[Writer Post] Another State of the Writer
It’s the Holiday Season…the state of the author is that this author is in a state, indeed, with trying to get everything done in a timely fashion. Which tends to mean, lack of brilliant insights. So bear with me on a randomish post (yes, again). Everything is coming to a head in the next week or so… I hope.
I have to mention one of the things I love most about being a writer… the stuff I get to do, read, watch, etc. in the name of research. Last week I wrote a piece for a fanzine (which I’m not sure is being used, but it was fun…) which required spending an evening re-reading some Lois McMaster Bujold. Now I’m working on something that meant I HAD 😎 to read The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. I’d never read the original book before. Cool…chalk on thing of the list of “Books I Have Not Read and Movies I Have Not Seen” List (yes, I’ve seen the movie.) In the past I was (awwww) “required” to rewatch Firefly to write a piece for Ben Bella (it wasn’t used, but I had to do the research, man). So cool. Sometimes I really love being a writer.
The times when it’s harder are times like now when I need to be working on three different writing projects, but the Day Job is draining. The Holidays are busy. All the good excuses – such as on Sunday, I’m playing a major part in my church’s Christmas Play. Fortunately OTHERS in the cast have professional and semi-professional acting experience (I do not). It’s a good play. It’s a GREAT experience working in another artistic medium (there are definitely techniques and tricks I can apply to writing). But it’s also taken up a lot of time and creative energy.
Yes, these are excuses. I admit it. Even established writers can run afoul of the excuse train. The thing is to not let the excuses win. I have a January deadline for a project. Deadlines take priority. So, they say the first step is admitting it… I’ve done that. Now, armed with that knowledge, I move forward because “knowing is half the battle. Go JOE!”
P.S. If you don’t have plans on Sunday, December 19 at 10 a.m. – you can come see me in said play at Arlington Community Church off Randol Mill and Fielder Rd. in Arlington TX.