04 May

Fear of Writing, Fear of Loss...

 

Humans gauge the attractiveness of an activity by what they'll gain from it, immediately or long term. Those who seek immediate gratification reject the long term option, not because they can't see the end goal, but because they have decided they cannot endure the interim losses required to achieve that end goal.
 
And long term artistic endeavors have a basket-full of interim losses:
Loss of Free Time - FOMO — Fear Of Missing Out — to do more instantly enjoyable activities.
Loss of Brain Energy - needed to focus to write well.
Loss of Control - you are given no certainty that your crafted sentences are the right sentences.
Loss of Contentment - if you end up struggling/having frustration with a problematic sentence or plot hole or character motivation.
Loss of Material Rewards - you are given no certainty they will ever exist.

Writers need to be patient people, and many new writers haven't adjusted their expectations to long term gratification, accepting there will be many immediate losses along the way.
 
In any worthwhile activity, this short term loss vs long term win reality exists, and each of us has to decide what we're mentally prepared to give. This is why I loathe new writers who say they write because it's "fun." Already, they are ignoring or repressing this reality. I'm not trying to be a Debby Downer here. By actually mentally preparing yourself for these losses, to reach the ultimate goal, you'll be in a better frame of mind to endure those inevitable bad days of writing where you feel you'll never write yourself out of the book issues that rear their ugly heads.
 
Being realistic.
Being patient.
Being a long term visionary when everyone else around you can't see what you see.
It takes fortitude to master a craft. 
"Fun" and excitement about this "shiny new idea" won't get you very far.
 
HOMEWORK: make a list of Immediate Losses and Long Term Gains in finishing your book. 
 
Come face-to-face with your ultimate fear of loss, and once you do, you'll be far better prepared to march on to typing, "The End." 
 
Like in life, there's fun and there's work. 
 
Fun is cotton candy.
Work is steak.
In your goals, which one do you think will better sustain you?

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