January 18, 2012

I’m on a quest in 2012 to put the joy back into writing. Part of that joy includes being free.

I want to share a gem I read the other day in this book: C. S. Lewis’ Letters to Children. It is reported that C. S. Lewis answered all his mail (stacks of it daily), and he did most of it by hand. Occasionally his brother, Warnie, typed the answers he dictated. (Lewis didn’t type.)

Once Lewis’ Narnia books were published, much of his fan mail was from children. He answered it all, their questions about Narnia and their questions about becoming writers. Some of the letters were collected for this book. I love how he talked to even the younger children rather “man to man.”

Advice for Writers

This piece of advice, given to a young fan, is advice we would all do well to adhere to. Lewis wrote:

“I have one other piece of advice. Remember that there are only three kinds of things anyone need ever do.

(1) Things we ought to do

(2) Things we’ve got to do

(3) Things we like doing.

I say this because some people seem to spend so much of their time doing things for none of the three reasons, things like reading books they don’t like because other people read them. Things you ought to do are things like doing one’s school work or being nice to people. Things one has got to do are things like dressing and undressing, or household shopping. Things one likes doing–but of course I don’t what you like. Perhaps you’ll write and tell me one day.”

What wonderful advice! In every life–including the writing life–there are things one ought to do, things we have to do, and things we like to do. And, as Lewis obviously knew, you won’t have time to do the things you like to do (including writing about the things you want to write about), if you’re being swayed by what others think you should be doing with your time.

What About You? Are You Free?

Most of us have areas where we don’t feel free, where we ”bend” our true selves into a shape that we hope is pleasing to others. It might be in how we dress, or how we talk, which opinions we voice, what topics we write about, what movies we watch, how we decorate our homes–you name it. While I don’t waste time reading books I don’t like (as Lewis advised), I know that my writing time is often eaten up by things that don’t fit Lewis’ 1-2-3 criteria.

If you’re having trouble finding time to write, time to study, and time to read good books–all those necessary “writerly” activities–assess your activities. Hold each one up to the light of Lewis’ recommendations. He fulfilled his true responsibilities to others (#1 and #2), but he also read what he liked and wrote what he liked. (And he did it despite criticism, including having his friend, J. R. R. Tolkein suggest that he give up on those Narnia tales.)

While I don’t expect to write like C. S. Lewis, I do like his rules! If those guidelines were good enough for Lewis, they’re good enough for us!

5 Comments »

1. 

   Ah, this is very familiar! It’s what I’m trying to figure out with my life right now! My problem is I’m not sure I can tell the difference between “what I ought to do” and “what OTHER people think I ought to do.” What if they’re right? Frankly, sometimes I KNOW they’re right, sort of– I’m a slob, and I really don’t care when my house is cluttered as long as it’s not Growing And/Or Attracting Strange Life Forms– but maybe I’m wrong about that? *SIGH* I am so prone to doing what other people think I should be doing that sometimes I don’t even know what my own real opinion is…

   Comment by rockinlibrarian — January 18, 2012 @ 3:31 pm

2. 

   What a great quote! I have enjoyed Lewis’ nonfiction even more than Narnia. Luxury is truly doing what you like best! I am thankful for this writing life.

   Comment by Vijaya — January 18, 2012 @ 8:02 pm

3. 

   Thanks, Kristi. I, too, am on a writing quest of freeing myself of those roadblocks that sap the joy out of writing or keep me from writing at all. I need to follow my heart and not get so side-tracked by negative voices. Thanks for all your encouragement, Kristi!

   Comment by Trudy Den Hoed — January 19, 2012 @ 11:54 am

4. 

   Rockinlibrarian, I usually have the very same issue…as I have quite a few “others” who think they know how I should best spend my time. I think journaling in a quiet place has helped me know my own mind better than almost anything else. It’s a very good habit to get into!

   Vijaya, I love his nonfiction too. It runs such a gamut. Some of it you can read straight through, and some of it I have to re-read sentences three or four times to “get” it. Wonderful writer!

   Trudy, I just got a book (unread yet) about following your heart and knowing when it’s perfectly fine to follow the desires of your heart. We people pleasers seem to need some “authority figure” to tell us that it’s fine–even good–to follow your heart!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — January 23, 2012 @ 2:03 pm

5. 

   As a writer I know what I like and ought to do and have to do. But sometimes it get very difficult specially what I ought to do and have to do. I hope all these three gets smooth this year. Because it’s the only way to get me some where as a writer.

   Comment by msdiamondhill — January 24, 2012 @ 5:40 am

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