Blogger KRISTI HOLL is the author of 35 books, including WRITER'S FIRST AID.

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A Writer-holic’s Many Faces

May 18, 2009

work4Earlier this month, I wrote about “Keeping Up with Ourselves” and subsequently ordered the book The Relief of Imperfection by Joan C. Webb. I’ve only read the first 85 pages, but I’m loving it so far!

Did you know that, contrary to popular belief, workaholics (and the sub-group writer-holics) don’t work all the time? In fact the term can describe “any person who is driven to do too much, whether that person works sixty hours a week or runs around like a chicken with its head cut off…Some work addicts appear motionless, but their minds are racing.” (Diane Fassel in Working Ourselves to Death.)

Three Faces of Writer-holics

While my goal and life-long desire as a writer has been to be consistent with my writing output, it is seldom that way. Sometimes I work long hours with a huge output (like NaNoWriMo month), sometimes it’s in spurts, and sometimes approaching deadlines make me freeze (afraid that I can’t do what I promised in the contract.) I knew my writing output was sporadic, but I thought each style was a problem by itself. I am beginning to see that they’re all just different faces of perfectionism.

Obsessive Writers

worker1This writer works long hours, taking on project after project. She feels compelled to do what she needs to do to keep going. I used to blame it on the financial needs of raising children alone–and that certainly contributed to the pressure–but after the need passed, the behavior remained. According to Webb, “it is a matter of identity for her. If she stopped to rest, it would prove she is inferior, lazy or both–and that would be unthinkable.” BINGO.

Binge Writers

worker2This writer works in spurts, but with great intensity and energy and focus. These intense bursts of work are sometimes (for the writer-holic) ways to avoid dealing with other issues (children’s problems, marital woes, a looming health concern). “Work, projects, tasks and accomplishments become the medication of choice so that she doesn’t have to feel her emotions, deal with her disappointments or ask deep questions,” says Webb. I’m guilty of this one too–maybe not as much as in the past, but it’s definitely a factor.

Anorexic Writers

worker3Deadlines can often turn me into this type of writer. The perfectionist in me isn’t satisfied with writing “sh****” rough drafts, as Anne Lamott calls them in Bird by Bird. After having had 35 books published, you’d think this would no longer be an issue! But it is. Webb contends that the work anorexic is “afraid she’ll do it wrong, so she procrastinates, and the resulting guilt immobilizes her.”

What Type Are You?

Do you identify with any of the above perfectionistic descriptions of writers? (If so, these tendencies probably show up in how you  approach other things in your life, like your fitness efforts and your relationships.) I hope you’ll leave a comment and share your own experiences in this area. I’m hooked on this book, looking forward to the “relief of imperfection,” and will blog about some solutions soon!

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17 Comments »

  1. I’m looking forward to hearing those solutions, Kristi! I have been Obsessive and Binging in the past, both in writing and in life, but recently am leaning more toward Anorexic. Gotta get over it and get going!

    jane

    Comment by Jane Heitman Healy — May 18, 2009 @ 8:48 pm

  2. Jane, I hear you! Me too. I want stability and consistency in my writing–without the highs and lows so much, or the many stops and having to start again. I had not recognized two out of the three problems she talked about as perfectionism/workaholism though. It’s comforting to know it’s only ONE problem to heal instead of three! 8-)

    Comment by Kristi Holl — May 18, 2009 @ 9:03 pm

  3. Kristi, I love reading your blog!! I am not sure which of the above writers in today’s blog I most identify with. It is a lifestyle for me. I am always reading or writing or thinking about my projects. I often feel guilty when I am away from my desk but I still enjoy spending time with my grandchildren. Although I set monthly goals for submissions, I feel like I am still a beginner. Thank you for the encouragement you put into every blog article.

    Comment by Sue Tornai — May 18, 2009 @ 9:47 pm

  4. Sue, it’s certainly possible that you are NONE of the described writers. That would be lovely–and that’s my goal! But guilt…yes, we women (especially mothers and grandmothers) feel it (and often organize our lives and prioritize according to guilt). But that’s another topic! 8-)

    Comment by Kristi Holl — May 18, 2009 @ 10:06 pm

  5. Kristi - I identify with all of these! And also recognise that none of them are very helpful. They don’t help my energy levels or my enthusiasm. And they certainly do reflect other aspects of my life.
    However, I had a crisis and a breakthrough last weekend, and it’s given me much food for thought. Your post has added more “fertiliser”. I feel a change coming on!

    Comment by Sherryl — May 19, 2009 @ 3:23 am

  6. Sherryl, you’re so right about these styles of writing NOT helping our energy levels. Each, in its own way, sucks energy from us rather than renewing our enthusiasm or satisfaction with writing. I’m not pleased about your crisis, but I love the words “breakthrough” and “change”!! 8-)

    Comment by Kristi Holl — May 19, 2009 @ 5:08 am

  7. Well, they’re all me, at times. Actually, I’m really grateful to have the work. It’s good to know others feel overwhelmed at times, but the satisfactions are great, and I do take a day off once in a while. Sometimes, my husband and I have a mini-date. We go out to lunch or take a walk. I was really helped by a book called “The NOW Habit.”
    Perfection has never been a problem for me. If you live in my town, you know I never invite anybody over. We meet somewhere. Why? Because my house is a MESS : )

    Comment by Linda — May 19, 2009 @ 9:56 pm

  8. Linda, thanks so much for sharing that! 8-) All those types of writers are me at various points too. Your educational publishing record is very impressive, by the way. You are obviously an expert in that market. I’ll have to check out that NOW HABIT book–sounds intriguing! (And I love your idea of meeting someone elsewhere!)

    Comment by Kristi Holl — May 20, 2009 @ 5:11 am

  9. I am definitely anorexic–and paralyzed by fear. I completely related to Anne Lamott being afraid she would die in a car accident before she was able to revise her rough draft—because if someome found her writing afterward they would think it was suicide because of her horrible first draft.Before I even start a draft now I have to write “Horrible, Awful First Draft–Not Yet Revised” at the top in caps—just in case.

    I love your blog! I’ve loved it for at least a year now, and I’ve intended to comment for ages. You help me keep writing, and encourage me in so many ways.

    Comment by Stephanie — May 21, 2009 @ 9:41 pm

  10. Stephanie, thank you so much for your comment. I’m so glad the blog helps. I had to laugh at your Anne Lamott quote–I had forgotten that. 8-) And I love your solution! Just having those words at the top of the page would help ME as a reminder, I think, that I don’t have to produce beautiful prose today–just an awful first draft. Takes off a lot of the pressure!

    Comment by Kristi Holl — May 22, 2009 @ 4:39 am

  11. I am a anorexic writer. Truth is I have weak grammar skills, so I procrastinate because I get frustrated when I type and those little green and red lines highlight the words. This makes me feel dumb and I question myself and say, ‘I am not educated enough to write.’ But, even with this weakness, there is a greater need to write what is in my head. I have to write. This is why I can’t quit writing! But, I need to get stronger. How?

    Comment by Barbara — May 22, 2009 @ 8:53 am

  12. Barbara, you’re getting stronger every time you write and with every book you read. We absorb so much about correct grammar and spelling by reading widely. And maybe you can use one of the easy (free) online dictionaries and keep it open while you write. We all seem to have various negative internal voices, don’t we? Fight them! Talk them down! 8-)

    Comment by Kristi Holl — May 22, 2009 @ 9:18 am

  13. Hi Kristi,
    I love your blog entry, “A Writer-holics Many Faces.” I’m Joan C. Webb, author of The Relief of Imperfection. Glad you like the 1st 85 pages of “Relief.” :-) Hope you’re enjoying the rest now, too. You did a superb job of adapting the “faces of workaholism to “writer-holism.” Would love to connect with you. You on Facebook or Twitter? BTW, just released a devotional follow-up book to relief: It’s a Wonderful (Imperfect) Life. http://tinyurl.com/DevoBook
    Congrats on all your writing.

    Comment by Joan C Webb — May 23, 2009 @ 3:19 am

  14. I’m the anorexic writer — usually paralyzed by the fear of failure. I always put off submitting a peice I’ve finished and try to fix it over and over until I finally lose interest in it. Or I listen to what the people closest to me have to say about my writing ideas and try to change them even if I’ve turned them into a story I’ve already finished.

    Comment by Joslyn Carter — June 7, 2009 @ 5:55 pm

  15. Joslyn, I understand your fear of letting a story go. We always know it could be better if we just kept tweaking it a bit more. It’s scary, sending it “out there” to see what happens. In the early years of my writing, I never showed it to ANYONE until it came out in a magazine, already published and paid for. I was too nervous. I had so little self-esteem back then that one negative crack about my stories would have made me too scared to submit anything, I’m afraid. Don’t give others TOO much power over your writing!

    Comment by Kristi Holl — June 7, 2009 @ 7:05 pm

  16. hi Kristi, What a great and helpful blog and thanks for your rave reviews of The Now Habit. I hope you’ll look at Awaken Your Strongest Self: Break Free of Stress, Inner Conflict/procrastination, and Self-Sabotage.
    Aim to start for 30-minutes, or 15; just get your “Fear Inoculation Shot” or break through inertia. You can continue for an additional 15-30 minutes of Un-interrupted time and total it as “billable hours”. I’ve written 5 books and a dissertation that way; totally 15-20 hours a week while working a full-time job. All the best, Neil Fiore See coaching at http://www.neilfiore.com/coach.shtml

    Comment by Neil Fiore — June 8, 2009 @ 6:10 pm

  17. Neil, thanks for taking time to comment on the posts. So nice to meet you! I’m indebted to anyone who can make the freelance life easier! 8-) I will certainly check out your other books. My students and I are all guilty of self-sabotage, I think. Sometimes just being able to identify it is the hardest part! I appreciate your approach to saner living. 8-)

    Comment by Kristi Holl — June 9, 2009 @ 5:42 am

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