by Michael Cristiano
Not being able to write is a sad fact of life for a writer. There’s laundry to do, there’s food to cook, there’s sleep to be had. Worse, I have this pesky illness that eats up a lot of my time. I toil day in and day out to keep it at bay and under control. Sometimes, it creeps into my evenings, just when I think I’ve escaped. Worse, the horror of it all often keeps me awake at night and the dread fills my dreams with terror and sadness.
Oh, I’m not sick… I have a 9-to-5 job.
In any case, the truth is that my job isn’t that bad. I love the people I work with and to be honest, the job in and of itself is mostly an enjoyable and painless experience. But what I’m getting at is that I often feel like I don’t have a lot of time or energy at the end of the day to do what I really love: writing! Instead, I’m left repeating the same thoughts over and over again in my head as I toil through things that I would rather not do if it meant I had more time to write.
Here are a few of those thoughts:
1. “Today is the day. I’m in the mood to write, I’m excited for where story is taking me. I just have something to do first. But if I get through it quickly, maybe I can squeeze in a half-hour of writing.”
2. “And I’ll have to remember to work in this new development I’ve just thought up. It’ll completely change everything and set the story on the right track!”
3. “Ahhh! This task is going to take longer than I thought it would. Guess I should write this idea down before I forget it.”
4. “Okay, I have no pen. I guess I’ll just have to remember. Repeat something three times and it becomes a long-term memory, right?”
5. “And I’ve forgotten this life-changing development…”
6. “Task done. Time to sit down and write. Oh, wait, I should probably do this other time-consuming task while I have a little free time.”
7. “It’s okay. No need to get stressed out. Just relax. You can finish this quickly and then get to writing.”
8. “I think I just did this task wrong. Ughh.”
9. “Okay, seriously. Just relax. On-the-ball Olivia said it wouldn’t take long. Just focus and get it done and then all the leisure time shall be MINE!”
10. “Wait. I think I’ll watch some Netflix first. There’s that new movie I’ve been so excited to see. It’ll get me back in the creative mood.”
11. “Time to download some new music. I can’t write without some fresh inspiration to get the juices flowing.”
12. “And I’ve just received the email I’ve been dreading. Writing. Delayed. AGAIN.”
13. “Done. Now I’ll creep a little Facebook to calm me down. That email got me a little worked up.”
14.“Such a cute kitty. Whose little cute kitty are you?”
15. “Okay, plug in the USB, open the manuscript I’m working on,” and…
“I don’t even feel like writing any more.”
Guest post contributed by Michael Cristiano. He works in editing and acquisitions for Curiosity Quills Press, and his freelance work has appeared on websites such as Nexopia, FluentU, and BlushPost. Check out his blog for more of his work.
I seem to have the exact same illness 😉
LikeLiked by 2 people
I used to have this illness. But then I got 9to5Begone! It helped me become a freelance writer :).
LikeLiked by 1 person
😉
LikeLike
I need to try that too 😉
LikeLike
I’m glad it’s not just me!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Without cute kitties, the world would not be worth writing about.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I totally agree!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on When Angels Fly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. Procrastination at it’s best…. Cute kitties 💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can relate to this! I work a 9 – 5, study uni part time and have 2 chronic illnesses. Whenever I’m not writing I’m thinking these things. But it is my true happiness, so I manage to scrawl a little each day 🙂 great post
LikeLiked by 1 person
Step 16: Stare at blank document for 45 minutes.
Step 17: “There’s always tomorrow.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on DSM Publications and commented:
Check out this post from The Writer’s Path blog on the 15 thoughts every writer has when they aren’t writing.
LikeLike
Hahaha! So true. I have taken to writing an email to myself during the day at work of the thoughts I’m having. I know I will not remember anything later when I am able to sit down and write.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Enjoyable read, my friend! Though, we must push through 😂 that 9-5 monster won’t win us yet!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Incredibly relatable! 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
#10 is my favorite. I’m retired and I still have to fight this sort of procrastination. I absolutely “believe” that _____ will “get me back in the creative mood.” Of course it never does. Good post and very honest! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Kim's Author Support Blog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good one. Sometimes I wish I could quit my job and write more. I do what I can. I carry my notebook at work and use the moments I have to write ideas.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Last week I was on vacation and had the time to write more posts. Now I return to everyday life.
I sent this to my sister who also writes.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Cynthia Hilston – Author & Blogger and commented:
#writinghumor #blogging #writing #amwriting #writingtips
Anyone else relate? There are always a hundred things calling my attention on any given day that can distract me from writing. The simple truth is that I must stop what I’m doing, even if it’s cleaning, and write.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think we have all had the same thoughts!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Writer's Treasure Chest and commented:
On DSM Publishing I found a link to this blog post, written by Michael Cristiano on ‘A Writer’s Path’. Thanks Michael. I’m convinced many of us have exactly the same thoughts. (or at least most of the ones on your list.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on luna's on line and commented:
I think we can all relate to at least some of this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ya, I’m right there with ya on all those thoughts. Only difference is I work the graveyard shift and sleep when I can/write when I can. Thanks for letting me know I’m not alone in my thinking!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is me trying to write Blackbirds. I don’t have a beginning. I have an ending. I’ve spent so much time on the events before the canon, I need to write a separate story. Now… I DON’T HAVE A BEGINNING FOR THAT IDEA, EITHER!
(What makes me think people would even think about publishing my stories again?)
LikeLike