What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing – and can you eliminate it?
When I first read this prompt, I had no idea how to answer it. The thing is, I don’t consider myself a writer. I’ve never had any dreams of getting anything published. I understand that many people who want to be writers start out blogging because it’s a way to start writing and make connections. But blogging and emailing are the only kinds of writing I ever do and they’re the only kinds I have a desire to do.
That said, blogging and emailing are quite important to me. I do enjoy the writing process, and I highly value the connections I’ve made through my blog. And I keep up with some of my best friends, who live in other states, through emails. They are pretty impressive emails, too. I’d like to think that if any of us got famous one day they’d want to publish those emails.
So what keeps me from blogging and emailing more?
Well, the rest of my life. I only have a few hours every evening after I get home from work and before sleep takes me by force, and there are other things I’m interested in too, like spending time with family, eating, playing with my dogs, reading, whipping my house into shape, and a few – only a few – select TV shows.
All of the things I have going on in my life are things that are important to me, and I’m not willing to eliminate them. I honestly don’t have a lot of time-wasters happening. So instead of exchanging one habit for another, I’ll just have to work on balancing it all.
From Renee:
I’ve come across quite a few reverb10 posts that are pretty frustrated with this prompt because they don’t identify as writers. Truthfully, limiting a prompt to this is kinda bullshit, but I really like the angle you took. Great post, dear!
From kapachino:
Agreed! I was kind of upset when I first read it. I thought it was a bit pretentious. But I just tried to make it work for me, and this is what I came up with. :)
From San:
You couldn’t have said it better, Kathleen. That’s how I feel about writing. I love blogging and emailing (and even writing real letters!), but I am not dreaming of becoming a published author.
I think balancing all the things that you like to do is absolutely key.
From Uncle David:
Dear Kat,
I have always considered writing but then I read Cormac McCarthy or James Leee Burke or even Lee Child and realize I don’t have “it”. It’s like music and art to me, can’t do it at all but i can enjoy the heck out of it and writers, musicians, and artists need an appreciative audience so I do my part.
Love you and take care.
UD