If It's Not Fun, Don't Write it

Contagious Joy Spring Writing Series, Part 2

I believe that there is a plan and a purpose for each person's life and that there are forces working in the universe to bring about good and to create a community of love and brotherhood...those who can attune themselves to these forces--to God's purpose--can become special instruments of His will.

- Coretta Scott King

It’s 1:30ish and I’m still up editing my novel. My manuscript has to be turned into my editor by the 15th and it still needs a good working. Surprisingly I thought I would be sick of this story by now, but the more I rewrite, the more joy I feel. Why?

Because the story is cracking me up. It’s fun. It’s like watching my favorite episode of Glee for the sixth time(which I’m also doing now by the way.)

When I talk of having contagious joy in our writing I mean simply that. God created us to be his artists. The Master’s Artists. Therefore we were created to enjoy the art of craftmanship and beauty. Yet the pressures of meeting our deadlines, getting a contract, saving our contract, marketing our story, thinking up a story, or just sitting down to write give us grief. Not joy. Then writing becomes more of a chore than fun and fulfilling and the way we artists worship. Therefore we put it off and don’t write at all. We’ve thought the fun right out of it.

Point 2: Stop beating yourself up for being you and enjoy yourself, because if you’re not having fun writing it, we won’t have fun reading it.

So how do we bring the fun back to our writing?

• Believe that we were called to do this
• Write the story we wish we could find on the store shelves, but isn’t there
• Take a snapshot of your life and find a fun truth that could resonate with your main character’s motivation
• Smile when you write. lol
• Give yourself permission to be ten-years-old again, when the world was full of possibility and wonder and dreams that could be reached.
• Give yourself permission to be seventeen again, when the world was romantic and you felt the edge of adulthood breathing down your neck. Remember how exciting it was? How ready you were to pounce into the brave new world?
• Treat your writing like you treat your favorite television series. Put it on your calendar. Tell everyone. Get excited. Get your popcorn. Tell folks to not call you, because your show is about to start. But instead of turning on the tv, turn on your story.
• Most importantly, stop living through the lives of others. When Mary found Jesus in Temple his statement to her wasn’t of defiance, but a declaration. He was done with learning about Judaism and listening to folks who for whatever reason told the story wrong. He was ready to show the world how were supposed to live, love each other and love God.

Now it’s our time. Doesn’t that ignite a flame inside you, make you smile and inspire you to want to do something great with your life that makes you happy?

Recap:

• Point #1: Contagious Joy doesn’t just happen. You have to spoon that sucker down or have it sprinkled on.
• Point 2: Stop beating yourself up for being you and enjoy yourself, because if you’re not having fun writing your story, we won’t have fun reading it.
• Point 3: Come back in two weeks and I'll tell you. :)

Dee Stewart is a mom, blogger, write-or-die-chick, editor, literary publicist, journalist, book reviewer and published author. Her short story, "Short Ride to Sanctuary" is featured in Sistahfaith(Simon & Schuster, Feb 2010.) She also writes for Kensington Publishers under the pseudonym Miranda Parker. The first installment of her Evangeline Crawford Bounty Hunter novel,  A Good Excuse to Be Bad releases spring 2011. Connect with me on Facebook Here.

Comments

[Nicole]

You're just plain fun, Dee. Spread the joy, Girl.

[twitter.com/deegospel]

Thanks, Nicole. :)

[Billy Coffey]

Lately I've needed this reminder. You're right, the sheer amount of work needed to just keep things on an even keel can sometimes be overwhelming. I need to start smiling when I write again...

Great post, Dee!

[twitter.com/deegospel]

I hope you're smiing today, Billy! :)

[Rhonda]

I love this post. It came just in time for me. I was actually working on my novel last night and in the middle, realized that I was getting way too caught up in what I think people want me to write, instead of what I wanted to put on paper. Its good to check yourself sometimes. Thanks for the reminder!

[Madison Richards]

Wow. All of you are so right on target. Dee - I think I needed this post more than anything I've read recently. Somewhere along the way I:

1) Lost my joy in writing.
2) Lost my ability to be ME in my writing.
3) Started writing more of what others told me I should write instead of what was in my own heart to write.
4) Started beating myself up for being me. Convincing myself that no one would want to read what I write anyway...

Geez... I've got some work to do - Inside work. Thanks for reminding me that sometimes we have to peel off all the extra layers other peoples' expectations put on us and just write...

Wish me luck!

[Matches Malone]

Good stuff. I always believe that great art is only abandoned, never finished.... Your points goto that :)

[Lynn Mosher]

Dee, What a great post...and timely for me as well. I'm with Billy. In the midst of editing my first book, I have been thinking it was a chore to be endured. Thanks so much for writing this and so glad I got to read it!

[Sandra King]

Something I learned from beauty pageant days--Vaseline. Keep a jar on your desk to smear on lips and teeth for a long day of writing and smiling. Great post!

[Dee Stewart]

thanks, all. i had to reread my own post this week. not because i wasn't having fun, but i was not finished with my rewrite. i'll share the lesson i learned in that week after next. you'll laugh.