Like any other skill, writing is about 10% talent and 90% discipline. It would be very easy for me to claim that Age of Oppression is taking a long time because of demands of work. I could give a dozen excuses about life challenges and the weather and other people getting in the way. I could even claim a lack of inspiration or being ‘stuck’ with the plot. In the end, though, there is a only one reason it isn’t finished yet.
Lack of discipline
All the excuses above are perfectly valid, up to a point. I have a busy life and I’m trying to build a business. With the snow of this week, I’ve made several unplanned for trips to make sure my mother has everything she needs. Good reasons all.
The basic truth, however, is that I’m not making the time to write. I’m making time for other things. Just not Age of Oppression.
About that 90%
The 10% of writing which is talent is immense fun. Those days when I’m on a roll and the words are flowing are fantastic. They are also in the minority.
Most days, writing can be a bit of a slog. The words flow like… well, like set cement, if I’m honest. That is particularly the case at the moment, as I am working my way through the manuscript and checking for continuity.
It isn’t exciting and it isn’t fun. It’s dull, to be brutally honest.
That doesn’t make it any less important in the process of publishing the book. No one else will do it for me. In fact, even if I had a major publishing deal, I don’t suppose an editor would do it even then.
Discipline comes from planning
To get the writing done at these less inspiring times, then, requires me to make the time. For me, that means putting time in my diary to write. I have to deliberately book a slot of at least half an hour to do the hard graft required to get past this unappealing step in the process.
Half an hour, every day, chipping away at the editing process is all it takes to get to the point where it all becomes fun again.
Here’s to the next 10% moment!
Leave a Reply