It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that they are difficult. ~SenecaIt is the fear of falling that prevents us from doing many a things. A child when he starts walking does not fear anything. He wobbles, falls, picks himself up and goes on. He cries only when he knows someone is observing him. When he thinks he is alone, falling does not affect him. As elders we are always conscious of what others think of us. That prevents us from venturing out into new directions. We are always concerned about others.
Sometimes I feel that way about my writings. As if it is not upto the mark. What others are going to think reading it. If I can't satisfy my readers, why should I bother to write? However, I have overcome this jaded feelings somewhat. What do I fear next? A writing slump. For me it feels like that as if the world has come to an end. It is like desert. You are looking for words and they are no where to be found. When one does get near those words, they are like a mirage. They seem to run away from me.
Lately I have been forcing myself to write. That is the only way I can get over the writing drought. I don't wish for the slump to last forever. The long night of not being able to write has to come to an end. Delicate words put on paper have to shine through. Yes, I dare to write. Even trash.
How do you feel about it? Do you dare?
20 comments:
My biggest fear is to wake up and not remember how to write. Great post.
Your words about the child are so true. The tendency lasts even into adulthood - you can see people who have just made a misstep of some sort looking around, to see if they might have been observed.
I remember the words of the old organizing song - "Keep your eyes on the prize". The prize is the writing, the words - we need to keep our eyes on those, and nothing else!
Happy writing.
honestly, sometimes, i don't.
most of the time, i do.
maybe i'm confused myself.
I think you hit on a very real fear that many writers have, Gautami. If our readers don't like what we have to say, why are we bothering? I think though, that often times we feel like feedback - and for bloggers that comes only as comments - is the only way that we know that we touched someone. I don't think that's always true, but I don't know how to convince ourselves otherwise. It's a fine line between being delusional and just confident you know? :)
Keep writing, and others will keep reading is the best advice I guess I can offer.
You perfectly (and poetically) articulated how almost all writers feel. I think there is a myth that the ideas just some, when in fact, it is very hard work. I'm glad you take the dare! I do too!
excellent g.... at first i too thought i shall write regardless of trash or pearls.. and then the words came to a crashing halt... harder than hard softer than rain... it feels good not to write and rest... gathering thoughts soon form clouds it begins to sprinkle letters and thoughts...
I'm certain that we all have periods when the writing doesn't come easily. It's far too tempting to write anything that comes into your head regardless of its quality in the fear that if you don't, your readers will disappear. I believe one should take a rest from it for a few days to recharge the batteries then arrive back with a fabulous piece. As I said, I believe it, but regretably I seldom practice what I preach!!
Oh, and by the way, Rosey is back! Thanks for nudging me into writing another of her stories.
Oh, yes. We do, we do. We just keep keepin' on. Good post!
I love the way you braided the words into your prose. It give it a poetic feel!
That's really all we can do, just write. After all, a big part of writing is for ourselves. Good luck!
always dare..even in a drought you try...
Two pieces of unsolicited advice:
Write for yourself - your audience will find you. Anon.
Don't stop to think of words, stop to see the picture better. Jack Kerouac
It takes great courage to keep writing even when the love for doing it isn't there. I'm glad you keep daring...I love reading your thoughts!
This hits home very deeply...I feel as if I'm stuck in a deep rut lately and all my poems are identical. It saddens me that I can't write just for the thrill of expression without validation...my ego is too involved in the process. I want to reach the point where I can post a poem and feel joy simply because it was written (and not feel sad or happy about whether I get comments). Thanks for making me ponder...
Familiar, too familiar a feeling, that fortunately, comes and goes... Sometimes one just has to empty oneself so that new things can pour in...
You're absolutely correct, GT - you have to write your way out of the drought. Good for you!
i know of a very famous writer...in spite of accolades, great reviews, that people know their name...
any negative word upsets them... each review or blog post is scanned, seeking out where they went wrong in writing.
i guess i'm lucky... before last summer, i'd never written.. i'm still in the, "gee, someone reads ME?" stage.
i hope i never move beyond that place of pure wonder i can amuse someone long enough to read the words that float off my fingertips...
oh, and this was quite good, thanks!
Depends on my mood.:)
The biggest fear is to wake up dead!
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