“When are you going to write your first novel?”
I was about 20 minutes into the interview with a wonderful author, with several successful books under his belt, when he turned the tables on me.
His question didn’t surprise me – there’s a quote “Every journalist has a novel in him – and that’s the best place for it.” – but his genuine interest in my novel, and an offer of help, did.
What followed was a wonderful discussion about writing – including the difficulties and the futility of it, along with the joy of turning random words into a story. I was left feeling incredibly uplifted by our conversation.
I’ve been thinking about it ever since.
If you’ve been reading this blog for a while you will know that writing a book is a long-held, often talked about, dream but, while I talk a good game, where I falter is in actually putting pen to paper, which is kind of key.
So what is stopping me?
I’m a big believer in signs. I’m not sure who or what is sending them (and probably deep down I know they are just random or I see them because I’m searching for them) but I count magpies (and salute just one), I look for rainbows, I find numbers in water and collect coincidences.
In chatting with the lovely author, I said that my biggest problem was time. Isn’t that everyone’s problem these days? Who has time for a hobby when you’re a parent? But now, someone, somewhere, is trying to tell me something and I, unexpectedly, have some time.
What it comes down to.
After some more sound advice, my conversation with the lovely author finished with another question.
“How much do you want it?”
I do want it, a lot, but I’m scared, I guess. And I know that’s normal. I’ve been putting all these brick walls in front of me because I am worried I don’t have what it takes, that I’m not a good enough fiction writer (that’s not me fishing for compliments, honest), that my time could be better used elsewhere, that I will pour my heart into it and it will get broken.
Just recently I’ve been thinking, so what? The planets (or whatever) have aligned and now I have this chance that very few people get (no pressure) so I should just go for it, right?
Has anything stopped you from reaching a goal or doing something you think you want? How do you get around/through it? Does it all come down to how much you want it?
After The Rain 
I usually achieve my goals. I break it down to small actionable steps, remove the barriers and get it done. It took me years to get that process down though 😉
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That actually sounds like a great way to tackle something. I bet it would work well with writing…1000 words today etc. Thanks for commenting 🙂
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I think it was Steven King in ‘On writing’ that recommends doing a similar thing. He writes something like: At a specific/same time every day to sit down and just write … Sometimes the muse shows up if it knows where to find you.
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I really need to read that (although that would be another thing that takes me away from actually writing. Hehe).
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I love the book 🙂
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Fear is what stops me. Fear that I can’t. Fear that I can but nobody else will like it. Fear that I can and lots of people like it but I can never do it again!
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I hear you! So what can you do to stop/ mute the fear?
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Good question, will let you know when I have an answer
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Hah! Good point. As if writing wasn’t hard enough without all this other stuff 🙂
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I have found that the solution to my procrastination is to plan the night before to get something done, and then do it, however crappy that something might be. Then I run with it, or it runs with me. The starting is the very hardest part, and like some of the other commenters, I just break it down into smaller chunks. Say, I just look at it for 10 minutes or 30 minutes, then put it down….. or I will just write the first chapter or last chapter etc…. Ten minutes is all I ever had to myself when my kids were younger. You will have much more time when Freya is much older, but in the meantime, keep jotting down your thoughts in those ten minutes. They will be invaluable later on! Good luck.
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Thanks, Amanda. All good advice. I’ve decided (along with my friend Kate) to go for 500 words a week, which seems doable.
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Excellent news
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I’m a big believer in signs too. You should definitely go for it!
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Thank you. There have been so many sign, including 10 magpies in a tree outside my window. I’m sure 10 must be for writing a novel 🙂
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For me it’s self doubt that stops me sometimes. When I sit down to write my novel (I’m barely a month in!) sometimes I am so worried that things aren’t perfect straight away that I find myself stopping and giving up for the day. When I focus on how much I like writing I keep going. For me that’s why I’m writing, because I love it. Obviously you do too! Keep going and I can’t wait to here more.
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**Hear**
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Yes! I get it completely. I’ve had to tell myself that I need to write it for no one but myself. I just need to get it out and get it done and worry about the rest (or not) later. I’m off to your blog to learn more 🙂
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Good point 🙂 I need to adopt a worry about the rest later too! Ah thank you – my blog is very new so pretty boring right now
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I love this! 💖
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I pretty much have the same problem. Fear and getting over it is incredibly hard, good luck with your work 🙂
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You will do it when you have gleaned all you need to know. I thought I was ready five years ago, I was not. I thought I had no time THEN.. HAHAHA. I have noooo time now… but I am way more prepared for the journey! Can’t give birth too early, and nature/life has a way if enduring that. :)Best of wishes with your adventure.
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That’s such a lovely way to look at it, thank you for sharing 🙂
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You are welcome. 🙂 (but go write!! 😉 )
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I know exactly what you mean Tara, the dream is there but turning that into words on a page.. But I believe you will achieve your dream! Keep taking those bricks away!
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Thank you, Shaun. My book is closer than it was when I wrote this, so I guess that’s good news. NaNoWriMo helped with that, if you get chance to take part. PS you’re up very late!
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