Re-reading this post, and because each of the four psychological barriers that Time points up seem credible, maybe it could be interesting to list the fours barriers as Time mentioned them and attach a rank order to indicate what we each sense is, presently, their impact on our writing? Rank #1 indicates the biggest barrier, Rank #4 the smallest barrier?
Here's my sense of what impact each of the 'Four Frictions', this Friday around midday, are having on my ability to get writing:
#2 Guilt, #4 Lack of Confidence, # 3 Honesty, #1 Fear
I could expand, having offered my own ranking, will hold off doing to allow time for others to follow me to this 'base camp' should all or any wish to do so.
This one is it for me: "Writing is really all about harnessing the power of the unconscious mind. But there are monsters down there as well as angels. Mortality, confusion, dark desires, the Shadow. You have to have the courage to face these things down - or at least acknowledge them." And then that people will totally get what I've tried to communicate all wrong and burn me like a witch.
Loooove it!!! Thank you for all your words. I've been struggling with the imposter syndrome the last days, so this letter comes perfect to me. I needed to read this. thank you <3
Of all the countless reasons why a novel, or a novella, or a short story, or a flash fiction never gets written the most salient is simply (a) not writing a first draft (b) not, repeatedly, reworking the drafting until, finally, achieving a good enough to go draft.
All four headings, and the sub-sectional headings under 'Fear', hit nails on heads ...
Great piece. Thank you Tim. I feel guilty that I haven't been commenting as much as I should, but life has been very busy lately, and I've been up to my eyes editing the second of my books that I intend to self-publish. Nothing will stop me writing now! Not even the thought that it's a bit sad that here I am, over 70, and am still something of an amateur in the eyes of the world (actually, I do have one professionally published short story to my name--ha!) Time might be running out, time's winged chariot and all that, but I'm too old for angst! Onwards!
Thank you for taking the time to write all of this out. It was SO incredibly validating to me!!
I quit my day job as a professor (of over a decade) 9 months ago because I never set out to become a public health professor. I just did it to make an income, but I’ve always wanted to pursue my creative/analysis writing since I was old enough to want anything.
And yet, it took me 3 years from the day I knew I needed to quit that job to the day I actually turned in my letter of resignation (due to fear). And although our family can get by without my income, I have allowed myself to become consumed by motherhood stuff-- filling in the time I could write with worrying about/performing logistics of emotional and physical labor for my children.
In reality, I know that deep down I have all of these blocks to writing that you listed out. So-- *chef’s kisses* 😚 🤲🏼 to YOU for pressing “publish” on this post, as you’ve done an act of service to the writing community today.
For your service, kind human, please take comfort noting that your readers formally give you permission to REST in the knowledge that your service to the writing community hit home with many of us. And thus, should you happen to stumble upon any aforementioned blocks this week, please do not stress about writing for at LEAST the rest of the week 😝
I realise I'm the cussed bugger here, but I don't agree with Haneke. His statement "I've never seen good results from people trying to speak about things they don't know firsthand" is really perplexing. Can we not write historical novels? Can we not do research? Or am I not getting him exactly?
Re-reading this post, and because each of the four psychological barriers that Time points up seem credible, maybe it could be interesting to list the fours barriers as Time mentioned them and attach a rank order to indicate what we each sense is, presently, their impact on our writing? Rank #1 indicates the biggest barrier, Rank #4 the smallest barrier?
Here's my sense of what impact each of the 'Four Frictions', this Friday around midday, are having on my ability to get writing:
#2 Guilt, #4 Lack of Confidence, # 3 Honesty, #1 Fear
I could expand, having offered my own ranking, will hold off doing to allow time for others to follow me to this 'base camp' should all or any wish to do so.
This one is it for me: "Writing is really all about harnessing the power of the unconscious mind. But there are monsters down there as well as angels. Mortality, confusion, dark desires, the Shadow. You have to have the courage to face these things down - or at least acknowledge them." And then that people will totally get what I've tried to communicate all wrong and burn me like a witch.
Loooove it!!! Thank you for all your words. I've been struggling with the imposter syndrome the last days, so this letter comes perfect to me. I needed to read this. thank you <3
Of all the countless reasons why a novel, or a novella, or a short story, or a flash fiction never gets written the most salient is simply (a) not writing a first draft (b) not, repeatedly, reworking the drafting until, finally, achieving a good enough to go draft.
All four headings, and the sub-sectional headings under 'Fear', hit nails on heads ...
Great piece. Thank you Tim. I feel guilty that I haven't been commenting as much as I should, but life has been very busy lately, and I've been up to my eyes editing the second of my books that I intend to self-publish. Nothing will stop me writing now! Not even the thought that it's a bit sad that here I am, over 70, and am still something of an amateur in the eyes of the world (actually, I do have one professionally published short story to my name--ha!) Time might be running out, time's winged chariot and all that, but I'm too old for angst! Onwards!
Thank you for taking the time to write all of this out. It was SO incredibly validating to me!!
I quit my day job as a professor (of over a decade) 9 months ago because I never set out to become a public health professor. I just did it to make an income, but I’ve always wanted to pursue my creative/analysis writing since I was old enough to want anything.
And yet, it took me 3 years from the day I knew I needed to quit that job to the day I actually turned in my letter of resignation (due to fear). And although our family can get by without my income, I have allowed myself to become consumed by motherhood stuff-- filling in the time I could write with worrying about/performing logistics of emotional and physical labor for my children.
In reality, I know that deep down I have all of these blocks to writing that you listed out. So-- *chef’s kisses* 😚 🤲🏼 to YOU for pressing “publish” on this post, as you’ve done an act of service to the writing community today.
For your service, kind human, please take comfort noting that your readers formally give you permission to REST in the knowledge that your service to the writing community hit home with many of us. And thus, should you happen to stumble upon any aforementioned blocks this week, please do not stress about writing for at LEAST the rest of the week 😝
Thanks Tim. Great piece, very resonant for me, especially re guilt and fear. Bookmarked.
Thanks for this. Just starting with fiction and am already learning I didn't know anything.
I realise I'm the cussed bugger here, but I don't agree with Haneke. His statement "I've never seen good results from people trying to speak about things they don't know firsthand" is really perplexing. Can we not write historical novels? Can we not do research? Or am I not getting him exactly?
So true. Well said.
Thank you for sharing this. I needed it today.
Every word of this. You really get it