The Writing Life

I have not been able to move forward with writing on Happy since I finished the outline.  Its not that I don't know what I want to write, or even that I can't find the words to say what I want to write.  I'm just not able to get myself started on the writing.  I even know what the problem is-I'm totally and completely intimidated by this project.  And thats so stupid because I know what I'm talking about-this book is just writing down what I've been telling clients for years, over and over again.  Its the same information I gave in groups at the hospital, and its the same process I used to get myself out of the depressive hole I dug myself into while Lily was in the NICU.  Its based on research and established therapy techniques that I added my personal twist to.

The problem is that I am writing this book for 2 reasons.  1-I want to compile all the thoughts and ideas I've had roaming around my head since grad school about what makes people happy, how people can work towards happiness, and how people can work with their therapists and doctors to move past getting rid of symptoms and to move towards making a joyfilled life.  2-I want to help people.

I really feel that I have something valuable to say, but I am really scared that it won't be everything I want it to be.  That it will be just another pop psych book that makes big promises and doesn't deliver.  I don't want to screw people out of their money-I want to give people something that will really help them make a better life for themselves.

Maybe I'm overthinking this-I haven't even written the thing and I'm worried about people not being able to change their lives after reading it.  Grrr.  How do I get past this?

Start writing.

That's really all you can do.  You can either write or not write.  First drafts are difficult to get started on and can be intimdating.  But the nice part about first drafts is that they can be rough around the edges or need a lot of work--that's what revision is for.  But you can't get to the revision part where you reshape the book until the first draft is done.

Suggestion: Do a thirty day first draft, with the purpose of just getting to the end of the book.  Nano's coming out, so you could do that if you want.  Write 3,000 words a day, very fast, without worrying about how it sounds, and not revising or fixing as you go along.

I had the same sort of writing paralysis when I started the cookbook, Rebecca. I wrote the title page and table of contents and just stopped dead for weeks. Maybe it was more like months. I think I was worried about why I was writing what I was and who would want to read it. That was silly. Everybody needs help saving money setting up their kitchen and buying food these days. So I started writing. Now it seems when the words come slowly it's because I'm wondering who I am to write this book. Then I make a weekly shopping trip for $38 and whip up something FM raves about - not only to me but to everyone he knows.

Our reasons for work stoppage may be different but we have the same problem. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.

JudyB

Well, I'm mostly a fiction writer, but as someone whose constantly feeling like she's hit a brickwall when it comes to writing, I'll give you a few of my hints.

First, start reading asap. Read anything you can get your hands on, especially books or stories on similar subjects. It will not only start giving you ideas for your own work, but it will strengthen your vocabulary which is always good.

Second, just sit down in front of your computer for a half hour to an hour. Open up Microsoft Word, or whatever program you normally use, and write something. Doesn't necessarily have to be pages and pages, but any little bit is a start. The more often you do this, the more you will start getting into the flow of things.

Third, keep a notebook near you almost all the time. You may have an outline set up already, but as writers we know that things always change.

Lastly, don't think about who'd be interested in your book or whether or not you think it will be good when you're done. These are things we do when all the writing is done and we begin editing. You can go back when it's all done and start working on what you think works and doesn't work, as well as adding things that you will see later on that may strengthen it.

Hope that helps at least just a little. Maybe giving you that list will help me get in the writing groove as well.

I was sitting here, pondering what I should write in reply to your post when what should fall out of my desk and onto to my foot but Anne Lamott's "Bird by Bird." There's a bit of divine inspiration - and an indication that I could use a larger desk - if I've ever seen one!

If you've never read Lamott's little writing instruction book, now might be a good time for it. Even the title of the book refers to what Judy was talking about. How do you write a massive report about several species of bird? Bird by Bird. Lamott does a great job of guiding the struggling writer through the darkest times of the writing life so if you have read it, I'd recommend rereading it now. I might just do the same.

Like all the posters before me have said, the only real way to get over this hurtle is to get some words down on paper. Your dilemma reminds of when I was a year or so out of college and was bemoaning the publishing success of my classmates, never minding the fact that I hadn't been querying or producing anything publication. When I, as Devon who posts on this board frequently puts it, "sat my butt down in the chair and wrote" I started to experience similar success to my classmates. I learned pretty quickly that the only way to get from where you are to where you want to be in the writing world is to write.

You have one very big goal in mind right now. I find when I think about my novel as a whole, I start to worry about my credibility as an author, the skill level of my writing, whether or not anyone will think the story's interesting. It always helps me to break my big goal into a ton of teeny goals, like finishing a chapter or writing so many words in a day. That way I can postpone all of those macro worries until I've gotten my work to the point where it makes sense to worry like that.

Remember that EL Doctorow quote? "Writing is like driving a car at night. You can see only as far as your headlights but you can make the whole trip that way."

Or here's another one "nothing ventured, nothing gained." There's always that fear of falling flat on your face. But the only way to guarantee a face plant is by not doing anything at all.