Me, me, me, me, me!



Pat Davids here?






The question of the month is what affects my writing? That’s a loaded question this year. I could name a number of things that have affected me recently, but the biggest thing that affects how I write is...ME.

I’m the one who plays spider solitaire for hours when my deadline is looming. I’m the one who decides the kitchen floor needs scrubbing again tonight or that the closets have to be organized this very day and I must go shopping for baskets and shelves at once. I guess it’s a good thing I have deadlines or my house would never get cleaned. I’d like to blame my poor writing on something else, but I’m the one putting too few or poorly chosen words on paper.

However, the same goes for my good writing. I’m the one responsible for painting vivid scenes and happily-ever-after endings. It’s my talent, it’s my drive, it’s my dream.

My life is well suited to writing at this time. I only work at the hospital when I want to. I don’t have kids who have to be driven to ballet lessons or soccer practice, or both in one night. I’m in a good place as the writing life goes, but I honestly got more done when my writing had to be squeezed in between work and family.

Years ago, when my dreamed seemed almost within reach, when I could almost taste it, I worked harder. I wanted it so badly. Then, like a large plum falling into my lap, I got that first sale. My drive has slowly gone downhill since that time. But that’s just me. I guess I need a new plum to go after, to work for, to struggle for. I’ve always worked better under pressure.

What about you? Do you work better or less effectively under pressure? Is writing pressure or a pleasure?

7 comments:

Rox Delaney said...

Yes, spider solitaire! And hidden object games. And googling anything.

I hear ya, Pat. Loud and clear. ☺

Joan Vincent said...

Add in free cell too! I definitely write more when under a deadline. Pat, if you find where that "drive" is, forward a link to me!

Rox Delaney said...

Yeah, Pat, if you can find it, bottle it, and you'll never have to write (unless you feel like it) again.

Pat Davids said...

My drive is in the ditch today. I worked 16 hours last night at the hospital and the four hours of sleep I got so far today isn't helping much. I'm off to mow the lawn. In March! How sick is that?

Reese Mobley said...

So basically you're saying if you don't have double D's you won't be successful? You know, double D's? Drive and Determination.

Penny Rader said...

So...what if let yourself write something for fun, something not Amish? Or...what if you don't let yourself write at all until you just can't stand it anymore?

I do better with a little bit of pressure, but not a lot of pressure, not "I need it right now" kind of pressure.

The pleasure parts of writing for me are researching and flipping through magazines/Pinterest and revising.

Melissa Robbins said...

I love writing. Even if I never sold a book, I would still write.