Mom and I, we read like, a ton. (In between peanut butter snacks, natch.) But we’re doing somethin’ a little different today. Today we’re musing about writing. Maybe cuz we’ve heard from some authors recently who are frustrated. Discouraged. Thinking of throwing in the writing towel. If that’s you – or you know someone who fills that bill – then this post’s for you. You might also want to buckle up. Just sayin’. Take it away, Mom!

Writing is hard work, not magic. It begins with deciding why you are writing and whom you are writing for. What is your intent? What do you want the reader to get out of it? What do you want to get out of it. It’s also about making a serious time commitment and getting the project done.”

– Suze Orman, finance editor and author.

Serious time commitment.  Getting the project done.  Talk about a couple of freckle-rattlin’ phrases!

Are you a writer? Are there times when those words taste like vinegar to you too? But they’re true, huh?  Think of f it this way: A writer’s best friend isn’t the Internet.  It’s not a short-cut, a quick fix or even a thesaurus.  (This following gem of galactic insight will work a lot better if you can scare up a drum roll in your head.  Ready?  Okay.)  A writer’s best friend is – drum roll, please:

Restlessness.

Huh? 

That’s right.  Restlessness.  Lemme explain.

What Do I Mean?

By ‘restless’ I don’t mean agitated and uptight or nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs.  I mean unstill.  Squirmy.  Twitchy.  Working.  Thinking.  Creating.  Being engaged.  Moving forward.  Making progress.  Being in motion – as opposed to stock-still lethargy or dull-as-a-blunt-spoon humdrum.  Not being willing to let your writing rest until it’s… just right.

‘Okay, buster’

Put another way: a healthy dose of writing restlessness is the opposite of sitting on your laurels. It’s that little tug that says, “Okay, buster.  Not quite there, give it another try.”  It’s the whisper inside your head urging you to push harder, reach higher, dig deeper.  It’s what makes writers grow and develop. (Well, that and a sweet furry face we all know and love.)

A Good Thing

Because when it comes to writing, being ‘creatively restless’ is a good thing.  It’s what drives, pokes, prods, nudges, hounds, cajoles, and yep, freckle-rattles us to the next level.  Writing restlessness is the opposite of indifference.  It’s what keeps you up at night wondering, “Maybe I should have used quick instead of fast?  Would dawdled have been better than meandered?  Maybe I should swap out chapter ten for chapter nine, and eliminate the wicked stepmother’s second cousin altogether?”

‘Creative restlessness’ is seeking out that elusive phrasing, rhythm, satisfying ending or unique plot twist like a desert oasis in the Sahara.  Working toward that aha! moment when we connect with our readers.

What Pushes You

Restlessness can be what pushes you and me along in the endless process of polish, practice, patience.  A hefty dose of persistence isn’t a bad idea, either.

Truth?  You know what most best sellers are doing after they attain ‘book selling super-stardom’?  Their next book.

And you should be, too.

Bottom Line:

So heed that inner nudge.  Listen to that pesky voice inside your head.  NOT the one that’s yammering at you to give up and throw in the towel, nattering on about how you’ll never ‘make it’ as a serious writer (whatever than means).  Give that dude that heave-ho.  I’m talking about your new best friend: the inner restlessness that’s urging you upward, onward and forward.  The restlessness that helps you grow as a writer.  Because writing is about making a serious commitment and getting the job done.

C’mon.  You can do it! The Kimster and I are rooting for ya! Besides. We’re always on the lookout for our next great read. Just as soon as one of us polishes off the peanut butter.

What writing project are you working on this week that has you feeling restless?  How is it helping you grow and develop as a writer?