 |
| Click here to find out more and to see a list of other IWSG blogs. |
Do we writers suffer from multiple personalities? I ask because sometimes I feel like there are two people living inside me.
Neither will leave me alone.
When I purposely try to take a break from writing, I get edgy. When I get the idea for a story that grabs me, I can't not write it. The characters scream to be made real, to be given life outside of my head.
Another voice is telling me all that time that I'm fooling myself to think I can do this, that I should just quit. It's not like there aren't plenty of other authors out there. No one would care.
I could just go quietly into the night and play lots of StarCraft and League of Legends. Trade one hobby for another.
All these voices in my head.
Fighting it out.
Am I nuts?
* * * * * * * * * *
On St. Paddy's Day, I'm part of a book signing event. Obviously, I was listening to one voice when I agreed to do it. Kind of excited to spend time with these peeps. They're a fun group. We're having a Rafflecopter giveaway for people who can't come.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
No, because I could spend hours playing Starcraft. And I have!
ReplyDeleteHaha And I have too. Lately, it's been League.
DeleteI know what you mean about those voices in your head. I have them too.
ReplyDeleteSee? We must have multiple personalities. And only some of them are our characters. lol
DeleteWe're all nuts. Torn between "normal" and listening to the voices. But you know it's more rewarding to be utterly mad with a pen in your hand. :)
ReplyDeleteLove that image: utterly mad with a pen in your hand.
DeleteI agree with L.G. We're all nuts. The voices in our heads never seem to shut up.
ReplyDeleteAt least I can give some of them peace. It's the one that steal my peace that really make me nuts.
Deletelol I'm nuts too. I even have a voice of a cat. But you knew that
ReplyDeleteYeah. That cat guy. ;)
DeleteAh, just this morning I had that discussion with myself. I was looking at a half-stripped rocking chair I planned to refinish and wondering if I wouldn't enjoy doing that more than pounding my fingers/head against a keyboard. Then I sighed and sat down to type.
ReplyDeleteWell, I do find time to play some games. My hubby is so supportive, and that is our outlet. I try to make sure we get in a couple of games and then I can get to work. After work. (that dang day job)
DeleteI SO relate to this. I think you learn to quiet that voice of doubt after a while. It gets quieter anyway.
ReplyDeleteI hope so. I keep thinking that each book will make the good voice stronger. It has. Unfortunately, the negative voice has strengthened too.
DeleteI apologize in advance for this being so long. (It's an old Cherokee tale. I believe) But I think this is the best response to your post:
ReplyDeleteAn old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. “A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy.
“It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.” He continued, “The other is good – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you – and inside every other person, too.”
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”
The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”
I've heard this before but needed this reminder. It's lovely and soooo true. Thank you!
DeleteI get that way to sometimes - should I just take up another hobby. If you can't NOT write - then you have to write. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd why I keep sitting at my desk and writing. It beats the twitches anyway. :D
Deleteyou are most probably and quite positively absolutely nuts :)
ReplyDeleteAll right, then. It's settled!
DeleteHoly carp! I was going to come here today and say that if you are nuts, then so am I. I don't have a whole lot of time and wawsn't going to read any of the other comments, but when I came to comments my computer stopped at the one above from 'authrocgcapolla'. I don't know who that it, but you can bet I'm gonna look them up. that Cherokee proverb is exactly what I needed to her today. Now I'm off to make a meal for that wolf who is 'good' and telling me that I CAN DO THIS. Hey, I bet you can too!
ReplyDeleteYou CAN do this! Go feed that wolf.
DeleteI don't think you're nuts! But then, there'd be nothing wrong with that if you were. I like nuts...
ReplyDelete>_>
<_<
Who cares how many authors there are out there? They don't have your story. Rotate through hobbies if you think it'll help, but come back, and don't stay away too long. :)
Seriously. My problem is this day job. It's a real time suck for the things I REALLY want to do. ;)
DeleteYeah, there are a lot of writers out there vying for publication. Writing is a hobby for me also, which is probably why there feels like more than one personality shouting for preference in me.
ReplyDeleteI guess it comes down to not setting your self-esteem on your writing. You can paint just for the please of painting. Or garden to see thing grown. You can write just for the sheer pleasure of being creative.
DeleteI don't know that I have 'voices', exactly; when I'm on, I've got the movie going in my head, though. It can be quite distracting.
ReplyDeleteA movie in your head. That's a good description, Jeff, because, yeah, I see scenes play out in my mind. That's when the stories come to life for me.
DeleteI know about that persistent nag when a strong idea won't leave me alone. On the one hand, I have other things to do and cherish my free time and sleep time. On the other, I'm glad for that motivation, because it carries me through the draft.
ReplyDeleteYes. It's always about the balance. We can't write about life if we're not also living it.
DeleteI think the question should be...Is beign nuts really so bad? ;) I enjoy the different voices, it helps keep me sharp. So long as you enjoy yourself, it's all good:)
ReplyDelete:D I like that. My father would have agreed.
Delete