Not Writing Enough?

“If only I had more time.”

“I’ll write when the weekend comes.”

“I need to relax tonight. I’ll write tomorrow.”

“Something always comes up.”

We’ve all used these excuses, because we’re human, and it’s easier to go out, to relax, to put writing off until tomorrow, and there is always something that needs to be done first, like grocery shopping, or picking up the dry cleaning, or taking a nap… Let me tell you the truth.  Writing is work.  It’s not a luxury.  It’s not an avocation or a hobby.  It’s work.   And like work, you have to set aside a time every day, and a place every day, and just fucking write.  When the poetic line comes in the middle of the night, you have to get up, turn on the light, and write it down.  Because it will be gone tomorrow if you don’t write it down.  Writing is work.  And whatever you can do to trick yourself into writing – do it.  But set your environment.  Have a desk set up somewhere where you write. Have your computer always there.  Have the coffee nearby.  Place those 3x5 cards and a pen by the bed.  Then start tricking yourself.   Make a list of things you need to do today, but put writing first.  No matter how many times you jump ahead to doing number 2 first, keep putting writing as your first choice.   Eventually you will write first.  If you drink wine at night, don’t pour that first glass until your computer is up and running with a blank page on the screen.  If you’re a morning writer, do the same thing with your coffee.  Start associating that first cup of coffee with typing away at your computer.  If you’re stuck on a novel or an essay, write a short poem first, to awaken the muse.  Use guilt.  Guilt is a great motivator.  Tell yourself:  “Everyone’s got a great excuse for not writing – do you want to be like them?”