Writers often ask each other, especially those who have successfully published their work, whether they have a writing discipline. At a recent retreat writers asked each other this question. The answers were thoughtful and enlightening. It was the kind of conversation about writing I wish every writer could hear and participate in. One writer said she dislikes the word discipline as it conveys a rigidity that doesn’t suit the sensibility of artistic expression. She prefers the term ritual, meaning that she follows steps she has initiated that bring her to her writing as a way to prepare herself for creativity. These steps can be as simple as making good coffee or watching the birds for a few minutes, playing with a cat or listening to music. Other writers said they have a practice, which meant beginning to write at a certain time or writing a set number of pages. Some writers offered that they like to get up very early and write before any other obligations claim their time. Other writers admitted that their preferred writing time came late in the afternoon or late at night when the house was quiet. Many of the writers at the retreat wanted to know if others wrote every day. Some answered yes, others no. Neither answer defined who wrote or published more.
What the discussion reinforced for me was that each writer has their own time and way of arriving at their writing. Life requires us to focus on so many things and those requirements demand various amounts of attention, time and problem solving. Our writing deserves our respect and determination, but there is no one way that writers resolve their need to write. Designating specific time to write is a way to offer our creativity respect. How we do that is as individual as rising at 4:00 a.m., staying awake until 2:00 a.m., sitting in a parking lot for twenty minutes before going grocery shopping, or attending a weekly writing workshop. Devoting what we can to our writing is being true to a practice. The one thing that keeps us from claiming ourselves as writers is feeling like we don’t measure up to a discipline prescribed by others. I know that I am devoted to my writing because I fall in love every time I sit down to do it, even when it’s hard. Devotion, for me, suits the way I come to the page: a kind of dance where mostly I don’t lead.
Upcoming Events
February Retreat Malibu, California: February 3 – 6, 2020 All writers welcome, no matter the genre or experience level. This is your time to celebrate your writing! Please join me for this mid-winter getaway! https://www.writingfulltilt.com/retreats/
Weekly Workshops Amherst, Massachusetts: Thursday Evenings & Friday Mornings, beginning September 19 & 20, 2019 https://www.writingfulltilt.com/workshops/
Online Weekly Workshops: Monday Evenings beginning September 16, 2019. https://www.writingfulltilt.com/online-workshop/
August Retreat Hawley, Massachusetts: August 9 – 12, 2020 Four days of writing bliss. The setting is perfect for allowing your writing to emerge! https://www.writingfulltilt.com/retreats/
Prompt Photo
