Recently a tweet buddy mentioned she was working on her latest WIP, and hoped it didn't act up like it did the previous day. I suggested it be put in timeout, or made to stand in the corner, and added the #badmanuscript hashtag.
Another friend joined in, and for the next several minutes, we tweeted as if our manuscripts were horrible children, and we used all the famous phrases parents use to corral miscreants.
It made us laugh, it sparked some great ideas, and it really kept the creativity going.
I got excited about how the words were dancing around, and it made me want to go work on my WIP.
All because it was FUN.
That's how writing should be. Too often, though, we focus on how hard writing can be. Don't get me wrong. It is hard work. That's what makes the effort worthwhile. And if it were easy, everybody would be doing it.
But sometimes we need the reminder that we got into this writing biz because we LIKED it. We got so caught up in our characters and their fun adventures that it didn't feel like work to us. In fact, it was a release from the workday travails. We were like giddy little kids making mud pies when we got to muck around with our manuscript.
Now we trudge around thinking what a mess that mud is making, and how we're going to have to spend all day cleaning things up. We've pretty much sucked out all the joy of writing. Is it any wonder our characters hide from us when we view our stories in this way?
So let's make mudpies today. Let's get excited about writing again, returning to those days when drafting our stories was the best form of enjoyment around. Starting today, let's have fun when we put those words on the page, and quit thinking of it as a chore to check off the To Do list.
After all, if we consider our work drudgery, how can a reader not feel that way too?
I can easily visualise you commiserating about your naughty WIPs! *LOL*
I do agree that writing needs to be fun.
If it is your main source of income, then you will be much richer if it remains fun.
If it is a part time activity then one should only write when the inspiration is there and the adrenalin is flowing. It will then remain fun.
If searching for inspiration, take a walk through the gorgeous Autumnal New England scenery, and think beautiful thoughts.
That's my mud pie for the day. *smile*
Posted by: Quantum | October 17, 2011 at 01:11 PM
Q, thanks for sharing your mud pie! I always love the gifts you bring. :)
Today it's a blustery New England day, and I decided to stay indoors with my pot of coffee, watching the leaves blow around while I'm snug and warm inside.
I'm making mudpies today with a novella, and some blog posts, and I'm having a lot of fun. A lovely, perfect day. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | October 17, 2011 at 01:31 PM
This is so true Donna. Too many times I sit down with a heart full of fear or dread, wondering if muse will bless me or curse me during my writing time. I would be better off approaching it with a devil-may-care attitude and just have fun with my story. Who cares if it won't sell or if it isn't good, what matters is if I love it. The rest can be fixed.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Kari Marie | October 17, 2011 at 11:46 PM
Kari Marie, I'm glad it inspired you. I know what you mean about the fear or dread--they're usually worse than anything I can dream up. LOL I think the devil-may-care attitude is what I'm shooting for now, too. :) My stories deserve that.
Posted by: Donna Cummings | October 18, 2011 at 12:29 AM
This might sound odd, but I think I have a much easier time making mudpies if I'm writing in the POV of a mudpie making type of character. LOL My heroines are usually a bit afraid of mudpies -- the poor worry-warts. :) So lately I've tried rewriting some scenes in the hero's POV and found I could play. She'll join in when she's ready. LOL
Posted by: Melissa | October 18, 2011 at 09:37 AM
Melissa, I think I know what you mean! My heroines are probably similar, so sometimes they have to be persuaded to jump into the mess. LOL But it's a great idea to explore the scene from the mud-pie-makers's POV. There's a lot to be learned there. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | October 18, 2011 at 10:11 AM
Exactly, Donna! I do feel like my heroines need some persuasion (is that how that's spelled?), which can seem like work on my part. Heck, I even stumble over how to spell it. LOL
Posted by: Melissa | October 18, 2011 at 10:37 AM
Well, when I said "persuasion", it was because I didn't want to say "coercion". LOL So similar, but it made me sound mean if I said I forced my characters to do something!
Posted by: Donna Cummings | October 18, 2011 at 12:27 PM