1. It's hard. 
2. But not when you are in the flow.
3. It's easier when you do it every day, or at least with some regularity.
4. If you write every day, especially first thing in the morning, you'll feel good all day. You might even feel like you're in love with the world.
5. The only thing you really need to know about writing is this: to be a writer, you must write. So do it, okay?
That's it. That's all I've got for you this Monday evening at the start of the new year. What's on your mind? Please comment.
Zan Marie
Great reminders, Charlotte!
Charlotte Dixon
Thanks, Zan Marie!
Robyn LaRue
“But not when you are in flow…” so true! I love how my WiP can draw me back to the keys over and over throughout the day, too. :)
Charlotte Dixon
Oh I love that, don't you? Sometimes I should be working on something else and I get a little idea and then off I go. Then I have to pull myself away from it!
Milli Thornton (@fearofwriting)
I adore the simplicity of this. This post joins all of your others in building a sense of how much you love writing, and being a writer. That infuses everything you do here and really comes across. I love getting that injection of love every time I come here.
I relished the way your #2 point quickly trumped #1. I’ve grown a bit jaded on seeing writers out there anguishing at length (albeit very eloquently and creatively) about how hard writing is. Yeah, it’s hard, but so is anything else worthwhile. Making an art form out of how hard it is may look cool but it doesn’t live our dreams for us.
Ha. Guess I should write a blog post about that! Sounds like a pet peeve. :~)
Don Williams
Writing is hard….. and that’s for sure! I’m convinced it aint’ for sissies or the faint of heart.
It’s also true that writing everyday makes it easier. At least I find this to be the case with me, myself and I most of the time.
The part about writing being easy when you in a ‘flow’ is also true. What’s also true is that those ‘flows’ can be hard to come by at times. If only they would come more often, but then I guess that’s exactly why we should always write more often too.
Me, I’m getting ready, next week, to send you something for you to critique. You did say the first 2,500 pages was free, right? lol
Charlotte Dixon
Yay, Don, I can't wait to read your work! Yes, send me your first 25 pages–I'm just finishing up Zan Marie's so it will be good timing. And I totally convinced that writing every day makes a hard job easier.
Charlotte Dixon
Thanks, Milli! I love that bit about how making an art form out of our suffering doesn't live our dreams for us. Brilliant!
Jessica Baverstock
Hi Milli,
I agree with you about anguished writers too! Sometimes we writers can wear the anguish like a badge of honour, almost implying that if you find writing easy you’re not doing it right. But I think the message should be, ‘If you’re finding writing hard, get yourself a coach or a good writing book and make it easier.’
So glad I’m not the only writer out there who thinks this way. ;)
Jessica
P.S. Love your blog and the 10k in a day site. So useful!
Jessica Baverstock
Point #6: When you are in the flow, you may love the world for the rest of the day, but don’t be surprised if your mind is off in the clouds.
This week I’ve been powering into my novella, but I’m also back to being my ditzy writing self. I’m leaving mail and important packages outside, or forgetting things I’m cooking etc.
I’ve also seen the weather report mention rain and then did two loads of washing. Somehow my brain just didn’t see a connection until the heavens opened and dumped on my sheets and pillow cases. Duh!
Charlotte Dixon
You're so funny, Jessica! I have to admit I've been in that state more times than I care to admit–and also that I enjoy it. I love the worlds I create and I have a hard time leaving them when its time to quit writing.