Breaking a Myth About Writing

Do what you love and you'll love what you do. How many times have you heard or read that? Countless. Though this sometimes applies to writing, it does not at all cover the broad range of emotions that writers experience regarding their craft. Many fledgling writers believe that when you're a writer, you've got to be head-over-heels in love with writing at all times. Veterans know that this is impossible, especially if you are undertaking the insane task of writing a novel... or two... or three...

Writing is like a relationship in many ways. In the beginning you fall in love. You don't see the flaws, the dropped commas, the glaring logical fallacies, the awkward metaphors and similes. You never imagine that one day, you'll love your craft so much; frustration at not being able to do it perfectly will at times make you hate it. I don't mean that soft "I don't like it anymore," hate. I mean that passionate, "I hate it but I have to go on because I know I can do better," inner conflicting hate.
I am not by any means saying that all writers hate their jobs. That is not true. We love what we do. There are times, however... twelve midnight when the plot is thickening like a lump in oatmeal and there's no way to work it out... when we can't stand it!

Writing is no picnic. It takes hard work, training, discipline, yes discipline! Especially this last if you want to write and finish a novel. It is impossible to finish a novel without discipline. Notice I did not say, it is impossible to finish a novel without good ideas, plot, good character development, or any of the other cute cliché's you hear. What good is a killer plot, a knock out idea, and a living breathing character if you can't even sit down and finish one page? Not any good at all.

The periods in a writers' life when they find that they absolutely hate what they do are the trying grounds. These periods prove that the writer is in it for the long run. They prove that the writer has the discipline to do the big work: finish the novel.

While writing is not always pure joy, it gives many joys. So if you're a fledgling writer, do not let this article discourage you but rather let it encourage you to prove that you have what it takes to break through the periods of "craft hate".