Sep

2

Just do it.

Filed Under On writing, Struggles of the Writing Process 

I’ve been giving some thought to the struggles a writer faces throughout the process of writing. The frustration of the blank page, writer’s block, ideas with a beginning and no end, unrealistic dialogue…these can serve as a real downer, bruising a writer’s already fragile sense of confidence. A really determined writer will brush the dust off and work through these problems. However, I find there is one problem writers face that is toughest to work through: starting the writing process.

I have found this to be my biggest obstacle. An idea really doesn’t count for much until it hits the paper. I can blame my hesitation on a lack of available time, incomplete ideas, my inner editor, a lack of exigency or deadlines…but really, maybe it’s just a lack of will.

So I’ve decided to turn to the old 90’s NIKE slogan, “Just do it.” When I hear that phrase I think of a conference room with a long shiny expensive wooden table surrounded by the CEO, CFO, secretaries, and really nervous marketing types trying to come up with a slogan that will make people want to hop into overpriced shoes, work out, and change their lives. And I picture an intern in the back holding two steaming cups of coffee waiting for a break in the intense discussion about the company slogan so he can hand the cups to their owners. And as the debate builds and his hands continue to burn, his sweaty face yells out, “JUST DO IT!” There is a complete silence, which makes the intern forget about the burning coffee. And in that classic Hollywood moment, the CEO breaks the silence with one word: “Brilliant!”

But back to my point…there is no fix for a writer’s inability to begin writing. It’s all in our heads. Maybe we shouldn’t start writing until we have something we have to say, something that can’t go unwritten. And I’m sure we all have something we really want to say.

If we don’t, then we have bigger problems than struggling to start the writing process.

Comments

2 Responses to “Just do it.”

  1. Phil on September 2nd, 2008 4:21 pm

    You are completely right, we all need to start writing when we have something to say. But too many of us worry that what we have to say doesn’t matter.

    It may not seem important to someone else, it may not be groundbreaking, but my indictment of the yippy dog next door is just as worthy of the page as the great literary tragedy.

    Great post.

  2. Tony L. Jefferson Jr. on September 17th, 2008 9:46 am

    I had this problem a few days ago, i felt inclined to write something dealing with my race. The problem wit hthat is i grew up this race, so there are so many topics i can cover and it was overwhelming. I finally started to jot down some notes and all in all in came together into a poem Deeper than Skin Color, although i waned to do more, i actually came out with something worthwhile. You’ve highlighted an essential problem with writing, if we are determined to write it ideas will unlock and something beautiful will surface. Great post!

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