What does writing mean to you? What do you feel like when you are writing?<\/p>\n
Most hobby writers or writing enthusiasts happily write what they want. They write for pleasure when they have the opportunity or when they feel inspired. Writing is a relaxing process for them. They do it to de-stress\u2014as a form of meditation. Some use writing as therapy\u2014to work through an emotional glitch, perhaps. I remember those carefree writing days. <\/p>\n
I carried a pen and pad with me everywhere and pulled them out at the slightest inspiration. I remember writing about the sad life of a majestic elk in Yellowstone Park after watching a family taunt it. I once pulled out my pen to capture my thoughts when I saw a silver jet cut through the blue Nevada sky one summer day. And I have fond memories of the hours I spent creating personalized poems for greeting cards to give family members on special occasions. But things have changed. <\/p>\n
Maybe you can relate. Once you become a working writer\u2014you write for publication\u2014everything changes. Writing is no longer relaxing; it is even sometimes stressful because you\u2019re usually attempting to write to someone else\u2019s specifications. There are deadlines to contend with. There\u2019s pressure to come up with the right story, article or slant for the right editor at the right time. And you live with the constant fear of rejection.<\/p>\n
You no longer write for yourself. You don\u2019t write from the heart. Now, your head is involved. You must try to follow guidelines and please others. There are editors criticizing your work, asking for rewrites and putting you on strict deadlines. You get to write a lot! Writing has become your life. But where has the joy gone?<\/p>\n
Is this pretty much your story? Or are you still dreaming of becoming a freelance writer or published author? Do you still experience the joy in writing?<\/p>\n
I read this morning about a young man who has a passion for math. That\u2019s a hard one for me to wrap my brain around. How can anyone be touched by numbers? But I guess, as members of the human race, we can become excited, enthusiastic or passionate about anything\u2014bugs, the stars, cars, building, soccer\u2026 even math. And I have to admit that I am still passionate about writing and words and the way words fit together (or not) and how you can manipulate them to communicate a point or a thought.<\/p>\n
Even though I write as a profession, I am still in love with the process. I can look back on thirty-seven years of writing for publication and recall so many joyful moments. It is a lifetime of writing that I would not change one iota. <\/p>\n
I still have an occasional burst of joy while I\u2019m writing. Does this ever happen to you? I\u2019ll be writing away, when all of a sudden, I feel such a strong and delightful sense of overwhelming glee. The words are flowing as if through<\/em> (not from) me and I am so enjoying the process that I feel giddy. I catch myself smiling. I want to share this moment with someone, but I don\u2019t want it to end. No one would understand, anyway\u2014except maybe you.<\/p>\n People (even writers) are often shocked when I tell them that I post to this blog daily. They ask, \u201cHow do you come up with something to write about?\u201d And I tell them that I have this condition\u2014many writers do. It\u2019s a sort of obsession. The truth is, I can\u2019t not write. How about you?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" What does writing mean to you? What do you feel like when you are writing? Most hobby writers or writing enthusiasts happily write what they want. They write for pleasure when they have the opportunity or when they feel inspired. Writing is a relaxing process for them. They do it to de-stress\u2014as a form of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[4],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t