January 4, 2010
- Rod Serling on Writing -
The process of writing cannot be juggled with another occupation. The job of creating cannot be compartmentalized with certain hours devoted to one kind of creation and other hours set aside for still another. Writing is a demanding profession and a selfish one. And because it is selfish and demanding, because it is compulsive and exacting, I didn’t embrace it. I succumbed to it.
Yeah, I agree. That’s why I don’t work. I am trying to emmulate writers that decided they were either going to make it as a writer or starve to death, Like Bukowski, Phillip K Dick, etc. Of course Bukowski worked off an on as a manual laborer, which I do also. I think its better to work really shitty demeaning jobs, going on welfare is good too, like R.Crumb. Once you have a secure “responsible” job, you are pretty much screwed.
I look at being an artist the same way, so that’s why I include Crumb.
I know there are obviously exceptions, but there is a lot to be said for burning bridges as a motivator. like getting a tattoo on your face, to ruin your chances of getting a real job outside of your creative passion.
Also its good to be Idle a lot punctuated by perionds of frenetic output.
Comment by Ted — January 4, 2010 @ 4:15 pm
Yeah, the fallow period is equally important. Was just saying that to a friend last night…
Comment by Ian — January 4, 2010 @ 4:33 pm
Right, so how do you have a “fallow peroid” while working 50 hours a week in a high stress job?
You either have to be an aristocrat or a bum, which oddly enough both often move in the same bohemian circles.
College student, bum, Trust fund baby…these are all good situations for artists/writers. But you do have to crank stuff out though eventually. Like write 12 hours a day for stretches.
Comment by Ted — January 4, 2010 @ 4:43 pm
It takes a lot of creativity. And a 40 an hour, low stress, work week. :)
Comment by Ian — January 4, 2010 @ 5:16 pm
“I didn’t embrace it. I *succumbed* to it.”
I love this. Those passionate about writing may be allured by it, but those who actually end up doing it? Maybe those are the ones who are stalked, pounced, and devoured.
Comment by Jaimin — January 4, 2010 @ 10:49 pm
I’m with Terry Pratchett:
‘If you can write two pages a day, you can write a book in six months’
:)
Comment by speedbird — January 5, 2010 @ 3:21 am
Do it to do it, otherwise you’ll just be disappointed.
Comment by Ian — January 5, 2010 @ 11:00 am
Agreed. In fact you can say that about any endeavour. Easily forgotten though, it seems.
Do you have writing plans beyond this weblog?
Comment by speedbird — January 6, 2010 @ 4:47 am
Umm, calling me on the carpet, are you speedbird? :)
Well, yes, I have plans for something beyond this blog, but don’t really know what it is yet. I still don’t feel that I’ve had enough experience to make anything truly great, and I’m trying to work out how to get through that difficulty. But yes, there are plans for something beyond this and a day job at some point.
Comment by Ian — January 6, 2010 @ 10:35 am
Heck, me too. (We can correspond offline if you like)
*
A good friend and true computer guru once gave me this advice on writing software. It seems perfectly applicable to fiction:
1. Write it.
2. Throw it away.
3. Now you know how to do it right, do it right.
*
I am reminded of the Nike slogan. Maybe they did mean ‘Do it to do it’; but I once had a boss who would end all arguments with ‘Just do it!’, the implication being ‘Do it because you’ve been told to do it’. Which is not the same thing at all. Ah well, that’s NLP for you.
Comment by speedbird — January 7, 2010 @ 3:46 am
And you know how if you JUST do something, it takes no time? Like you’re on your way out to the theatre and your partner says, ‘I’m JUST going to set the video’, or something?
:D
Comment by speedbird — January 7, 2010 @ 3:49 am
Part of me feels like this applies just as much to the process of living. But part of me thinks the idea that throwing away living is a possibility is what causes a lot of problems. Still, I like the advice. Fall down six times, get up seven. Its much better then never falling down at all.
That “just do it” boss wouldn’t be the same boss you’d mentioned on here previously, would it? ;) “Just Do It” should never require you to shut off your thinking, but to think while you do it.
You missed your showtime, didn’t you? :)
And I’ll email you, but give me a few days. Busy busy…
Comment by Ian — January 7, 2010 @ 10:09 am
>> wouldn’t be the same boss you’d mentioned on here previously, would it?
Maybe, maybe not. I collect them. :)
*
>> missed your showtime
Man, wish I could remember where I heard that one. :)
Comment by speedbird — January 7, 2010 @ 5:49 pm
Personally, I am hoping to NOT collect them. Only had two or three, thus far, keeping my fingers crossed.
Comment by Ian — January 7, 2010 @ 6:38 pm