I have been writing more lately. Which is a relief, because there was a period when I wasn’t writing much at all. (I’m speaking of The Novel.)
At times it is easier not to write, which I suppose you could say of anything. There are responsibilities and interests outside of work and writing that easily take up space. Sometimes it is easier to follow these paths instead of writing at a laptop when I’ve been sitting at a computer for most of the day already. But there is still an urgency to the art; whether placed there by myself or God.
I am not writing thousands of words each day. I’m not even sure of the direction of everything I’m writing. But this is how it used to be, before my first novel came together as it did. It begins with lots of loose threads. Soon, I will need to tie them together. But not yet.
Up until recently, I had been so focused on trying to sort out the details of the novel that the actual writing didn’t happen; each time I sat down to write, I was overwhelmed.
Lately, I’ve just been opening the word document and writing anything. It all fits into the scope of the story, but maybe not everything will end up in the story. That’s okay; that’s how it goes! I love that it is enjoyable, and that it’s happening at all.
It is said that when you aren’t in the habit of writing, you need to let yourself write badly. The good will appear, eventually. I think sometimes we also need to let ourselves write without pressure. Of course there is room for discipline, or deadlines, but there also need to be times when we are reminded of what we love and why. I had been letting writing become another obligation that overwhelmed me. But no more!
I have also been trying to read more, but in a different way. I’ve been rereading parts of books that inspired me when I first read them. In recent times I have been reading more non-fiction, which is helpful in it’s own way, but there is something to be said for reading the types of books you want to write. I don’t want to read so much fiction that I lose my writing voice, but I also don’t want to forget that which pushes me forward.
I am looking forward to reading and writing this weekend. I will find the time.
Sarah xx
the softest words 
Amen, sister! Get the words on the page! And shrug off the deadlines!
I’ve gradually learned to let writing wax and wane in my life depending on what’s going on. I keep different projects on hand that scratch different parts of the creative itch: my book, poetry, blogging, reading fantasy/fiction/nonfiction/poetry, submitting my poetry to literary journals for publication. All these things are important to me, and I realized one day that instead of trying to do all of them at once, I can take them in seasons. Sometimes those seasons are short (like right now, when I’m taking a few days off writing my book to submit poetry). Sometimes they’re long (like last year, when I put my book on the shelf during pregnancy, because for some reason those don’t coexist very well). And then I work on something else.
Also, my first draft of my novel was just like you described…lots and lots of loose threads. Now I’m in the gathering them up and weaving them together phase. How’s it going for you?
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Thank you so much for your thoughtful response! What a timely and true reminder. I am currently finding the motivating to continue writing even though it feels difficult at the moment; I think I just need to give myself the space to write without editing or worrying about where the story is going.
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