When you’re tired of staring at your computer
Their question:
MJ, I have stacks of journals because I've always been drawn to writing out my presenting thinking and feeling. But I've never been naturally drawn to codifying that into some coherent, publishable work.
I've been reading Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert and trying to find reason to move toward a coherent, publishable work despite the lack of natural attraction to the activity.
I can get interested in notions like understanding larger trends and patterns, bringing forth new insights and conclusions, understanding myself better, bringing closure.
But the big hangup that I haven't gotten over or around yet is having to sit in front of a computer to do it. It's much easier now than a few years ago to move my written word into typed text, but still...I already spend so much time staring at the light box!
My answer:
Okay, if the question on the surface here is “can I avoid the exhausting step of sitting in front of the computer to transcribe and edit my writing?”, then the answer is “yes, if you’re able to pay someone to do it for you.”
But that’s obviously not the real challenge.
I hear a challenge with motivation. What seems clear to me is that you have some motivation to cohere your ideas into a book—enough that it’s bothering you that you can’t get over the hump, but not enough to get you over that hump. You’re aware of what you are and aren’t “drawn to”, what you’re trying to “find reason” for, what you can “get interested” in.
But I hear you mostly focused on your motivations to do this for yourself, and how satisfying it will be to craft your scattered ideas into something coherent and whole.
Sincere question: what are your motivations for doing this for readers?
I don’t doubt that you have those motivations. I don’t doubt that there are aspects of your writing that will be meaningful to readers. I don’t doubt that what you’ve written is worthy of readers’ time.
But, at least from what you’ve written to me, I’m not aware that you’ve tapped into readers as a source of energy.
I wonder if they would provide the push you need to get over your hump.
A lot of the people I talk with about writing (students, clients, amateur writers, professional writers) think they’re “protecting” their work by keeping it to themselves until it’s “ready”. Until it’s “perfect”. But, like Rapunzel locked away in the tower, the writing suffers from having never been exposed to the world.
Now, let’s talk about ways you might do that safely and productively:
I recommend you share it within a small environment with clear boundaries. A writers group comprising people you don’t live or work with. A course with a well-respected teacher and clear terms of engagement. A few trusted readers who will give you the straight scoop, but kindly. Whoever you bring it to, I recommend you share it with A) clear, specific needs and questions, B) an openness to unexpected responses, and C) enough discernment to accept feedback “from where it comes”.
My hope for you is that the reception you receive does two things: that it encourages you to keep going, and frustrates you enough that you can’t help but tinker with the thing so that the next draft lands with readers more effectively. Those things paired together might give you enough juice to push through…
…even if it means sitting in front of the light box.
