31 Days: “write”

Day 11 of 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes!

Today’s word is “write” – five minutes on the timer… and go!

Ah! A word with such friction. Note: I didn’t say “fiction” but friction. To write is a much harder thing than simply putting pen to paper or pencil or sharpie pen or whatever you happen to use. Me personally: I love my pink Zebra retractable pen. But then I’m off the topic a bit.

Writing is the forcing of your mind to slow and your thoughts to focus. It’s the choice to ignore other seemingly more pressing tasks and ideas. Sitting in the chair – aka Butt In Chair – and choosing to place your fingers on the keys and stare at the blank screen is not for the faint of heart.

If you stare too long, you begin to question all sorts of things about yourself:

You don’t have what it takes.

Please. Other people are way better at this than you. What are you thinking?!

You’ll never get published – no one cares about what you write.

The people who think you’re a good writer were simply being extra generous with their words that day.

Do you really think you’ve got C.S. Lewis qualities in you that you are going to try to write a children’s book?! Really?? Ha.

… among many other things. I left out the super juicy ones.

It’s the hardest most soul-filling thing I’ve ever done and it’s what makes me face the screen and do it whether I feel like it or not.