WRITING PROCESS V.S. WRITING TO GET PUBLISHED
Hey folks!
I’m introducing here what I call a “writer shot”, which will be really quick points about dos and don’ts, what has helped me and what has driven me crazy in my own journey as a writer. Sometimes these shots are me telling you all of my business: the mistakes I’ve made, the insecurities I’ve had, and the successes. Sometimes these shots are really quick pointers on what to look forward to as you find yourself falling deeper into the rabbit hole that is “writing”. Because I am a predominantly a poet (I do write other things like…like I mean this for instance haha), I will be using my experience as a poet as the lens for all these observations. But trust me when I say most writers go through similar thoughts, processes, and “I’m pulling my hair out” moments. So let me slide to you this first shot:
Shot #1: Just Say No
When I write I am not thinking about the next place that’s going to publish what I’m working. It takes me a long time between writing spurts to create something, sometimes many months. I’ll then have a really dope spell where I’m writing a poem a day for a couple of months then a poem a week then nothing for 6 months. It’s like the well of inspiration chucked the deuces and dried up, then took the bucket, then collapsed in on itself. That’s when you think “Well that’s never coming back” and #dehydration.
With an unpredictable writing process, it helps me to just allow stuff to come as it pleases and not under deadlines that I did not set for myself or with aesthetic constrictions imposed on my wanting to get into xyz journal, magazine, website or whatever. I think doing the latter is poisonous. Trying to meet every open call for submission, every solicitation, or every deadline or contest can be really bad for the writing. So saying “no” to yourself and to those places every now and then could be useful. Get down what is important to you, make that the bigger picture. When you finish and have edited to the point where your work is so clean that as people read their eyes will slide right off the screen or page, then you research places that might be interested in your piece about “Prince: What the Doves Really Represent And Why They Stay Crying” or “25 Things Both Rabbits and Human Share”. Don’t let an imagined audience freeze your creativity! Don’t allow self-applied pressure to make this really enjoyable experience turn into the dissertation of death.
P.S. – Don’t get me wrong! Audience is a big deal and some writers get their kicks from writing immensely tailored pieces for a specific group of people. But I also suggest writing what you write and letting your audience find you. Sometimes you as a writer are on that new-new and people need to catch up with you and your brilliance. Don’t be afraid to let them! And do not be afraid to check yourself when your new-new is more like no-no. We’ll get into that in a future post!
Resources:
Check out Buzzfeed’s “24 Quotes That Will Inspire You To Write More” and if you are interesting in how to write for an audience check out The Writing Center at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill’s article on “Audience”.
~Phillip
Glappitnova unites influencers and talent from different industries through storytelling, performances, classes, and events for one crazy 8 day experience in Chicago.
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