It's IWSG Day. The goal of this blog hop is to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without
fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire
can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure
writers of all kinds. The brainchild of Alex Cavanaugh, our brilliant ninja leader. To read other posts, click here.
This month's question: What is my favorite aspect of being
a writer?
A long time ago, I read something
about musicians feeling a kind of “high” after a performance.
Since I sang for many years, it makes sense to me. Maybe it’s blood
pressure, maybe endorphins, but after a good concert, I glowed inside.
Writing delivers a similar reward.
When the words spill out, something elemental stirs and I’m engaged and
engrossed. Of course, words don’t always flow, but even one good sentence
helps, and when the job at hand is editing, I get sucked in while pondering the
exact turn of phrase, the nuance of detail. If I'm interrupted by, say, the
alarm I set each morning so I leave the computer in time for work, or a phone, or
maybe my family, I blink a few times as I return from where I mentally was. It’s always difficult to depart that place, but
warm coals of accomplishment burn for having traveled there.
Sometimes, I go a day
or two without a focused period of writing. Invariably, on the third or
fourth day, I wake up with a craving, the need to sit down in front of the
computer and spill it. For me, the act of writing is medicinal. It
makes me whole again. Without it, the puzzle of me remains incomplete.
See, I've never really gotten that rush from writing (I have gotten it from performing, so I know what it feels like). Instead, if I DON'T write I feel terrible. It's not quite the same thing. :-/
ReplyDeleteIWSG November
I know that feeling from performing as well. I think that rush comes when I hit the end of the first draft.
ReplyDeleteThere's definitely a buzz when the writing is going well, or we finish a piece and our proud of what we've written.
ReplyDeleteGreat Post! Yup, I get sucked in like that too and it is - absolutely - rewarding.
ReplyDeleteLove this part, Liza - "It makes me whole again. Without it, the puzzle of me remains incomplete."
ReplyDeleteI've lost track of how many times I find myself blinking, bringing myself back to the present from where I was living my story. :)
Liza, I think we're related. I feel exactly the same way. I also get goosebumps when I read really good writing. Doesn't have to be fiction either. Have a great IWSG Day!
ReplyDeleteThere definitely is a high with writing. :)
ReplyDeleteThere is kind of a high when the writing is going well. I agree.
ReplyDeleteI love that 'in the zone' feeling.
ReplyDeletewell thought out post. I do like when a turn of phrase works...then again, sometimes I must kill the darlings. It's never dull (well, maybe editing for the tenth time)
ReplyDeleteWonderful, well-written post. I love that feeling of being lost in the work to the point that I forget my surroundings and other things happening in my life.
ReplyDeleteHi Liza .. this makes so much sense and we do get that inner glow of satisfaction ... clever - and thus keep on writing ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteYou described that feeling better than I could. It's definitely a rush!
ReplyDeleteIt's a great feeling! Because it doesn't happen often, I appreciate it when it comes. I hope you feel it often.
ReplyDeleteYour blog post is beautiful! Hi! This is my first time at your wonderful blog. I'm meeting and connecting with so many wonderful writers on IWSG. I've joined your blog! All the best to you.
ReplyDeleteYou have put into words exactly how I feel about writing. I notice that if I am a bit unsettled, and I sit down to write - anything - poetry, fiction or even if I just jot down how I am feeling at that moment, it brings a certain calm. Even a high! Writing is a paradox bringing calm and high at the same time, no? (Visiting from ISWG)
ReplyDeleteGreat answer to the question. That high that writing can give you is so wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI can get a rush from writing - and a rush from creating a tangible something from my thoughts. I can also get the opposite of a rush - what is that? A bummer? A bad trip? Anyway - it is like a big sleeping pill hits my head and demands I put my head on the desk and sleep NOW. Luckily I know that this is a good thing. It is my ego getting busted and I write (sleepily) on through it. Walking also gives me the rush and drawing and meditating. Weird...
ReplyDeleteYes! You nailed it, and beautifully, too. The writing high is exactly the same as the exhilaration experienced after delivering a well-received speech or singing well. (Probably the same sort of high runners experience after a long race, too, but THAT is one data point I'm not likely to ever explore!)
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I get any kind of 'high' from writing, but I do get pleasure when I've written something I feel proud of, and if I don't or can't write, I start craving the feel of the key board beneath my fingers.
ReplyDeleteI don't write or sing, but I agree with Susan about the high that runners experience.
ReplyDeleteExcept I don't think it needs to be a long race; I've done a couple of measly 5K-runs and felt pumped and exhilarated afterwards. I feel like high-fiving everyone. So high-five to you!
Very interesting post. The muses look kindly on you!
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