Could not agree more! I write because I have to write. Not every time I sit down feels urgent or like creative juices are flowing, but it’s necessary for life 😊
It's amazing how much I recognise from what you're saying. I have started out with teaching several years ago, as a means to have some financial stability while developing and working on my writing, and it has remained a constant struggle to create a balance in which I can actually write. But it is getting better, I have even written a reflection piece on it not that long ago ( https://roberturbaschek.substack.com/p/stress-happiness-and-motivation), after I once again realised that I need to shift my balance and focus so that I can do what I really want to do, which is writing. It usually follows more difficult, busy periods, and me realising 'it's not working like this', changing something about my life and refocusing. The result is always more energy, more motivation to do everything. It's quite a journey, being a writer.
At one point I thought I could give up teaching and just write, but 1) I'm good at what I do and 2) I thrive on consistency and dependable income. So I just keep working on finding balance. I'm looking forward to summer break and finishing my camping memoir.
Hm yes I haven't figured that out for myself yet, am now going to shift the balance a bit away towards more writing, see where that takes me. Because it does bring / has brought me a lot with regards to the writing and the contact with people. As long as it is not to the detriment of the writing, and that is the part that I am still trying to figure out..
I love this, Sarah - saving it for future reference! I finished reading ‘On Writing’ for the first time in January, and was bowled over by everything - EVERYTHING! - King had to say. I’m keeping the book close to hand, as I know I’m going to be dipping in and out again.
Thank you so much for sharing your writing journey - your practice, your successes and your doubts - it’s such a privilege to gain insight into these things from a writer I admire. ⭐️
I started three different blog posts, saving quotes from the book as I went 😂 Even after 20 years, so much of the book remains helpful to the process, even if the publishing world has changed.
Could not agree more! I write because I have to write. Not every time I sit down feels urgent or like creative juices are flowing, but it’s necessary for life 😊
So we keep doing it.
It's amazing how much I recognise from what you're saying. I have started out with teaching several years ago, as a means to have some financial stability while developing and working on my writing, and it has remained a constant struggle to create a balance in which I can actually write. But it is getting better, I have even written a reflection piece on it not that long ago ( https://roberturbaschek.substack.com/p/stress-happiness-and-motivation), after I once again realised that I need to shift my balance and focus so that I can do what I really want to do, which is writing. It usually follows more difficult, busy periods, and me realising 'it's not working like this', changing something about my life and refocusing. The result is always more energy, more motivation to do everything. It's quite a journey, being a writer.
At one point I thought I could give up teaching and just write, but 1) I'm good at what I do and 2) I thrive on consistency and dependable income. So I just keep working on finding balance. I'm looking forward to summer break and finishing my camping memoir.
Hm yes I haven't figured that out for myself yet, am now going to shift the balance a bit away towards more writing, see where that takes me. Because it does bring / has brought me a lot with regards to the writing and the contact with people. As long as it is not to the detriment of the writing, and that is the part that I am still trying to figure out..
I love this, Sarah - saving it for future reference! I finished reading ‘On Writing’ for the first time in January, and was bowled over by everything - EVERYTHING! - King had to say. I’m keeping the book close to hand, as I know I’m going to be dipping in and out again.
Thank you so much for sharing your writing journey - your practice, your successes and your doubts - it’s such a privilege to gain insight into these things from a writer I admire. ⭐️
Thank you so much for the kind words ❤️
I started three different blog posts, saving quotes from the book as I went 😂 Even after 20 years, so much of the book remains helpful to the process, even if the publishing world has changed.
Love this. Yes. We write because we have to. Stephen King’s On Writing is glorious and profound. Ditto Mary Karr’s The Art of Memoir.
Here’s my take on writing: https://michaelmohr.substack.com/p/why-i-write-an-unpopular-perspective
I think I read your piece already 😊 It got me thinking. And rereading his book was just delightful.
Yeah, King is fantastic. I need to reread that again too.