What's the point?

mum23 · Jun 20, 2007

I've been writing for the last 2/3 years. Collecting information, trying to put it down on paper. feeding from feelings of anger or love. Today I feel like giving up. what is the point?
What is the meaning of life? To be shit on from a great height? Or to look at a person and think 'i dont really know you.'
Who am I writing for. Me? Today i'm not. I'm tired and washed up.

jenfreedom · Jun 20, 2007

I'm sorry you're feeling so down in the dumps. Me too. Must be something in the water lately. But you can't be cheerful all the time. It's unlikely to adore what you do all the time. If you're tired and washed up today maybe you need a break. Take the kids to the zoo (wait, is it nice weather down under?), or do another creative thing -- artwork, read, cook. Or do nothing. Take a good long nap, slack for a while, rest your brain. Don't write if it's making you miserable.

If you don't think writing for yourself is working try to figure out who you should be writing for. Or find something else you might like better. I don't think any one person can answer exactly what it is you need. But you sound like you need something significant. Did someone say something stupid to you today. You sound angry with more than yourself?

Take care.
~ Jennifer

seun · Jun 20, 2007

Sounds like you're a little cheesed off. Take a break, good woman. Do something completely un-writing related for a day or so. Avoid being shit on. Or you could film it and post it online. I hear there's a market for that sort of thing.

Either way, chin up and all that.

akiwiguy · Jun 20, 2007

jenfreedom said:
I'm sorry you're feeling so down in the dumps. Me too. Must be something in the water lately.

Hmmm, it's really catching. For some reason I have been wondering if I really can be bothered writing anymore. But I know that in a day or two I'll be back at it.

Taking a break as the others have suggested sounds the best thing.

I posted a thread somewhere else today where I asked if any others experience something that I certainly do, and that I have read is very common amongst creative people - namely a depression that follows a period of intense creativity, especially at the completion of something. Your expression "washed up" is very similar to what I go through, and I'm not saying you'd relate to this, but I'd be curious to know if others experience that kind of washed-out depressed feeling after really throwing yourself into creative work?

But what ever your situation mum23, be kind to yourself.

licity-lieu · Jun 20, 2007

Hey there. I've certainly just taken a dip in that pond of late. I posted about it a couple of weeks ago. I did what others here have suggested--took a wee break and concentrated on other creative pursuits (which is painting for me) I felt rejuvinated for sure. I believe every day is either going to be up hill or down. When I'm down generally I do what it says in my sig line. Chopa da wood and carry de water!
Go with it mum23--it's what will make you stronger. Take care.

larocca · Jun 20, 2007

If you're bummed out on writing, give me everything you haven't finished because I have no new ideas of my own.

No, I'm just kidding. I've quit writing more times than I've quit smoking, and I keep going back to writing. I finally did quit smoking permanently.

I hate to make light of your pain, but it's what I do best. I mean, um, I agree with everyone else. It'll pass. I don't know how to say that without it looking like I'm making light.

Best regards from a Malaysian net cafe,
Michael

Mel · Jun 20, 2007

You're working on something that's not easy. Maybe time to give yourself a break. What about doing another on the side, a funny, or fun story, long or short. You could use the antics of your daughters and make a story, maybe one for them. Give yourself the time to play so it isn't all serious stuff. Just an idea.

Little Red Barn · Jun 20, 2007

What's the point?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I've been writing for the last 2/3 years. Collecting information, trying to put it down on paper. feeding from feelings of anger or love. Today I feel like giving up. what is the point?
What is the meaning of life? To be shit on from a great height? Or to look at a person and think 'i dont really know you.'
Who am I writing for. Me? Today i'm not. I'm tired and washed up.[mum]
_________________________________________________________________
:looks up: You beat me to it mum.

Must be the water. I'm so sick of writing at this moment. Its always been a love/hate relationship with my book--now its come down to the line in-between, Indifference.

Williebee · Jun 20, 2007

In the winter time, when the dark is darker, and the cold stays all day long, it's a lot easier to stay inside and write. In the summer? All the home chores from winter are still there, but now they have their house and yard chores clamoring at me as well. It makes it harder to justify staying strapped to the keyboard.

But, writing is as much a habit as a vocation.

Mum -- Sit down and write 100-500 words about something silly, something fun. Write about a dog's laughter and then come back and drop it on us. It sure looks like this list could use some smiles.

Then, go outside. Take a "mental shower." Wash the shyte off of you. Sit down tomorrow and figure out how many words you have in you then. If it's not your vocation, or if it's not entertaining you anymore.... At least you'll have dropped the habit with a clear head.

HOWEVER (And there's always a however in life.) If it's in your blood? Tain't an easy habit to break.

MidnightMuse · Jun 20, 2007

Best thing I can offer is: Take two steps sideways.

Put your research, your writing, your thoughts of the story aside and go do something else for a bit. Play with another hobby you have, take a walk on a beach (or woods, or whatever). Get yourself an all-consuming project that will keep your mind off writing for a few days, or a couple of weeks.

When it's over, you might find your mind wandering back to writing. If not, then . . . :Shrug:

Will you be less of a person in your mind if you don't write?

Most of us get this way now and again, it's best you acknowledge that it happens, let it happen while you do something else, then come back. Otherwise you risk stressing, freaking out, and droping it altogether.

Sean D. Schaffer · Jun 20, 2007

mum23 said:
I've been writing for the last 2/3 years. Collecting information, trying to put it down on paper. feeding from feelings of anger or love. Today I feel like giving up. what is the point?
What is the meaning of life? To be shit on from a great height? Or to look at a person and think 'i dont really know you.'
Who am I writing for. Me? Today i'm not. I'm tired and washed up.

I feel like that all the time, mum23. I have been writing for almost a quarter of a century, and I'm still not published yet. I feel so drained a lot of the time, and I think that has to do with the long wait I've had to deal with when it comes to getting somewhere in the writing world.

I hope you feel better soon, and if you feel bad about your writing, maybe you should take a break. It might help to clear your mind and give you a fresh outlook on your writing as well as life.

I'll talk to you later, hopefully, and I hope you have a good next few days. Don't be afraid to take a break when you need to. Sometimes we all need some time to recuperate from the effects of writing and its necessities.

Uncarved · Jun 20, 2007

I've been writing for 15 years. I've had plenty of those moments.
Step back, breathe, and come back when you feel like it. It will call you back when you're ready.

janetbellinger · Jun 20, 2007

Live your life fully and appreciate the blessings. You only have one life to live. Don't make your happiness dependant upon the whims of the reading public or a publisher's acceptance. Live life with joy, even if you never get published. Happiness is a decision. Even if you get published, it will only make you happy for a short time. After that it falls back to you to decide whether or not to be happy. I try to never put all my eggs in one basket when it comes to creative expression and achievement. Sorry for sounding like some sort of new-age pain in the butt but that's my philosophy on life. But then, I'm 56 and don't have as many years left as you and can't afford to waste any mourning what may never happen. I'll get off my soapbox now.

mum23 said:
I've been writing for the last 2/3 years. Collecting information, trying to put it down on paper. feeding from feelings of anger or love. Today I feel like giving up. what is the point?
What is the meaning of life? To be shit on from a great height? Or to look at a person and think 'i dont really know you.'
Who am I writing for. Me? Today i'm not. I'm tired and washed up.

Jamesaritchie · Jun 20, 2007

Writing

I think writing is something that should be done as long as it's enjoyable, and stopped the moment it's no longer fun. Life is full of things to do, and there's something every last one of us can do that fills our hours with pleasure. Sometimes it's writing, sometimes it's something else altogether.

Soccer Mom · Jun 20, 2007

A bad day is a bad day. The writing police will not come and get you if you take a break. Step away from the computer and do something you enjoy. When the urge to write comes back to you, pull up a chair and do just that.

Azure Skye · Jun 20, 2007

Don't be afraid to go out and have fun for a while. The bad day will pass. And if it doesn't, then you have a decision to make. Hugs!

wordmonkey · Jun 20, 2007

When I started writing I was at a career-fork. I'd just lost a job, my wife just got a job (paying more than I was pulling down) so staying home with the baby was my new job. What to do?

I looked at going back to university and doing something new. The idea of an English-based degree sounded good. Build on what I had in a different direction. But the time and money wouldn't allow it to happen.

So I just started writing. Educating myself. Learn by doing.

Four years later, I made my first sale.

Basically worked out that the amount of time I would have spent on campus was the same amount of time it took me to get going.

At the end of the day it comes down to a lucky break. But you have to be in the right place and have developed the right skills to take advantage of that luck.

Pack it all up and go sit on a beach, or wander a park, or sit in a gallery and just absorb the radiant creativity. Then come back and start over.

It's a job! It's got the same grind and crap that all jobs have. Accept it then find something you love more. Or accept it and push forward.

KTC · Jun 20, 2007

So, give up today. Throw it all away and determine to NOT be a writer.

Wake up and start over tomorrow...and be kind to yourself. It's okay to write for you. When it's good, it's really good...right? (And I mean the feeling you get when you're deep in your head writing away and forgetting that you're a writer clicking fingers or moving a pen across the page...when you get into that zone and you disappear and the words keep coming.)

But, today...stop being a writer. Take a break. Get up from the chair and do something else. Climb a mountain. Writing will be waiting for you when you get back down.

Sassenach · Jun 20, 2007

There is no point.

KTC · Jun 20, 2007

Which is exactly the point.

huggy4ever · Jun 20, 2007

The point is to help someone. You can help someone by one story at a time. It will reach out to touch someones soul in a good way. Keep up the excellent work!

mum23 · Jun 20, 2007

Thakns everyone. :Hug2:

Kudra · Jun 21, 2007

Have you read Natalie Goldberg's Writing Down the Bones? It's a book I go to when I feel like this. She's a new-agey pain in the butt, but a brilliant one at that.

mum23 · Jun 21, 2007

I have heard of it thanks.
I think it's a confidence thing and not really writing what I had intended eventhough what I am now writing seems to be much better. definately more emotion.

perhaps today I will make an effort and colour my hair. Have taken my youngest to the swings and for a walk along the canal so a bit more at peace with myself. Still have so much anger to get on paper, but after my opening chapter, fee like too much anger at present.

seun · Jun 21, 2007

mum23 said:
perhaps today I will make an effort and colour my hair

Maybe I'll do the same. It'll take me all of five seconds.

What's the point?

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