Honestly, I disagree. I think it is discouraging to send the message that there is only one right way to be a writer. I found the "write everyday" advice just fed into my self-doubt for years and years. If I force myself to write, even with "lower standards", there is no joy in it. If there is no joy in it, why am I writing? It took me a long time to find a routine that works for me, and it still constantly changes based on what's happening in my life. I applaud any writer that can write everyday, but I want to let anyone out there who is feeling discouraged because they simply can't, that it's OK to find a routine that works for you. There's no one magic formula to being a writer.
I've always thought the "write every day" advice was impractical. I've thought simply writing regularly would accomplish nearly the same thing. However, when you add "with no expectations," that makes it much more doable. The thing is with any habit, it's easier to fall out of it than maintain it. Not writing one day because there's no time can turn into not writing for a week, a month, 5 years... speaking from experience. Writing every day makes writing as much a priority as brushing your teeth or having a coffee. The no expectations takes off the pressure.
I'm a little rusty when I don't write everyday, and I miss the physical act of it, and the possibility that writing take me someplace new. But, as Diane, points out, we need to find routines that work for us even if they're not "routines." Maybe especially if they're not routines. So many ways to write--in your head, in a conversation with a tree, with a friend, although discussion, for me, may dilute the content..
This is so true, Meg & it's something I tend to forget. I don't feel I'm writing anything decent at the moment and that makes me want to give up at times, but I've always found that writing anything can usually get me back into it (& reading stories that resonate!)..
Honestly, I disagree. I think it is discouraging to send the message that there is only one right way to be a writer. I found the "write everyday" advice just fed into my self-doubt for years and years. If I force myself to write, even with "lower standards", there is no joy in it. If there is no joy in it, why am I writing? It took me a long time to find a routine that works for me, and it still constantly changes based on what's happening in my life. I applaud any writer that can write everyday, but I want to let anyone out there who is feeling discouraged because they simply can't, that it's OK to find a routine that works for you. There's no one magic formula to being a writer.
I've always thought the "write every day" advice was impractical. I've thought simply writing regularly would accomplish nearly the same thing. However, when you add "with no expectations," that makes it much more doable. The thing is with any habit, it's easier to fall out of it than maintain it. Not writing one day because there's no time can turn into not writing for a week, a month, 5 years... speaking from experience. Writing every day makes writing as much a priority as brushing your teeth or having a coffee. The no expectations takes off the pressure.
I like it.
I'm a little rusty when I don't write everyday, and I miss the physical act of it, and the possibility that writing take me someplace new. But, as Diane, points out, we need to find routines that work for us even if they're not "routines." Maybe especially if they're not routines. So many ways to write--in your head, in a conversation with a tree, with a friend, although discussion, for me, may dilute the content..
This is so true, Meg & it's something I tend to forget. I don't feel I'm writing anything decent at the moment and that makes me want to give up at times, but I've always found that writing anything can usually get me back into it (& reading stories that resonate!)..