Writing under duress...

SpookyWriter · Jan 15, 2007

How many of you, my fellow writers, felt as though you had to write, or else? Have you ever wakened in the middle of the night -- drenched in sweat -- and in fear that you hadn't done enough writing during the day.

Do you feel under a certain duress (or an obligation) to write? What is the need that feeds your tormented souls? Fame, honor, glory or a chance to story your accomplishments to friends and family.

Do you get a reprieve from the demons when you write?

Just curious,

Spooky

Ol' Fashioned Girl · Jan 15, 2007

If anything, I think the 'demons' are worse when I'm in the midst of a 'new' story. If I'm rewriting, spell-checking, formatting, whatever - not so much. But if I get deep into a new WIP and the characters are really alive... man, it's hell.

Sweet hell, but hell, just the same.

Simon Woodhouse · Jan 15, 2007

My daily target is usually 1000 words. I find it very difficult to stop at anything less than that, even if it's 999. Seeing the four figures – 1000, must be a psychological thing with me. But once I've gone past that number, I slow down or stop. I've found that anything beyond 1500 words a day and I start to write crap.

For me, the need to write comes from within, and I don't really think about anything beyond that (at least on a day to day basis). When I'm editing and polishing, like at the moment, my main concern is to make the MS as good as I can for the publisher.

Sometimes I think I could quite happily never write another word, and not really miss it. I can imagine looking back on the writing experience and just seeing it as something I used to do.

CaroGirl · Jan 15, 2007

Hmmm. Not exactly. I have too many other things in my brain at any given moment to stress about writing enough. I tend to be tired enough to fall into a black slumber hole soon after my dainty head hits the pillow.

However, I feel more satisfied if I've written a goodly chunk, or done an impressive amount of editing on any given day. I do get wee butterflies in my stomach when I think about one day getting accepted by an agent or publisher.

Pamster · Jan 15, 2007

Yes, I can definitely relate to this, in writing my memoir I was compelled to finish scenes and had great trouble putting it down because I did feel an obligation to my friend who features prominently in the book because she's part of why it was written. She died in 2002 and I promised her I'd finish our story which I did after years of being blocked. I think it was a great experience and I really enjoyed writing it. Some days I wrote 20-30 pages double spaced on Courier font size 14.

I don't always feel that way unless like Ol' Fashioned Girl said, it's a new work and the characters are really alive for me and it's really something I am just grooving on and don't want to stop. I tend to be a very prolific writer and that can work against me at times I am finding, because sometimes I am too wordy and it's only when I edit that I find myself removing things that seemed important at the time but that might not move the plot or be really worth having after careful consideration.

farfromfearless · Jan 15, 2007

Yep, for sure, it's called obsession (or dedication if you prefer the nice term). I've cranked out almost 10K this past weekend and hopefully will have another 15K more by end of week if I'm diligent.

Pamster · Jan 15, 2007

Feels good doesn't it farfromfearless?

I like dedication rather then obsession personally.

triceretops · Jan 15, 2007

Yes, pure guilt drives me out of bed and orders me to hammer the keys. I also believe that I'm prematurely dying, and that I better get it all down before my plug gets pulled. Happens every time with a new project. It's a marathon and I'm the only one cheering myself. I also have anxiety attacks that get me infront of the screen. I'm stark raving mad, I tell ya.

Tri

farfromfearless · Jan 15, 2007

Pamster said:
Feels good doesn't it farfromfearless? I like dedication rather then obsession personally.

I'll let you have that discussion with my wife LOL!

I actually have to curtail the amount of time I spend writing as its cutting into couple time with my wife.

Misty_Blue · Jan 15, 2007

There's always that constant fear that you'll get nowhere if you do, and nowhere if you don't.

greglondon · Jan 15, 2007

I am currently feeling pressure to write simply to finish what I started.

I've woke in the middle of the night with ideas for new stories and solutions to existing stories which had me stumped in some way. Usually not very sweaty.

My soul informs me that it is not feeling tormented.

My demon says "no comment"

farfromfearless · Jan 15, 2007

I've tried starting a new SS recently, but side-lined it as it was taking away from my current momentum.

Chasing the Horizon · Jan 15, 2007

Well, I don't wake up in the middle of the night, but I do frequently stay up all night writing.

I am extremely obsessed with my story and I do feel a driving need to not only get it written, but get it written well. I feel like my charactors are alive and that not telling their story or telling it poorly would be a discredit to all the amazing things they've done (if that makes sense to anyone).

I don't feel tormented by it because I love writing and am pretty much always enjoying myself when I'm at the computer.

kbax · Jan 15, 2007

triceretops said:

Yes, pure guilt drives me out of bed and orders me to hammer the keys. I also believe that I'm prematurely dying, and that I better get it all down before my plug gets pulled. Happens every time with a new project.

Okay. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I thought I was alone--mad as a hatter, and alone. This happens to me every time, too.

jennifer75 · Jan 15, 2007

Simon Woodhouse said:
My daily target is usually 1000 words. I find it very difficult to stop at anything less than that, even if it's 999. Seeing the four figures – 1000, must be a psychological thing with me. But once I've gone past that number, I slow down or stop. I've found that anything beyond 1500 words a day and I start to write crap.

For me, the need to write comes from within, and I don't really think about anything beyond that (at least on a day to day basis). When I'm editing and polishing, like at the moment, my main concern is to make the MS as good as I can for the publisher.

Sometimes I think I could quite happily never write another word, and not really miss it. I can imagine looking back on the writing experience and just seeing it as something I used to do.

During NaNo I reset my word counter every 10 words or so. Really.

SpookyWriter · Jan 15, 2007

I too wake up from sleep to continue on with the story. I've had many sleepless nights because of a plot twist or I just wanted to push on with the idea I had earlier. The art of writing is an obsession sometimes and it's difficult to have a healthy relationship when you're constantly thinking of someone else.

I can so understand how the celibate writer would tend to become more successful at their love for writing rather than with a real companion.

farfromfearless · Jan 15, 2007

I read a great article in the most recent issue of Writer Magazine (I forget the author) but it introduced an interesting methodology where by authors should take time at the beginning and end of their novels (the writing process) to let things "percolate" - I've noticed I've been doing a fair bit of that lately as I'm coming up to the end of my WIP; I definitely think there is some merit to it.

cinders23 · Jan 15, 2007

Once I have the draft done, I do a lot of editing and changing around so...I don't worry about how much I've written in a day because I never know until the end what words will be cut. Also...even if I don't write much in one day, other days I make up for it.

Cindy.

Jamesaritchie · Jan 15, 2007

SpookyWriter said:
How many of you, my fellow writers, felt as though you had to write, or else? Have you ever wakened in the middle of the night -- drenched in sweat -- and in fear that you hadn't done enough writing during the day.

Do you feel under a certain duress (or an obligation) to write? What is the need that feeds your tormented souls? Fame, honor, glory or a chance to story your accomplishments to friends and family.

Do you get a reprieve from the demons when you write?

Just curious,

Spooky

If I felt this way, I'd seek profesional help immediately. For me, "tormented soul," and phrases such as "must write" rank right up there with "The voices in my head told me to do it."

Elodie-Caroline · Jan 15, 2007

The thing that makes me want to write all the time, and guilty when I'm not doing it is; I have a large growth on my forehead, it's been checked out over the last 6 months, but the medical profession don't know what it is. I've been to a bone specialist and had a CAT scan; all to no avail. Next month I've got to see a Neurosurgeon and am quite frightened to tell the truth. So I keep writing because I want to finish both of my WIPs; in case I find out it might be too late to do so...
I know, I sound like a complete drama queen lol.

Ellie

SpookyWriter said:
Do you feel under a certain duress (or an obligation) to write? What is the need that feeds your tormented souls? Fame, honor, glory or a chance to story your accomplishments to friends and family.

Do you get a reprieve from the demons when you write?

Just curious,

Spooky

Chasing the Horizon · Jan 15, 2007

Jamesaritchie said:
If I felt this way, I'd seek profesional help immediately. For me, "tormented soul," and phrases such as "must write" rank right up there with "The voices in my head told me to do it."

The voices in my head do tell me things.

Seriously, I hear my characters voices every bit as clear as I do those of real people. Same goes for scenes, it's like watching TV only I can do it anywhere. I have back and forth conversations with my characters in my head. (I don't talk out loud since I can hear their thoughts and I guess they can hear mine since they respond)

I'm not crazy because I still know the difference between reality and imagination. IMO, when you can't tell whether someone is living in your house or in your head, that's when it's time to get help.

Of course, my goal is to go crazy so I can just live in my stories forever, so maybe I shouldn't be giving advice.

Jamesaritchie · Jan 15, 2007

Hope To The Horizon said:
I'm not crazy because I still know the difference between reality and imagination. IMO, when you can't tell whether someone is living in your house or in your head, that's when it's time to get help.

Of course, my goal is to go crazy so I can just live in my stories forever, so maybe I shouldn't be giving advice.

Even the craziest person out there thinks he can tell the difference between reality and imagination. That's why they don't seek help. At least, this is what my leprechaun tells me, and I believe everything he says.

Siddow · Jan 15, 2007

Hope To The Horizon said:
IMO, when you can't tell whether someone is living in your house or in your head, that's when it's time to get help.

Well, I'm in trouble.

I had a name ringing through my head...couldn't place it...asked a friend. "Do you know so-and-so? His name keeps popping into my head, and I can't remember how I know him. Tall, dark-haired, works in construction?"

Der. One of my characters.

(I'll go take something now...thanks, JAR, for showing me that I'm insane.)

SpookyWriter · Jan 15, 2007

Jamesaritchie said:
If I felt this way, I'd seek profesional help immediately. For me, "tormented soul," and phrases such as "must write" rank right up there with "The voices in my head told me to do it."

I did seek the best help available, on my budget, and Miss Snark has provided me with a glimpse of the future of writing.

"What? Are you the nitwit of the century?"

ChaosTitan · Jan 15, 2007

I don't wake up in the middle of the night, but when I am in the throes of a brand new relationship (as I am right now with the new WIP), I tend to obsess. I think about the story and characters all the time. Car, shower, work, doesn't matter. Always coming up with new scenes, with dialogue and bits of the plot.

I also tend to feel guilty if I don't get "enough" writing done, but what is considered enough? 500 words? 1500 words? Every single word I can manage before my fingers fall off and the computer implodes?

Writing under duress...

SpookyWriter

Ol' Fashioned Girl

Hand? What hand?

Simon Woodhouse

CaroGirl

Living the dream

Pamster

Counting Stars

farfromfearless

Pamster

Counting Stars

triceretops

farfromfearless

Misty_Blue

greglondon

Planet Wookie techno geek

farfromfearless

Chasing the Horizon

Blowing in the Wind

kbax

Refrigerate After Opening

jennifer75

SupahStah!

SpookyWriter

farfromfearless

cinders23

Jamesaritchie

Elodie-Caroline

Chasing the Horizon

Blowing in the Wind

Jamesaritchie

Siddow

I'm super! Thanks for asking

SpookyWriter

ChaosTitan

Around