Writing with Spiderman
I am writing this blog post sort of one-handed. No, I didn't break an arm, but I have a squirmy two-year-old in Spiderman pjs on my lap. He is babbling on about "Loola"--the dog next door (whose actual name is Lily, but don't tell Baby #4 that).
And I write anyway.
A long time ago--about four kids ago--I gave up the myth that I needed certain things in order to be able to create. Quiet. Long stretches of solitude. Coffee (gave it up for geen tea). My desk in a certain order. My lucky bathrobe. Candles burning. Two hands.
Believe me, I sometimes fantasize--not about my not-so-secret infatuation, Anthony Bourdain, but about a quiet retreat, a mountain cabin or a beach cottage, all by myself, where I can write.
But I realized, a long time ago, that writers simply write. The ones who produce write when they are sick, when they are inspired, when they are not inspired. When they have only one hand and Spiderman on their lap.
So how about you? What illusion about what you need have you given up--and write anyway?
Peace,
E
Labels: discipline, writing in chaos
posted by Erica Orloff at 7:55 AM
10 Comments:
Love this post, Erica! As we speak, I'm am outlining my next book while standing at the kitchen counter. I've had to give up CHAIRS because my daughter is obsessed with climbing right now and we can't keep her off them. She only recently recovered from a broken arm, so we're not taking any chances. Let's see, I've also given up the notion that I have to write to music -- unless you count the LITTLE MERMAID soundtrack in the background. And I used to think that I could only TRULY concentrate in a coffee shop. Yeah, gave that up long ago.
~ Weez :)
Hi Louise:
I used to freeze up at the keyboard, obsessing over each word. I felt like I needed so many things just so to create. I produce much more now with four kids than I did when I only had one--or none.
E
back from the distant lands of the great insanity... I have to say that i still have all of those myths and more...
hmmm...
maybe that is why i am not writing?
looks like I need to give up a lot of story to get down to writing my stories.
maybe a tradeoff of sorts? give up the stories in my life to write stories about other lives (imagined or otherwise).
thanks for the post as always... you are brilliant and insightful and provocative and inspiring.
I don't know why I ever read anything but your blog to give me the kick I need to get writing. it's all right here.
ewoh:
As always, you are gracious and I am humbled.
You know, ewoh, from what you've posted here, your kids are everything to you--and should be. Mine are my whole world . . . I think I just, by virtue of letting them run around me like monkeys sometimes, have been conditioned to not "need" as much as I thought I did in order to Just Do It (in the immortal words of Nike).
E
Well, I definitely don't wait around for Ms. Muse to show up. Like you, I have four kids. I grab my writing time when I can get it. Lately, it's been on pool decks during kids' swim and water polo practices. Works though. :)
barrie:
I like that way you put it--not waiting around for the Muse to show up.
:-)
E
I used to think I had to have QUIET with a certain type of low-playing music in the background. Now I take my Alphasmart Neo with me and I write where ever and when ever I get a chance. My nephew is visiting for a few weeks this summer, and I've cranked out more between movie and fishing trips, than ever before. Perspective is amazing, isn't it?
Erica, great post! Helpful as always.
kathy:
You are one of about ten writers I know who use that gizmo. I don't 100% understand it--vs. a laptop--and will have to check it out.
E
Erica, there are two versions of the Alphasmart. The Dana works similarly to a laptop or PDA (you can surfe the internet). The Neo is basically a computerized typewriter. No other software, no temptation to surf, play games, or fiddle with other software. And unlike a laptop, where battery life is relatively limited (4-6 hours tops), the Neo's battery life is 700 or so hours on just two AA batteries. You just open Word or WordPerfect, place your curser where you want to put the text, and Neo enters the text. Neo travels well too. My first draft is going very well, more quickly and better quality, than ever before, thanks to the Neo. It's a great tool! (www.alphasmart.com)
kathy:
I like that no Internet thing--and the long battery life. Thanks for the info!
E
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