10 Writing Joys
A couple of months ago I put out a blog called 10 Writing Roadblocks. It focused on the struggles of writing, common frustrations, and well, roadblocks that writers can commiserate with. But for anyone who knows me they’ll tell you I’m an insanely positive person – so I just couldn’t leave things there. While the writing process isn’t all Fro-Yo and glitter, there are some incredible moments in the process that are matched by none.
With that in mind, let’s throw on our love-goggles and gush over all the reasons writers love to write. Below are 10 writing joys – some of them quite possibly made you fall in love with writing in the first place.
#1 Who’s Alone?
This one is hard to explain to non-writers: when we’re completely immersed in our work, it’s not uncommon to come up for air and become shocked that we’ve been alone for so long. Why? Because after playing in an active world surrounded by fascinating characters, it feels quite the opposite! While this is never a substitute for actual human connection, writers could have all the fulfillment they need for the next few days with a laptop and some food.
#2 King of the World!
You have the power to choose whatever you’d like to explore with no limits except for the imagination. What world would you like to visit each day? Who do you want to spend hours and hours with? Instead of that annoying co-worker who talks on the phone too loud (learn to whisper, Frank!), you get to hang out with the most interesting people on your planet.
#3 That’s What She Said
You’ve designed your characters and the world they live in with precision. Your story has been masterfully outlined. And while it appears that you’re the puppet master for this journey, you come to realize that the inmates have started to run the asylum. They say and do things that surprise you, their interactions do not go the way you planned, but they have come to life so vividly that you surrender. You just sit back and let them show you how the story is going to go.
#4 Oh, I’m good…
Writers can be their toughest critics but every once in a while something magical happens: you stumble across something you’ve written a while ago and decide to read it with fresh eyes, just for fun. And as you read it hits you… You’re good. Like really good. The jokes are funny, the characters are original, and that twist ending? You almost didn’t see it coming.
#5 Lemonade Anyone?
No matter how optimistic you are there are certain events in our lives that are hard to understand why they occurred at all – even after the passing of time. Then one glorious day you get to use that traumatic, embarrassing, or confusing situation in a story and the specificity of it is absolute gold. Because this happened to you, you’re able to use it to connect with people on a deeper level, helping them not feel so alone. Then all of a sudden that negative event becomes positive and significant.
#6 Like Honey
This joy is perhaps one of the most therapeutic and exciting (like ‘the honeymoon stage’ exciting). The words burst out of you onto the page and your only worry is that your fingers can’t type fast enough. Everything inside of you pours onto the page and the energy of it all is electric. You go into a trance-like state only to find pages full of words when you snap out of it.
#7 Journaling Joys
Writers have the unique ability to dump their emotions onto the page. While anyone can do it, we have the comfort and experience that only comes from having worked this muscle day in and day out. Unlike writing a book, the writer’s journal is for their eyes-only and can offer a similar experience to sitting with a therapist who just keeps saying, “and how did that make you feel?” Over and over again – without the expensive bill.
#8 Rubik’s Cube
We all know what it’s like to bang our head up against a wall in this process. A story feels doomed because every possible solution just doesn’t feel right. Something’s not working and after feeling stuck for a long period of time you think about throwing in the towel. Until that moment that suddenly happens in the shower, or the car, or in the middle of the night – when you pop up and say, “I got it!”
#9 Freedom of Perfected Speech
How many times have we FINALLY found a perfectly witty response to a conversation that happened hours (or even days) after it occurred? Writers get to live vicariously through their characters, giving them brilliant responses to humiliate their enemy, romance the love interest, or just let them completely and articulately express their true feelings.
#10 Homework
Writing on the couch in our PJ’s with a cup of coffee and some nice music in the background isn’t a bad gig. These days – however many there are for you – should be treasured, as others are quite possibly dealing with a long commute, an angry boss, or loud co-workers (Frank, we’re talking about you!). Writing from home or your coffee shop of choice is an honor and a privilege.
Feel like staying in the love zone? Check out 5 Ways to Fall in Love With Writing Again.
David L. Hancock, Founder
Morgan James Publishing