What causes a writer to write? is it the need to create? Maybe it’s the need to put something out there that has been bottled up for too long and needs to breathe and gain a life of its own. Perhaps a writer writes because they have a talent for the craft and just wants to make a living.
The motivations for a person to write are only as limited as the number of writers who steadfastly practice what they love. Most of us work this wonderful calling on a daily or near daily basis.
I’ve written here on several occasions here about the importance of writing every day. It is necessary to become proficient at the craft and it is certainly important if you are in the process of writing a novel because you need the continuity and flow to have cohesion and consistency. Sometimes it is difficult to put the words to paper and we can feel as if sitting in front of the monitor is akin to stepping into the ring with our nemesis. If you are going to be successful as a writer you must move past that.
I have also written here about the importance of attitude in becoming a successful writer. It is now time to meld these two concepts of attitude and writing every day. You can choose to curse the darkness each time it’s time to write or you can choose to light a candle and move forward in your writing journey.
One of the best pieces of motivational writing advice I ever received was to “write like you are dying“. This means that each time you sit down to move your success story forward you have to assume a certain mind-set. And here is the key: When you are at the keyboard, write as if you only have a month to live. Thirty days and you are done. Think about this. What would you say? Can you imagine that your writing will be filled with soul, passion and conviction? Of course it would. So I say to you, “Is there any better writing then the writing that comes from the heart and is filled with passion?” I don’t believe there is.
This does not just apply to that great novel you are writing. It should apply to anything that you are going to put out for people to read. Anything worth doing is worth doing well, and having this kind of passion will set you apart from the crowd and it will get you noticed.
I know this is more difficult for some types of writing. Trust me, you’re going to have to dig deep to become impassioned about the 10 SEO articles on prime rate mortgages in Zimbabwe. How serious are you about your writing? Do you have what it takes to dig that deep? I think that you do. In fact, I know you do. It’s a matter of putting your mind in a place that makes it easier to see things from a little different perspective.
Do me a favor, will you? Just try it. Even once. Let me know; did it make a difference for you?
What a great idea! They say we should live each day like it’s our last, why not write that way?
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Hi Todd.
Those were my thoughts, too!
Thanks for stopping by!
Cheers
George
I was thinking as I was reading this that I once wrote like I was dying, writing part of our will. How’s that? What a great example of passionate writing. I can really see how great the paper would be!
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As always, thanks Dee.
I think it really works! Kinda loling a bit about writing the will – I don’t know, just something ironic about it
George
I’m going to try writing like I have a month to live. I must admit that I find it a little difficult thing to do because most of what I write is about my business. I love the business and feel that it has great value for many people who a looking for a new or second stream of income. But writing about it is sometimes difficult. This will be an interesting exercise
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Hi Susan,
I appreciate you coming by and giving it a try. Be sure and let me know how it goes!
George
It’s the “digging deep” stuff that sometimes scares people, isn’t it? There’s a lot of good stuff inside if we take the time explore it. Ann Lamot has some funny stuff about when to listen and when to shut off the critic, another useful idea when writing like dying. Some WILL hate what you write. So there. Fear over. : – ) Great encouragement. Glad to find your blog!
@Mjudd,
I think that sometimes it’s really true that anything worthwhile is not easy. Hehe. Great advice about fear. I’m going to remember that, and hey, I’m glad you found me as well!
Cheers!
George
Nice advice. If everyone ‘wrote like they were dying’ we’d have a whole lot less junk out here on the web, instead of uninspired lack-luster posts that are just about everywhere…
Hmmm. Maybe I should reevaluate some of my own work. lol.
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Hello Shirley,
I’m glad you stopped by and commented. I agree with you that there is a lot of yukky content out there. Sometimes it seems like folks just word vomit whatever comes out of their heads!
Hehe. This is me heading backwards to look at some of MINE!
George
I have brain vomits all the time
I’m going to try to settle for writing like the power is about to be turned off.
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KW,
Very cool. Baby steps, baby steps…
George
This is a refreshing look at the way that we approach our art. I guess what it says to me is that we should always look at the reason why we’re writing what we are. If there’s no purpose to it (i.e. in fulfilling a need, or improving the lives of others), then why are we doing it?
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How to:
Thanks for coming by and leaving a comment. I think that you are right in identifying the underlying theme here.
Cheers
George
This reminds me of Asimov’s quote that is along the lines of “if the doctor told me I had six days to live, I’d type faster.”
If I only had 6 (or 30) days to live, I probably wouldn’t be writing articles on SEO or anything that was purely to make money. I find it difficult to balance the artistic creating-something-truly-meaningful side of writing with the I-have-chosen-this-as-my-means-to-make-a-living-and-therefore-must-write-what’s-profitable side.
I tend to put more a lot more effort into the former than the latter, in all honestly. If I can figure out a way to make money from the “meaningful” stuff (or get to a point where money isn’t an issue), then maybe I’ll have a little more balance in life and find it easier to “write like I’m dying” all the time.
Lidsay,
Great comment. I think that finding that balance is really one of the most difficult challenges folks who write for a living face every day. If ya figure out the whole meaning = $ thing then let me know, ‘k?
Cheers!
George
Grat idea. I”ve wirtten and published a book on Law (Sus Derechos Legales” – Your Legal Rights, which was published for the spanish speaking population in LA, mostly illegal, advising them of their legal rights. Some of them were being treated like animals until this book was published. But most important of all, THANK YOU for these words: “wirte as if you were dying” It gave me new outlook on how to finish my third book. I will wirte, not when the “muse” visits me, but as if this was my last, and I only have a month to live.
Thanks.
Hi Phelippe,
Thanks for coming by. I’m glad the post inspired you.
George