Remaining sane as
a writer-- Wow, I am considered sane? Ummm…okay let me think about this. First you
must have a sense of humor in regards to yourself and others. You cannot
take yourself too seriously or you will crack before you even start to get any
momentum. Writing is as much about
heartache and pain as it is about fulfillment and joy. You need to roll with
the punches to get from one to the other, or you will burn out quickly.
You must have confidence
in yourself and what you are doing. If
you do not have confidence in what you are writing, why would expect anyone
else? Now there is a difference between confidence and arrogance. It is
imperative that you know the difference. Confidence is pride in your work. You
have done your best and want to share it with others because it is your heart
and your love. Arrogance is sharing something because you believe it to be the
best, and you are of the opinion that people will want to read it simply
because it is superior in some regard.
Resilience is an absolute necessity. An artist’s life, whether you are a musician,
writer, or painter, is a life filled with self doubt and rejection. It is the
reality of a choice each of us makes.
Due to this you must be able to bounce back, rebound from disappointment,
and start again. Not because you can, but because you must.
Another important
attribute is the ability to be flexible, in your work, your choices and
in your life in general. Life is not a straight line from beginning to end, and
neither is writing. Things, ideas, and routes change, and you need to be able
to change with them. This is imperative.
Being rigid has its rewards. However, rigid walls quickly turn into a
box, closing off your muse and muting a plethora of possibilities. Flexibility
is an asset, and should be used as such. The more flexible you are, the broader
your horizons.
The Boy Scout
motto is always be prepared. The muse will strike when least expected,
and if you are not prepared brilliance can pass you by. Don’t think you
can remember it all because you can’t.
So plan, prepare, and always be ready to hit the ground running.
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