Lines to Love: When Writers Hate Writing

Anyone who’s ever procrastinated on something they know they need to get done can relate to today’s post. Particularly if you’re someone procrastinating regarding something you love.

While today I’m highlighting writers who, at times, hate actually writing, the feelings they impart in these lines are universal. So whether you’re a writer, like me, or a creative or an executive or (the list will go on and on) take a gander over these lines and be encouraged that even the most successful people in their profession can hit brick walls and come up empty and frustrated.

You would expect the author of Catch -22, a veritable classic and often required reading in school, to have his craft down to a science, right? Well, it would appear that Joseph Heller, while a brilliant writer, struggled when he sat down to write:

Writing encompasses much more than books. In the case of Jacob Krueger, award winning screenwriter, writing is a horse of a different color. However, given his preeminence in his field, I find his words oddly encouraging.

Ernest Hemingway is one of the greats. I’m pretty sure that every writer looks up to him on some level, whether to admire his athleticism in writing or his crafting of plot. Perhaps that’s why I appreciate this line so much. I know I’ve been here. Those days where your fingers just fly across the keyboard and you surpass your word count is fantastic. It’s the days that you can barely write a paragraph that try your soul. It’s nice to know that one of the best can totally relate.

Poetry is hard. There’s no way to slice it. Poetry requires an understanding of economy of words which convey an abundance of meaning. So, when former Poet Laureate Robert Hass says writing is hell and not writing is hell, I believe him.

Mr. Hass’ words put me in remembrance of something that Dorothy Parker said. Her words echo his, or is it the other way around since she spoke her’s first?

Steven Pressfield has written a great many books and even screenplays. I am a fan of his historical fiction, as it’s the genre I tend to gravitate to you. (If you haven’t checked out his Gates of Fire, it’s a really good read.) I appreciate this line of his because it really puts the onus on the importance of consistency. Writing, once you’ve started, comes more easily. It’s that pesky procrastinating and dreading prior to sitting down to write that can really trip us up.

Jeff Shinabarger is a social entrepreneur as well as the author of several books that he wrote to offer practical wisdom and guidance in the building of communities. So, when he says the below line, he’s talking about much more than just writing. In fact, I’d venture to say that he’s not talking about writing at all. Rather, he’s speaking plainly about life.

And there you have it, dear readers. Starting can be frightening. Remaining consistent can really take it out of you. But, if you remain consistent in the face of obstacles, you will succeed, and your success will be all the more satisfying.

What is it that you’ve been putting off? Is it something that really grabs your heart? Something you know in your cells you have a special gift or voice for? Can I encourage you to just jump in and start?