Why does Writing feels like it is too much
Hello, Neophyte, and hello, Timmy. Before we move on, I’d like to address a topic that I’ve mentioned several times, and it might discourage you from picking up the pen and embarking on this journey. Yes, writing can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Take it one step at a time.
It may sound simple, even basic, but in this era of unlimited “reach,” we’ve strayed from the human path. No individual can do everything simultaneously, despite the sensation you might get when you see everyone being labeled as “successful.” You might see a novel completed, but you don’t witness the piecemeal work that went into getting there. Every novel goes through multiple drafts, with something new added in each pass.
The first draft is the initial attempt, where very little of it will make it to the final product. The second draft is an improvement, and so on until your work takes its final form. I can hear both of you echoing what you’ve probably thought many times: “It’s too much.” To that, I say, “considering it as a whole, yes.” But remember, a brick house is built from individual bricks, and you can handle those bricks, manipulate them, and place them where you want. The craft of writing is much the same.
So, don’t despair, and don’t let anxiety take hold when you sit down to work, thinking that you’re not going “fast enough.” This is mainly because you’re the one who defines what’s fast enough, and that’s the key. It’s up to you to determine what is enough, what is sufficient in your line of work.
Perhaps that is the key, and many of us, myself included, have externalized so much that we no longer define things for ourselves. I see it often in aspiring writers who try to imitate their favorite authors or those who have found success. In doing so, they rob themselves of the opportunity to develop their own unique voices. The internet has exacerbated this issue, with countless new authors sharing the secrets of their success with the authority that achievement lends. It’s a perilous path to follow.
All of this is further compounded by the Golem, that new and formidable tool that both helps entrench established entities, mainly corporations, and discourages the fresh crop of talent. Or perhaps it’s merely aiding those who might not have achieved success otherwise. The Golem is a tool I have mixed feelings about and isn’t the focus of this article.
What I can tell you, Timmy and Neophyte, is that if you find the task of writing daunting, congratulations, you’re on the right path. Embrace it, respect it, and it will respect you in return. If you experience anxiety while working because you feel you’re not going fast enough or you’re staring at a blank page with anxiety threatening to turn into panic, congratulations, you’re human with human emotions. The key is to let those feelings be felt and then move on.
Why, you ask? Why are these seemingly terrible feelings actually positive, Timmy and Neophyte? Well, there are several reasons. First, they signify that you’re in touch with your emotions, and being able to feel is a cornerstone of effective fiction writing in particular and writing in general. However, it’s essential not to let these feelings overwhelm you. What’s the solution, you ask? In a single word: practice. I can’t delve into the details because there are others more qualified to do so, but I can offer you this from a writer’s perspective: you feel dominated by these emotions because you’re looking at the whole picture without the necessary perspective, and it stares back at you, making you blink.
The key is not to let it consume you. Easier said than done? yes, I know, but it’s the only way. Instead of focusing on a creature that doesn’t exist, shift your attention to its component parts. Concentrate on the act of crafting it one small part at a time, and it won’t feel as daunting. Otherwise, you’re concentrating on something that doesn’t yet exist in a time you haven’t reached.
Life is about taking action, and if something feels overwhelming, it’s likely because you’re focusing too much on your thoughts rather than the actual doing. That’s why I’ll never tire of saying: more doing, less thinking. Because with thinking alone, you can’t accomplish anything, and reality will never bend to accommodate your thoughts. This holds true in writing as well. You can never predict how your characters will turn out, and you can’t foresee if your writing process will align perfectly with your initial vision. Why? Because you get to know your story as you write it. Sure, you can be a hardcore outliner, but in my view, they are in the minority. Writing isn’t about creating a rigid flowchart filled with binary boxes; it’s a living process with characters that should feel alive.
So, Timmy and Neophyte, I’m called up both of you today to encourage you to take action, whatever that might be. Write a pamphlet, a single paragraph, it doesn’t matter. Just stop letting your feelings overwhelm you. I’m speaking from experience here. If writing feels like it’s too much, it’s because you’re allowing it to overwhelm you. Take a deep breath and free yourself from those chains.
