Any serious writer who hears these words wants to stab themselves in the ear with a stylus and skewer their brain.
The reason is simple: If you’re committed to your craft, you write NO MATTER WHAT mood you find yourself in.
A serious writer sets aside a time everyday, velcros their behind to their seat of choice and attempts to bring their A-game. They write that death scene even if they are light-spirited enough to polka. They may darken the windows, play a dirge set to a funeral march to induce a temporary mourning atmosphere but they do not abandon writing altogether because they got happy. They uphold the Hypergraphic Oath sworn on the freak day they decided to become a writer and by the Goatee of Shakespeare, would rather impale themselves on a quill than have their commitment questioned!
Having said that, I’m not rejecting anger, depression, sadness as triggers or entry points for writing. Some of the greatest literature has been written by depressed and suicidal writers (Hemmingway, Plath, Poe, Melville, Baudelaire, among others) and we know their depression cost them dearly. I am arguing against the romanticized notion that wallowing in melancholic isolation is the only way to write. For most writers, depression can be crippling and unmotivating. There is enough self-doubt, self-criticism and myriad insecurities going on as it is. Beyond cathartic writing, it IS possible for a writer to be productive in positivity. In fact, a writer must experience a range of emotions in order to infuse their work with maturity and depth. But to think that depression is part of being a writer and you have to suffer for your art is just so much hogwash. And unhealthy.
I meet alot of once-upon-a-time writers who talk as if being in a good place in life has mysteriously switched off some creative plug in them, as if being miserable is some sort of precondition for writing. As if the only writer worth his/her salt is the one that lives a life of agonized torment.
These are the people that keep asking me if I’m ok.
Until next week. Write on! 🙂
Michelle Sherlock
Zakia – I am with you on writing regardless and that happiness doesn’t preclude writing. I have to confess though that my most powerful poetry has traditionally been written when I am at my lowest. More recently I have had to challenge myself to shake off insipid writing and get to the heart of it all now I am happier. It has required greater effort for poetry although not so much for other forms of writing.
Zakia R. Khwaja
Michelle, it appears you are now at a stage in your writing where you have overcome the challenges and disciplined yourself to write no matter what mood you find yourself in. That is significant. I wish you the best for future writing endeavours. Thank you for your comment! 🙂
Dip
Nice…but
Zakia R. Khwaja
But?