Remember how I was writing a novel? Maybe you don’t. I finished the first draft on July 31st, and I haven’t talked much about it since. I very intentionally put it aside to work on my thesis. Don’t ask me how that’s going.
I know that we make time to do the things we want to do no matter how busy we are. I, for instance, make a ton of time for this blog. I make a lot of time for keeping up with politics. And, I make time for being lazy.
I could make time for working on my novel. But, I don’t. It just sits there in the back of my mind, and occasionally I freak out about how I’m getting older and no closer to my dream of publishing a novel. Yeah, I have a lot of time. But, it’s easy to think, “One day, I’ll . . . . .” I don’t want to plan on doing things one day. I want to do them now.
Of course, I do have real limits. It’s hard to call myself busy, knowing all the time that I waste. But, I am busy. Between all my jobs and finishing my degree and applying to doctoral programs, I feel like I only have enough time to meet immediate deadlines.
I don’t know where I’m going with this post. I have so many things pressing down on me right now that I really don’t feel up to making some grand resolution to work on the novel. But, the thing is . . . I miss writing fiction. I miss my characters. And, it feels like the more time I spend away, the more difficult it is to go back.
Is there anything you want to do, but you keep putting off? Do you have good reasons for not working on it, or are they just excuses?
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
I know what you mean about being really busy but still making time to be lazy. I think I go through periods of ambition where I do all those side-projects in addition to my regular work, and periods where I would rather watch TV. And I’m OK with that. I defintiely have been putting off one idea in particular (also related to publishing kinda…but with photos) without any good reasons to. Except for that I AM really busy right now…
I can relate, especially to the dream of publishing novel(s)! I don’t spend nearly enough to time being productive novel writing-wise as I should, yet I use way too much time doing more “pointless” things like surfing the ‘net and reading *other’s* books. Part of it is laziness, but part of it is a fear on some level; a fear that I won’t be good enough.
You are VERY busy from what I’ve read so there’s no need to stress out about things. After all, even if you are getting older, you are working a good deal and you are looking at furthering your education. Don’t try to do too much and overwhelm yourself so that you can stay focused for the things you’re doing.
The novel will come eventually and by then you’ll have the time to clearly write it as well as you’d like.
I really really want to move and study up north but I don’t have the job to transfer for it. I’m still applying but it’s hard. And then once I get it I have to still stay here another 6 months in order to qualify for a transfer. But yes, that’s what I want.
Working out is always on the back burner. Oh, and of course, my own novel is on the backburner until I can figure out a way to get a bigger, better source of income.
I keep putting aside drafts of articles I have written for freelancing. Of course, my exercise regimen is always pushed to the side for more important things like Netflix. =/
So I totally had a post almost identical to this one (minus the fact that I haven’t written a novel yet) that I was going to put up on my blog! At this point, I could probably just refer people to yours. :)
Anyhow, yes, I put off writing the way I really want to write. It’s too easy to tell myself that there just isn’t any time. With school, being in a relationship, interning, publishing academic articles, etc., it isn’t hard to feel bogged down.
What’s helping me is that I’ve got my best friend involved now. Once a week or so she’ll ask me what I’ve written, or why I haven’t made time for it. And she’s one of those people that doesn’t take crap, especially from me. So it’s motivation. Also, I’ve specifically carved out time next semester for writing fiction. I practically scheduled it into my weeks. It’s something I realize I need to do, so I’m determined to do it.
The fact that you have a draft under your belt is already something to be so immensely proud of. Congratulations! I look forward to buying it and reading it in print one day!
Homework. I get more and more homework all the time and I also push it forward all the time.
With me it’s the novel thing too. Once upon a time I had hopes I’d be published before I was 20. Now i’m less than a year away from THIRTY and STILL unpublished…
For me it’s the novel, and before it was excuses and fear. Now, however, after my move and whole, “starter wife” type of situation, minus the wife part, I’m having to reorganize and prioritize a lot of things.
Like Elle mentioned, I think the one thing that holds back a huge percentage of aspiring writers is fear. I think in some ways, that’s much more paralyzing, than just being plain ol’ lazy. Because anyone can be lazy, and eventually get around to working on their novel or other huge dream.
When you’re afraid you’ll fail or lack the talent to succeed, well that just stops progress right in its tracks.
But if you do go ahead and work on the big Novel, then let us know. I would definitely buy a copy or two. =D
Oh man, I can totally relate. I think mine is a combination of laziness and absolute fear. I would really like to try and open a store (online) with some of my crafts and things but I am terrified that people will think I am a moron for even thinking other people might want to buy anything.
I would assume that would have a little to do with not telling people about the novel more. I think it is so hard to get motivated to do something, when the chances of failure are so high. But, I guess the rewards are much higher too.
I think every writer has that fear.
You’re in good company.