Either marry your work – take it seriously and do it every day – or date it – write only when you feel like it – but know which you are doing and the repercussions of both.
- Anonymous
“Hey, you busy tomorrow night? You want to get together for a couple of hours, have some fun?”
- Or -
“To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.”
Which relationship am I in? Well, for about 25 years we dated. I was in love with writing, but I just couldn’t bring myself to commit. It was fun and all, but I always let other things come between us. Writing had other ideas though, and I eventually came to a point in my life when I had to choose. I stopped writing –cold turkey – and tried to live my life without it.
It’s hard to break a lifelong addiction though, and my will power sucks: I caved within a week. My family and friends all thought I was nuts but I realized I just couldn’t live without Writing in my life if I wanted to stay sane. It was time to get serious and take the plunge.
The ring was cheap - a box of pens and about two hundred sheets of paper; The engagement was short - less than a week; The honeymoon was about 20,000 words long, and we went to a truly magical and beautiful place.
Then the glitter wore off and reality set in. It was difficult at first – learning to live with one another day in and day out – but in time we began to work things out. Just like a spouse, Writing requires dedication and commitment. It’s work, real work. It might come easier to some than to others, but it still requires great attention and diligence, just like a marriage. You have to work on it every day, whether you’re in the mood or not. Just like a marriage too, you get out what you put in.
It’s easy to write.
It’s hard to write well.
It’s even harder still to write skillfully.
Take the time to be honest with yourself and with your writing. Know why you do it and what you expect to get out of it. The more honest you can be, the better the chances you will have a long and happy relationship, whether you just date or you wear a ring.
- Anonymous
“Hey, you busy tomorrow night? You want to get together for a couple of hours, have some fun?”
- Or -
“To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.”
Which relationship am I in? Well, for about 25 years we dated. I was in love with writing, but I just couldn’t bring myself to commit. It was fun and all, but I always let other things come between us. Writing had other ideas though, and I eventually came to a point in my life when I had to choose. I stopped writing –cold turkey – and tried to live my life without it.
It’s hard to break a lifelong addiction though, and my will power sucks: I caved within a week. My family and friends all thought I was nuts but I realized I just couldn’t live without Writing in my life if I wanted to stay sane. It was time to get serious and take the plunge.
The ring was cheap - a box of pens and about two hundred sheets of paper; The engagement was short - less than a week; The honeymoon was about 20,000 words long, and we went to a truly magical and beautiful place.
Then the glitter wore off and reality set in. It was difficult at first – learning to live with one another day in and day out – but in time we began to work things out. Just like a spouse, Writing requires dedication and commitment. It’s work, real work. It might come easier to some than to others, but it still requires great attention and diligence, just like a marriage. You have to work on it every day, whether you’re in the mood or not. Just like a marriage too, you get out what you put in.
It’s easy to write.
It’s hard to write well.
It’s even harder still to write skillfully.
Take the time to be honest with yourself and with your writing. Know why you do it and what you expect to get out of it. The more honest you can be, the better the chances you will have a long and happy relationship, whether you just date or you wear a ring.
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