Write on the Run

It would be nice to have lots of contemplative time to shore up the writing life. What happens most of the time is flurry, work, write, edit, work, flurry, flurry, write, write, edit, sigh, sigh, edit, write, sigh, end.

 

I tell myself that, in order to have anything to write about, I need to live a real life. Real life includes lots of flurry and work. The disadvantage is the absence of contemplation. The advantage is that there’s no time to overthink. In other words, when I write in the midst of movement and even disorganization, I’m less able to get in my own way.

 

Journalists have been writing on the run since journalism was invented; sooner or later they figure out a flow right there in the flurry. Some really good stuff comes out of such a writing life.

 

So. I’m writing this blogpost five minutes before I leave the office for the weekend, which will include critical gardening tasks, editing work, and study for a major test. No leisurely stretches until Sunday, which I have declared a true Sabbath in that I don’t work, study, write, or edit on that day. Because, while I can write while fully in motion, I cannot live in constant motion without losing spiritual quality and a certain charitable glow I hope to maintain around loved ones and people in general.

 

Too busy to be creative? Just write the flurry and hope it flows. You’ll probably surprise yourself. Peace.

Comments

[Michele]

I wrote about twenty note cards of new material during parent teacher conferences yesterday. Some of the best ideas I've had in months. I think I write to survive.

[Vinita]

Atta girl! It's amazing what can happen when we are too tired, busy, distracted, etc. to defeat our own creativity! Blessings upon your flurrious days1

[Dianne]

I'm wondering if you would consider answering a question here on your blog. Knowing you're an editor, how do you navigate between a focus which requires technical prowess and your creative side? I've been working on a prayer book (a breviary of sorts) for our church over the past 4 months - writing parts, and mostly editing and coordinating the publishing of it. It's been a great experience overall. But, while I am passionate about editing, I feel like my creativity has about dried up and it's freaking me out! I'm about to take a leap into full-time freelance editing and yet I don't want to lose my creative outlet. Maybe I'm just too much of a one-track mind.