March 17, 2010

Although I sold my first piece of writing twenty-seven years ago, there have been many times that I wondered if I could possibly be a “real writer.” Why? Because many days I didn’t feel like writing–and getting started was always so darned difficult.

Unlike famous writers I read about, I rarely had this burning desire to fly to the keyboard and write. (And I do mean rarely–like three or four times in all these years.)

And yet, I could never quit writing, no matter how discouraging the rejection letters or the markets or the economy. I couldn’t imagine not writing.

The Light Goes On

Last weekend I bought a book with my Valentine’s Day Border’s gift card.  And in the opening chapters of Kelly L. Stone’s Time to Write: professional writers reveal how to fit writing into your busy life, I caught a glimpse of the answer.

I had apparently always harbored a wrong perception of writers and their “burning desire to write.” I actually did have it–I just didn’t know I had it! I fit her description to a T.

I bet you do too!

The Burning Desire

As I read through the descriptions of “a burning desire to write,” a hallmark of life-long writers, I met myself on every page. Here are three of the criteria–see if they apply to you too.

1. It’s a special feeling you get after you write, when you experience that deep satisfaction that nothing but writing can bring you. You feel settled, content. When you don’t write, you feel restless, agitated, and like things aren’t quite okay.
2. A Burning Desire to Write can manifest itself by creating a certain amount of discomfort or aggravation at having to maintain traditional employment because the writer inside wants to be writing instead. You may fear being stuck in a dead-end job that leaves you too exhausted to write.
3. Do you actually like yourself better on days that you write versus the days that you don’t? That’s your Burning Desire to Write coming into play.

Is This You Too?

“No matter what your daily environment,” says author Kelly Stone, “if you yearn to find time to write, please be encouraged, because many people have done it while holding down jobs and juggling multiple responsibilities. Because of your Burning Desire, you are motivated to make time to write.”

Having a life-long desire to write hasn’t manifested itself in ways I had thought it would. And yet, every criteria mentioned in this writing book is something I totally identify with. How about you?

17 Comments »

1. 

   I follow your blog and I’ve read your book Writer’s First Aid.

   I’d like to say that I found your post most interesting. I’m going to add this book to my want to read list. Thanks for blogging about it.

   Comment by Susanne Drazic — March 17, 2010 @ 8:20 am

2. 

   Susanne, thanks for your post! I love when I find books like this that really “speak” to me and let me know that others feel the same way I do–and it’s okay!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — March 17, 2010 @ 8:25 am

3. 

   OMG (my 12 year old is rubbing off on me:-)), Kristi…your three criteria fit me to a T! I have to go get that book. Thank you for the nudge and clarification. It does make me feel much better to look at the burning desire to write in those terms.

   Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

   Karin
   http://www.karin-larson.blogspot.com

   Comment by Karin Larson — March 17, 2010 @ 8:30 am

4. 

   Karin, I will bet there are a LOT more writers like you and me (and this author) than the kind who are driven to write day and night throughout their careers. It’s nice to know that this desire can manifest in a variety of ways!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — March 17, 2010 @ 8:45 am

5. 

   I love writing and reading books. I love the notion that people can make things up in their mind and then make them real on a page, for the pleasure or utility of someone else.

   Comment by whiteshark0121 — March 17, 2010 @ 8:53 am

6. 

   THANK YOU for this post! I am just like you. I’ve always been intimidated by people who say things like, “I’ve been writing for hours every day since I was seven.” My writing has been more in fits and starts, but the three criterion of “burning desire” fits me perfectly. I feel so much better (and validated) now.

   Comment by Julie — March 17, 2010 @ 12:54 pm

7. 

   Julie, it DOES feel good to be validated! I felt the same way when I read this!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — March 18, 2010 @ 5:50 am

8. 

   Oh Kristi, I didn’t think I had that “burning desire” to write either. But I read each of those three criteria and said “Yes, yes YES!” That’s me! LOL

   Thank you for sharing this – Like Julie, I feel so much better and validated, too. )

   Comment by Beth — March 18, 2010 @ 6:19 am

9. 

   Thanks for the great post, Kristi. I’ve been going through a doubtful time when I wondered if I really was a writer and whether there was some standard I should be living up to in order to qualify. There are lots of times I just don’t feel like writing either; I mean, it’s hard work! Then I found myself exactly portrayed in the 3 criteria you posted. Whew! Feeling much better now and have added Time to Write to my “must own” list.

   Comment by Heather — March 18, 2010 @ 11:53 am

10. 

    Thank you, Kristi, for the encouragement. I needed it because I received a rejection today. I believe it is a good article, but just not the right fit (not quite sure why). I learn a lot from your blog.

    Comment by Sue Tornai — March 18, 2010 @ 3:58 pm

11. 

    Beth and Heather, I am finding there are a LOT of writers like us! Most of us have unrealistic ideas about what it looks like to be a “real writer.” After thirty years of writing, I find myself STILL waiting to transform into my ideal writer image.

    And Sue, thanks for your comment. I appreciate it. Rejections are hard–but you’re in good company here. We all go through it. Let us know about your acceptances too–and they will happen!

    Comment by Kristi Holl — March 20, 2010 @ 8:21 pm

12. 

    Thanks for the tips on finding time to write. My problem is that I have alot going on and I get distracted as far as “fitting” in writing time throughout my day. I have somehow convinced myself that 15 minutes is just not enough time and that if I don’t have at least an hour of time I can’t do it. How do you get the wheels of the mind churning and write something useful in 15 minutes? Thanks for any advice you can give.

    Comment by Pam — March 22, 2010 @ 3:08 pm

13. 

    Pam, I wrote books for many years in 15-minute segments. I carefully outlined small steps I could take in 15 minutes: think of titles, work on a characater sketch, proofread two pages, etc. And when I was writing a rough draft scene, I did my pre-thinking while folding diapers (we did that back then) or washing dishes or pushing a baby on a swing or whatever. I visualized the whole scene, what the characters would say, how the conflict could be increased, etc. and then when I finally got to my typewriter for 15 minutes, I typed like crazy, putting down the movie in my mind. I NEVER waited until I got to my desk to start thinking. There isn’t enough time for that. This pre-thinking is part of the writing process too–a big part–and it can be done while doing chores or driving or mowing grass or whatever!

    Comment by Kristi Holl — March 23, 2010 @ 5:03 am

14. 

    Thanks so much Kristi, for the great suggestions! I’m a beginning writer, just getting ready to sign up for the Children’s Writer course, so I will keep that advice very handy!

    Comment by Pam — March 23, 2010 @ 4:27 pm

15. 

    You are perfectly right when you said that, “And yet, I could never quit writing, no matter how discouraging the rejection letters or the markets or the economy. I couldn’t imagine not writing”.

    That burning passion in you simply means you are a writer. A real writer is not actually known by professional degrees alone (although it helps) but, the passion is what will make you write the best pieces of works in your entire life.

    Comment by Writer Pro Mary — July 14, 2010 @ 11:01 pm

16. 

    Learning to write is an ongoing process. Those that have the desire to write have usually been writing for years. Scribbling on the back of scrap paper or writing reminders on restaurant napkins is the life of the budding writer.

    Comment by Writer Pro Mary — July 19, 2010 @ 2:07 am

17. 

    New writers always worry about talent, but “talent” is no indication of ability to write. If you have the desire to write, that’s a fair indication that you have all the ability you need.

    Comment by Professional Manuscript Editing — August 16, 2010 @ 3:20 am

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