Joy might seem like a strange tip. But it’s the reason most of us began writing.
The danger lies in losing that joy. Many things can suck the fun out of writing - a story we’re not enjoying, too many pressures (either from promoting, deadlines, or expectations), negative response, or just plain burnout.
If you find your joy waning, it’s time to pull back and reassess. Why are you doing this? Is it too much? Are you still pursuing your goals?
You won’t make a lot of money doing this, so if you’re not writing for the joy of it, you are in for a miserable journey.
Do you still possess that joy?
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29 comments:
Yes I still get joy in writing,
A good J word and post.
Yvonne.
Hi Diane .. creating new ideas and looking at things from another perspective .. gives me joy, as well as learning.
Jelly fish are amazing aren't they .. I love that photo ..
Cheers and to the joy of the A-Z .. Hilary
So true...you can't carry on working on something you simply don't enjoy.
Losing the charm...the joy...is surely the biggest danger!!
Kriti
Actually I just went through this- I found that I wasn't as into my novel as I used to be- I took a ten day break and when I came back the joy was back, too.
Nice to be able to enjoy anything you do for a living.
Lovely picture as usual.
JO ON FOOD, MY TRAVELS AND A SCENT OF CHOCOLATE
I love what I do. Writing is a dream come true. I love that picture. It is inspiring.
An excellent word. We must try to remember that joy should come from the small things. A beautiful sentence, a well crafted paragraph. If that's all we get down in one day, let us enjoy the accomplishment.
When I feel like losing that joy to write, I start reading. Then it's back there.
Jelly fishes? Those things sting like hell.
I find joy in many things. It balances life. There's a knack to finding joy in little things too.
I still enjoy writing although life of late has had it's fingers in most of my creative time--when I'm not writing I express creativity it in other ways.
Love the picture!
I made this same statement in a comment on another blog today. I don't treat writing as a job--something I have to do. I treat as a pleasure--something I want to do.
Loved the jellies.
Fortunately, I still find a great deal of joy in both my writing and in my other career, counseling!
It's the only way to work, in my opinion.
Lyre at Lyre's Musings
I still get a ton of joy out of writing and sharing my worlds with others! I hope they are getting as much.
Keep up the great work!
--
Tim Brannan
The Other Side and The Witch
Red Sonja: She-Devil with a Sword
The Freedom of Nonbelief
It can be easy to lose the joy when you're trying to revise a manuscript! Thanks for the reminder.
Totally agree...if you lose the joy of writing...why do it? It's an otherwise long and tedious process, for the most part.
That's why I've pulled back to reassess.
Very cool photo!
I have joy! In fact, that was my word too:)))
www.gracegritsgarden.com
I take "writing for joy" to a whole new level! I barely attempted to query my first novel, just immediately jumped on the second! This may not be the best method of exposure, however....
I have to admit the joy has come and gone for me. I've decided that finding joy in what I'm doing means I am producing my very best since it comes across in my language.
Money has been the furthest thing from my mind...
Writer In Transit
I still find great joy in writing. I can't ever imagine not writing.
UGH!! I've had some bad experiences with Jelly Fish!
I still have joy but sometimes I lack motivation.
Cool pic.
Heather
Great picture. Once in a while I lose the joy but I always find it again.
Awesome photo of jellies! ^_^
Such beautiful creatures.
That we continue to find joy is not just in writing but with all of our endeavors, especially those we choose to do in our spare time. I absolutely agree, when the joy wanes, reassess!
Kathy at Oak Lawn Images
Those Jellies gave me joy! :)
#atozchallenge, Kristen's blog: kristenhead.blogspot.com
Good point! Coffee helps put the J in joy at times:)
Cheers!
Sam
http://writerlysam.wordpress.com
oh, so timely for me and so true. I've been suffering burnout but also a bunch of other things. But the joy is still there, deep down. And the peace I get from writing is like nothing else.
I have joyous writing days and frustrating, hair-pulling, why did I ever think I could write days. On balance, though, it brings me joy in the sense of deep satisfaction like nothing else.
Jellies are cool, aren't they?
Jagoda at http://www.conflicttango.com
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