Excuses, Excuses!
First, some news
I’ve set up a Facebook Group, called “Chapter One, Page One” linked to this blog. I feel that Facebook has a better set up for conversations and comments. I’m hoping, eventually, people will join and discuss what troubles they are having. It is kind of tough starting this journey. I know I can’t be the only one. So if you want in, click that link above and feel free to share with any others.
Another Point…
First, I have to say, I have found that some people think a blog (writing about writing) is pointless. This isn’t taking the place of my daily writing, or my hours of thinking over how to fix plot points in my big story I’m working on. It’s basically an online journal, and a place where maybe others can chime in. There is a lot of support, in form of groups and books, but mostly from published and experienced authors. It’s good advice at times (see last post), but I’m usually thinking, “Sure, but you’re an expert. It’s easy for you to say it now…”
Maybe Next Year….
So, I thought I’d list some of the excuses I’ve had over the years which have prevented me from getting working. Maybe you can relate to some of these.
- The easy one: “I’m not a good writer.”
- “There isn’t enough time.”
- “It’s a waste of time.”
- “I can’t think of anything good enough.”
- “Every story I come up with has already been done.”
- “I can’t be as good as <insert famous author’s name>, so why bother?”
- “I’m not going to be able to make any money off this like I want.”
- “There’s too much work making a decent story.”
- “Nobody would want to read the kind of stuff I’d write, anyway.”
- “I don’t want to do it ‘wrong.'”
- “Okay, but I’ll start when I have more time this <weekend, summer, etc.>.”
- “I’m not any good…wait, did I say that already?”
Who cares?
A lot of these can be crippling or utterly devastating. I see many of these in my 3rd grade students every time we do writing. To them, it’s a chore and something they just know they’re no good at. I try to give them that “spark” that lets them just go for it, but it’s tough. Every kid (or writer in general) responds differently to this kind of coaxing, and really has to go on that journey alone, somewhat.
In the end, these excuses don’t really matter. Do we say these excuses when we doodle in a sketch pad? Or when we just “throw something together” in the kitchen? And should it being hard work throw us off? I’ve found that if a story really feels like work…like pushing that boulder up the steep hill…then maybe it’s not the story you should be writing.
Again, I tell my students this all the time. If you aren’t excited and having fun with your own writing, there’s no way your reader will be.
And I’m a teacher, father of three, and 37 years old. It’s kind of late in my life to be looking for some kind of fame and fortune. Would it be nice to make a few bucks, maybe pay off some credit card debt? Sure. But mostly, it’s about the challenge of envisioning something and making it happen. There’s nothing like finally finishing a story and being proud of it. Now, to be honest, I’m scared of taking the next step toward publishing. But if I’ve learned anything, it’s that things should be taken one step at a time.
Start with Chapter One, Page One and go from there.
