Is writing a chore?

[Chicklet]

This isn't so much directed at people who are paid to write. With me, sometimes I feel like I *have* to produce something, and I feel guilty when I don't. Writing becomes a chore, and I just sit and stare at my open word program, wishing that all the ideas I have could turn themselves into stories without me having to do any of the work. It's frustrating, and it takes away the enjoyment. Why should I write if I'm not enjoying it?

Anyone have similar experiences or thoughts on the subject?

-Chicklet

 

[Wantonica]

Chicklet,

If my mind goes blanker than the paper in front of me, I write about something silly until the words start flowing again. For example, yesterday I wrote a story from my dog's POV. It was about her dislike of afternoons (the hours when she sits in front of the window awaiting our return). After a few paragraphs, I was able to return to other subjects.

Happy day,
Wantonica

 

[Quasimodem]

I DO write for pay, and in that, Wantonica's method of writing-through a block works for me. I don't mean silly stuff, but I keep writing, knowing it is bad, until I see the better point of attack. I have even written an entire piece badly, that I changed vastly while editing. Turned out, I got several compliments for that item. If they only know.

Writing - my own stories - is always a joy. (Nothing forces me to, other than my will to do the job.)

Editing can sometimes be a chore, but the rewards - for me - are always outweighed by the benefits.

Proofreading - for me - is the pisser!

 

[Kostly]

I never do writing for a living, and I know I am not good enough to do so either... so If I dont want to write, I dont.

 

[TheEarl]

I just cycle through all of my current unfinished stories. If I find I haven't anything to write, then I'll close down my computer and do something else. Probably why I never get much done .

The Earl

 

[Quint]

Yes, and that's a big reason why I continue to stay involved as an editor but feel little guilt about backing off from creating new works myself. Too much freakin' pressure for me. ('Course, I bet I'm the author with the fewest number of submissions on this thread.)

Chicklet, my boyfriend knows exactly how much I need to write sometimes and how easy it is to ignore that need. He'll often set me writing assignments to pull me back into the mood, sometimes with a topic/character of his own devising, sometimes freewriting. Writing for a very specific purpose like that usually has my writings glands flowing in no time.

 

[Svenskaflicka]

Hey, I'm here at Lit as a way of crushing the writer's block I've had for years..!

 

[deliciously_naughty]

I'm with Quasi...proofreading is the pain in the ass

But writing can sometimes feel like a chore...like when I'm writing a paper for class on a subject that I have no interest in writing a paper upon.

 

[Svenskaflicka]

I love creating a story, and writing it down on paper, but I hate having to type it down on the computer. Writing the same story twice is as boring as doing the dishes every day.

Svenskaflicka
Whose kitchen sink looks like a disaster area

 

[KillerMuffin]

If writing becomes a chore, quit. Unless you depend on the money make from it, there's no reason to try to force yourself to do something you don't feel like doing at the moment. Guilt, stress, and that everpresent "I Have to do it!" have a nasty way of making the block worse. It also has a way of making you resentful, though you tend to resent your writing rather than the feelings that come from it.

No one says you have to quit forever. Just quit for a while. Don't turn on the word processor. Do something that makes you feel good. You should never force yourself to do something that makes you feel bad (barring certain necessary situations like vaccinations and visits to the parentals).

 

[fiery_jack]

This isn't so much directed at people who are paid to write. With me, sometimes I feel like I *have* to produce something, and I feel guilty when I don't. Writing becomes a chore, and I just sit and stare at my open word program, wishing that all the ideas I have could turn themselves into stories without me having to do any of the work. It's frustrating, and it takes away the enjoyment. Why should I write if I'm not enjoying it?

Anyone have similar experiences or thoughts on the subject?

-Chicklet

Most things in life, besides breathing and blinking, are a chore. Writing just happens to be one i undertake willingly.

My difficulty isn't so much getting words down, it's actually finishing anything. *shrug*

 

[deliciously_naughty]

I love creating a story, and writing it down on paper, but I hate having to type it down on the computer. Writing the same story twice is as boring as doing the dishes every day.

Svenskaflicka
Whose kitchen sink looks like a disaster area

Which is why i like to type directly into my handy dandy laptop But when I write longhand I also dislike typing it back into the computer. On the other hand it allows to me to do some editing.

 

[Guest]

Misery? I can't recall writing ever being a chore or not pleasurable. Even at work I enjoy the composition of well written, even witty, memorandum. Posting to Lit. is fun writing (usually ).

Perdita

Jas. Caan

 

[Chicklet]

If writing becomes a chore, quit. Unless you depend on the money make from it, there's no reason to try to force yourself to do something you don't feel like doing at the moment. Guilt, stress, and that everpresent "I Have to do it!" have a nasty way of making the block worse. It also has a way of making you resentful, though you tend to resent your writing rather than the feelings that come from it.

No one says you have to quit forever. Just quit for a while. Don't turn on the word processor. Do something that makes you feel good. You should never force yourself to do something that makes you feel bad (barring certain necessary situations like vaccinations and visits to the parentals).

thank you km.

 

[MathGirl]

Originally posted by KillerMuffin If writing becomes a chore, quit. there's no reason to try to force yourself to do something you don't feel like doing at the moment.

During the time (last fall and winter) when I was finishing my research and writing my dissertation, I wrote and posted quite a few things here. Writing smut and silliness was a welcome break from the ennui and drudgery of science.

I'm finished with the science for a while, and I can't get myself worked up to write smut/silliness either. I'm really in a noncreative rut.
MG
Ps. I know exactly what I need, but I won't be with him until October.
Pps. I just realized that I've replaced doing science and smut with hanging around here being a wiseass, thread killer, and general pest. I hope you all can put up with me for a little longer. About two months. Then I'll get married, settle down, and ....... be married and settled down, and ......... ?

 

[sirhugs]

not a chore, but an appetite ( addiction?) which must be fed, so I know how you feel Chicklet....

 

[Guest]

different, yet toes still wet

Chicklet-

I think a good parallel is any extra-curricular activity that takes training and discipline.

I am currently training to run a 10 k race. Whether I feel like it or not, I have to make myself do the training. What helps me through the really tough parts of plain old not wanting to do it anymore is the cross training aspect. I know that I have to keep the cardio conditioning going, but I can do it in a different way: swimming, walking, aerobics, biking.

You want to keep writing because it gives you pleasure, but you know that not "exercising" the gift can make it tougher to go back to it. Well, keep up the muscle, but do it in a different manner.

Try writing letters to long lost friends or relatives. Give structured verse a whirl (it will have you focusing on a different part of the language). Write down a letter to your grandchildren so that they will know the wonderful woman you are now.

All of these can be cathartic and use different parts of your writing abilities. Best of all, they can all be for you.

Overtraining is always a risk. It sounds like crosstraining may help you all around.

b

 

[MathGirl]

Re: different, yet toes still wet

Originally posted by bridgetkeeney Try writing letters to long lost friends or relatives.

Dear Bridget,
I'm taking your advice and writing to my Grandma. I've run into a snag, though. Is "motherfucker" one word, two words, or hyphenated?
MG
Ps. A prompt answer would be appreciated, because I'd hate to keep Grandma waiting.

 

[Guest]

MG: depending on where your abuelita lives it might end in 'fucka'. You know, like that fine film classic, "I'm Gonna Git You, Sucka".

helpfully, Perdita

K.I. Wayans

 

[Guest]

Re: Re: different, yet toes still wet

Dear Bridget,
I'm taking your advice and writing to my Grandma. I've run into a snag, though. Is "motherfucker" one word, two words, or hyphenated?
MG
Ps. A prompt answer would be appreciated, because I'd hate to keep Grandma waiting.

two words dear.

b

 

[sirhugs]

Re: Re: different, yet toes still wet

Dear Bridget,
I'm taking your advice and writing to my Grandma. I've run into a snag, though. Is "motherfucker" one word, two words, or hyphenated?
MG
Ps. A prompt answer would be appreciated, because I'd hate to keep Grandma waiting.

shouldn't this be posted on the advice thread?

 

[cahab]

I love creating a story, and writing it down on paper, but I hate having to type it down on the computer. Writing the same story twice is as boring as doing the dishes every day.

Svenskaflicka
Whose kitchen sink looks like a disaster area

Then just write on the computer? Or do you find the felt-tip too difficult to wipe off?

 

[MathGirl]

Re: Re: Re: different, yet toes still wet

two words dear.

Dear Bridget,
Thank you. I was sure you would know.
MG

 

[Svenskaflicka]

Dear Mr & Mrs Knowitall,

I can't create my masterpieces in front of a plastic cube! They have to be written down in longhand, preferebly with a quill and an ink bottle, on a piece of parchment.

I lose every ounce of inspiration when I stare at the screen.

(Maybe it's a PC thing. I did very well with my old Macintosh...)

Svenskaflicka
"An Apple a day keeps Bill Gates away!"

 

[PAUL C]

Sometimes

Sometimes writing is a chore.

As with my current story.

I had a beginning. I know the end. It's the bit in-between that's the hard bit.

That is when I find writing a chore. It would be easy to write 'three days later' but I want to write real time in two locations simultaniously. But then I have found myself introducing characters that weren't in the original plot of the story.

Plots and sub-plots to intoduce the characters then move them out of the way of the main story. But then some of the sub-plots take on a life of their own, and must be developed.

Can I change my mind. Writing is not a chore, I love it.

I just feel sorry for the reader.