A writer lives in a world of emotion. We bounce around like a super ball full of highs and lows.
Our emotions hit hard and they always hit in different ways. Like the stories we write our emotions carry with them a story of their own.
When we write a perfect scene the high we feel takes us down a beautiful path that lasts until our dreams begin to fade. But the moment we receive a bit of bad news we find ourselves asking – What’s the point?
Clouds
We are constantly flying above the clouds or crashing down to earth. We strap ourselves in for a bumpy ride and are willing to pay the price.
Every now and then I put on the breaks and ask myself why? Rumor has it some of you have done the same.
Could I ever walk away from all of this? Could I wave goodbye to the stories and characters that are dancing in my head?
Could I wish them well as I travel over the hill to normal-land?
What if I did?
You and I are an interesting bunch. We create worlds, people, problems and success. We do what many call impossible or weird.
It takes a brave person to expose themselves but we do it every day and we don’t seem to mind.
But every now and then we get tired. Maybe a particular rejection hit to close to home or maybe an unfortunate circumstance crashed and burned that was out of our control.
It’s at that point we may catch ourselves asking – Is it worth it?
Did we choose a path where the terrain is simply too rocky? To dangerous? To hard or too harsh?
The answer is yes. Writing is hard but walking away is harder.
What do we do? What should we do?
So what drives us? Why don’t we stop? Why can’t we settle down in normal-land and join the others?
I would love to sit down with all of you and listen to your answers. I have to say it would be fascinating. My answer will always be the same: A spoonful of curiosity and a handful of stubbornness.
I will always be curious how my ideas will turn out. Will they catch the bad guy? Will she find her way out of trouble? Will he ever grow up?
These questions and the excitement they create will always drive me. The process of the first draft and the real work when draft two rolls around.
If I were to walk away I’d leave behind not only my writing but a huge piece of me. I’m already small enough, why would I want to be smaller?
The truth is that’s not going to happen. I will keep searching for that perfect scene where that perfect character and their perfect world live.
I guess that’s where the stubbornness comes in.
We are a different bunch. Some say we are an unusual bunch. Whatever we are I could not imagine a finer group than you.
This crazy path is full of mystery. Sometimes it’s full of heart break and sometimes it’s above the clouds.
Whatever it is, it’s worth it and that’s all that really matters, isn’t it.
A Crack in the Pavement 
i really enjoyed reading this
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Thank you. I appreciate that.
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My hubs and I were just talking about this last week. My debut novel is coming out in March, and I’m trying to lay groundwork now for marketing, etc. So much time, and as we all know, unless our name is King or Patterson, we aren’t going to make a living from writing fiction. My hubs says, look at all the time and energy you’ve put into writing, and all the time you are planning to put into it, so why? I think every writer answers that question with: because I can’t not write. It’s something we have to do, and to be successful–if our goal is to be published and have at least a few readers outside of our family and friends–we have to put a LOT of time into it. There have been times lately I’ve thought about the time commitment and wonder why I’m doing it. Sometimes, I think passion for something overrules the time and energy without payback equation. Great post, Bryan!
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So true. It is often pointed out, whether gently or with tough love, that we will find neither fame nor fortune, and we know, we know. The time to stop doesn’t seem to arrive.
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Julie – Thank you for your amazing reply. I’d like to touch basis with you in the spring when your book comes out. Do an interview and expand on this post. Contact me if you are interested.
It’s easy to think we’re alone in this. Writing is solitude. Even if we choose to write in a busy coffee shop we’re still alone but when it comes to the other side of our work, thankfully we are not alone. We live in an amazing time where we can reach out to one another. It is a comforting feeling.
Huge thanks and congratulations.
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A lovely post, I can empathise with your writing struggle as I’m sure all authors can.
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The best part that I have discovered is that we are not alone. We’re all in this together, aren’t we.
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I think the writer questions everything…searching for the Universal why? And when there is no answer, we strive to create one to feed our insatiable hunger.
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So true, Angie. Thank you.
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I can relate to all of this. Yes, we’re a truly emotional lot that’s for sure. I put a part of myself into everything I write, just as I’m sure you do too. We have a lot to offer the world. I like to think that whatever we’re writing is making a difference, even if it’s just a small one. Great post.
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Thank you, Miriam. You brought up an excellent point. When we write we need to have the mindset that we are making a difference. It doesn’t matter how big or small, but it needs to be there.
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I like this post Bryan. I just want to share my thoughts. I’m not a full time writer as what others do. But when I’m starting to write my heart goes with it. So it’s like I’m putting my mind and heart to what I do. Others look at writers as having their own world but in totality they are great artists too though not all.😉
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It’s great to hear that you are writing. It doesn’t matter if it’s a lot or just a little bit. If you have something to say you can do it. Thanks for stopping by. Always fun talking to you.
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