Motivation - 2

Last week we talked about how difficult it is, at times, to be motivated to write. And boy, can it be difficult! I mean, how much easier to watch Star Trek reruns, or binge watch Inventing Anna? Or lay by the pool, or hit the neighborhood bar, or go to the gym, or play Words with Friends.

Time. Life is all about time. And, for each of us, our life is about how we use that time.

James Taylor famously wrote, “The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time” in a song that always pumps me up when I’m feeling a bit down. Take a look at him performing the song—I promise you, it’s worth your time: https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=yHWHPPHpAj8

Great song, right? And, for me, a very good way of looking at life and what it’s all about.

One of the things he says is “try not to try too hard”… which I wonder about, because if we’re trying to use our time effectively, shouldn’t we try hard? Even too hard?

I’ve read many a writer talk about how they “don’t” write—they organize their desk, they make calls, they go to Staples to buy more printing paper, they have a nutritious lunch. After all, you gotta eat, right? In fact, maybe you should call a fellow writer to join you for lunch, then you could talk about writing. That would be close to writing, right?

And suddenly, the day is over and you’ve written zilch.

But oh! The exquisite struggle.

Taylor also notes that Einstein said he could “never understand it all”… which is a wise thing to see. But here’s the thing—it didn’t stop Einstein from doing stuff. But what does that look like to an outsider?

Imagine being a fly on Einstein’s wall—what would seeing him work look like?

I contend that you wouldn’t be able to see him work. His work—like a writer’s—was internal. You don’t see it. This is one reason why, when people make documentaries about making a film, no one ever looks at the writer’s portion. I mean, how boring! Point a camera into a writer’s office and watch him/her… type. Stop and think. Print out something. Rip it up. Type some more. Look out the window, sit in a chair and think some more. Imagine months of this—doesn’t make for a very exciting film, right?

An old boyfriend said to me once, as he was walking through the living room and I was supine on the sofa, “You’re writing now, aren’t you?”

And I was.

Writing is about a lot more than words on a page—it’s about the incredible amount of time you spend thinking out the plot lines, living with your characters as they talk in your head, rearranging your story, etc., etc.

Wait a sec—are we any closer to figuring out motivation… maybe… not sure… what do you think?

Let’s continue the journey next week and see where we get to. In the meantime, listen to James Taylor sing his song again and see if you get inspired.

Copyright © Diane Lake

17Apr22

Email Diane a question to Diane@DianeLake.com