It’s that time of the month again — time for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group Post!
May 4 question – It’s the best of times; it’s the worst of times. What are your writer highs (the good times)? And what are your writer lows (the crappy times)?
My “highs” are when the words are flowing well and writing seems effortless, as if I’m channeling the story directly from the universal well of creativity. I think every writer can identify with this feeling. We’ve all had the experience of looking back at what we’ve written and asking, “Where did that come from?” That’s the feeling you are chasing as a writer. It’s why we slave away at our keyboards even when nothing’s coming to us.
“Lows” are when nothing is going right. The plots are insipid and cliched, the characters are boring, and the right words just won’t come. You’re just not inspired, and it shows in how difficult the writing becomes. This is a tough condition to work through, but you just have to slog along until things are flowing again. Contrary to that little voice in your head, your reader will likely never notice a difference between what’s written during your “high” as opposed to what you write during a “low.”
Actually, I have a reader or two that CAN tell the difference between when something was written on a “high” or a “low.” To be fair, it’s someone who’s known me and read my stuff for a VERY long time.
Also, if you revise and edit properly, it’s much less noticeable. 🙂
That’s interesting where your reader knows you so well! I suppose that would be true if someone becomes really familiar with your writing voice … I haven’t had that problem yet
Sometimes it’s a slog, but it’s worth it! Unlike C. D., I don’t think any reader has ever been able to tell if I wrote something on a high or a low. If I can tell when I read it back, I just edit until I can’t tell anymore. Wishing you lots of writing highs!
Thank you Kim – you as well!
It takes so much concentration for me to hold onto voice, that on the low days, I don’t have enough to keep it going, and have to step back a bit an realign my day, before I can tackle the scene again. Hopefully you’re right, and my readers will never notice when those transitions occured1
Contrary to that little voice in your head, your reader will likely never notice a difference between what’s written during your “high” as opposed to what you write during a “low.”
This is definitely true, but the ‘slog’ portions take many more revisions.