Some of the best advice Robin Black (go buy If I Loved You I Would Tell You This before continuing) ever gave me, was on the importance of “treating your inner writer.”
While I’m sure she said this in a far more elegant (and possibly award-winning) way, she made this fantastic point in one of our creative writing classes about how necessary it is to give yourself little rewards for doing… well, just about anything when it comes to your writing. It’s something I’ve carried with me ever since those graduate school days.
It’s a simple concept really, but an important one.
Writing is a pain. As much as I love it, sitting down and dedicating a solid few hours to working on my new book, drafting up another essay, or fiddling around with blogs on Geekadelphia… it takes a lot of effort. There are so many other things I would rather be doing. I live in an awesome city, full of amazing restaurants and cultural events. My friends are all social media addicts, and are easily accessible as distractions. There is always something more fun to engage in that isn’t the solitary act of slumping over my netbook and gazing at that intimidating, glowing screen.
As the weather gets cold and I just want to stay inside, treating myself has become a serious means of motivation, and Robin’s advice has been on my mind in a big way.
I find its easier to tear myself away from, say, a game of Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, when I’m promising myself a tall gingerbread spiced latte at Starbucks. The urge to order delivery and watch a movie is negated by treating myself to tortilla chips from El Fuego, a local burrito joint, and writing by the restaurant’s front window. I force myself out to the Green Line Cafe for a hot tea whenever new episodes of my favorite shows hit Hulu Plus, telling myself I can watch them after I finish at least an hour of writing there.
There’s this joke I like to bring up, from Family Guy, about writers having to write in public because OMG how else would people know they were writers. It’s hilarious and probably true for some people. For me, I’m out and about treating myself so I will write.
Shrug.
Like I said, the idea is simple. Whether you’re fussing over a book, an essay, a blog post, or a poem (or broem, sup Brian), remember to treat your inner writer. You’ll feel better about yourself, and get work done.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Why not write in a notebook and take a break from looking at that glowing screen? Probably hard to do for long periods of time but just a thought.
Sigh, okay. If you insist. And yes, longhand in a notebook is my preferred method.