Obstacles and the Writer’s Life
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By Tim Anderson
“The biggest obstacle to professional writing is the necessity for changing a typewriter ribbon.”
–Robert Benchley
The plight of the writer apparently persists from era to era. The writer stopped dead in his tracks in the 1940s by a typewriter ribbon is no different than the modern writer sidetracked by a faulty hard drive. Each had a compelling storyline, wonderful intentions, and a bit of momentum.
A tad bit too little, apparently.
What do you do when the unthinkable raises its head and causes you to think again? How fragile is your resolve, how fleeting your inspiration? It’s a difficult part of being a writer. It’s a central aspect as well, and that’s as it should be. Life is a bit herky-jerky. Why should writing be any different?
Try this. When an obstacle jumps in front of your express train to the perfect piece, take a deep breath. Then, as you exhale, get the cursing out of the way quickly. It’s the most efficient method, and much better than putting yourself in the slow burn lane to lunacy.
Now, be a writer. Make a note or two about the impact this obstacle is having on your well-intentioned life. Jot a thought or two on possible solutions. Sure, writing out curse words in large capital letters is also acceptable…
Life is never perfect, but writers are quite fortunate. Every experience, including detours around obstacles, is the stuff of stories. And, really - that’s the heart of the writer’s life, is it not?
Enjoy the journey.
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Tim Anderson specializes in writing health content and press releases. Check out his bio. and other samples of his work by clicking on his name above.
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August 18th, 2007 at 11:57 am
Hey, Tim,
Yeah, the wannabe writer has a MILLION excuses for NOT writing. Every little thing is a reason to stop writing - if he ever gets started writing in the first place.
I think that once you make the conscious decision and say to yourself and others, “I’m a writer,” you don’t let things stop you. You just write!
I have no doubt that I’m a writer. Yet, do I have days when the writing doesn’t flow? When it’s a major ordeal just to get a few words onto the page? Sure. But that doesn’t stop me from writing.
Thank goodness we no longer have to change typewriter ribbons, though. That was a real pain! Ink cartridges are much easier to replace.
Write like the wind!
Suzanne Lieurance
The Working Writer’s Coach
http://www.workingwriterscoach.com