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My 10 struggles with writing
4 min readDec 2, 2021
- Scheduling. I’m sure most writers have figured this out. It can’t be that difficult — allocate some time, say, in the morning, and write. Well, I struggle. One problem I don’t have, not yet anyway, is a lack of ideas for writing. So I can and do act impulsively on them, disrupting my other activities — work, overseeing my kids’ schooling, and so on
- Why the fuck am I doing this at all? Let me explain. It’s not that I want to give up or doubt. But when I have a bad day, I question if I’m getting my priorities right. I had this moment this very morning. It’s like I can hear someone very mature and accomplished say “Dude, grow up. Go do real work, go spend time with your family, get your priorities right. Time to put your toy away.”
- The fear of giving up. I’ve written every single day since I started writing in mid-October. It’s been pretty easy overall. Again — no lack of ideas. It’s not the temptation of giving up that I’m talking about. I’m not at all tempted. But the fear is there. What if a year later, all that will be left of my writing is this couple of months. Indeed, in that case, it will have all been just a toy. You know how kids get bored with toys after the initial excitement and they are left lying idle, collecting dust?
- The balance between serious and humorous stories (and outright trash!). I am totally fine without having a niche. In fact, it’s my conscious approach. My life experiences and the ideas in my head are too many to determine a niche at this point. I’m experimenting and hoping that each…