“You must write every single day of your life… You must lurk in libraries and climb the stacks like ladders to sniff books like perfumes and wear books like hats upon your crazy heads… may you be in love every day for the next 20,000 days. And out of that love, remake a world.” – Ray Bradbury
It’s Monday, my first official day back in the office. And suddenly, that makes me wish that I’d accomplished more over the last two weeks.
Needless to say, but you know I’ll say it anyway, it was a difficult holiday season. But now we have to move on.
That means I’ve got to take a serious look at this writing thing. I’ve realized that I do a lot more talking about writing here than I do actual writing.
The truth is, the acting in 2014 took away some of the focus on the writing. Don’t read this the wrong way. I’m not dropping the focus on the acting. Instead I need to find a balance where I’m able to do both.
That means better planning.
For a long time I told myself that I’d do better at this with an iPad or a tablet. Maybe so. And I told myself with each writing or acting check that was the plan. Instead that money went to car repairs or vet bills or tuition. It’s all good. At least the extra work allowed me to cover those unexpected expenses.
The truth is, I don’t need another gadget to focus on the writing. I need more discipline. So, here’s what I’m committing to in 2015.
1. More consistent and relevant blog posts. That means you won’t just hear me talk about how I miss Sherlock, or how I’ve got too much to do.
2. More aggressive pursuit of freelance opportunities. I’ve already started pursuing some online options and I’ve sent my other editors an email that basically says “use me.”
3. More consistent work on the novels. At least weekly, if not daily. One of them will get finished this year. Published may be a different story.
4. Writing at least 1,000 words in one of the above or in a journal.
These aren’t resolutions. I don’t do them, remember?
This is a plan. A plan that may be modified. And, a plan that may be written about should said modification occur.
It won’t be easy. Nothing worthwhile ever is.
I’ll have to compete for writing time with my rehearsal schedule, my work schedule, my household chore schedule. And, oh yeah, my fitness and physical therapy schedule.
But, if I’m going to call myself a writer, then I need to write.
Sounds simple, doesn’t it? I wish.
Writing is easy. Writing consistently, and writing well is hard.
I should know.
I’m a writer.
“A writer is someone for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people.” – Thomas Mann, Essays of Three Decades