A Writer’s Resolutions

Almost every writer I know begins the year saying they’re going to write more, manage their time better, stay on a writing schedule, come up with ideas that will wow their agent, waste less time, write more, write more, write more… Sound familiar? Do you make these promises to yourself at the beginning of a new year? Did you last year? And the year before?

And the crucial question—did anything change. DID you write more, establish a writing schedule, etc., and stick with it? No? Neither did I.

What’s the deal? I’m told Stephen King has no problems staying on a writing schedule and writing up a storm. But maybe he’s the exception?

Right now, I’m working on a project that needs rewriting. I know it needs a rewrite and I’ve told myself that as the new year begins, with the holiday season over, I’ll buckle down and start writing instead of baking cookies. And I’m going to. Any day now.

But, as my husband reminds me, I’m writing all the time. We’ll be talking about something and, apparently, he’ll see me not pay complete attention to him and then he’ll smile, “You’re thinking about your story, aren’t you?” And, nine times out of ten, he’s right. And that’s the pattern I’ve noticed: even when I’m in a conversation with someone, I’m working on a story point.

There must be a part of a writer’s brain that’s wired to keep working—all the time. I find myself saying, “Sorry?” to people in conversation because I’ve lost track of what they’re saying and need them to repeat themselves. Why? Because I’ve stopped listening to them and started to listen to my ideas.

Impolite? Sure. But it is what it is. I had a boyfriend once who, seeing me stretched out on the sofa, smiled at me as he walked by, “You’re writing right now, aren’t you?” And I was.

Writing. It’s not just about putting words on paper. It’s about preparing to put words on paper. And that’s a 24/7 proposition. Because you’re doing it when you’re dreaming at night, too. Ever wake up and after a few moments have the way to solve a story problem that you thought unsolvable yesterday? Well, you worked on it while you were sleeping.

It’s a bit selfish, when you think about it. After all, you’re not concentrating on the people around you 100%, you’re stealing time from them to work on your own stuff. And why?

Wish I knew.

But there’s something about being wired to say something. Writers want to say something about people, the world, about what’s funny or horrific… writers want to say something.

So maybe your new year’s resolution shouldn’t be to write more, but instead should be to harness your daily life to give you more opportunities to dream about what you want to say. Because when it becomes strong enough, you’ll find a way to say it, and the words will finally get on the paper.

Happy new year!!

Copyright © Diane Lake

03Jan21

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