Stephen King Taught Me (Part 2)

So, Tuesday's Headline lied a little. That wasn't lesson one. This post was lesson one. I just didn't want to mix this lesson with the lengthy introduction I felt obliged to add.

So what is this lesson?


"You must not come lightly to the blank page." (On Writing, P80)

That is the single line that stood out the most in the whole book.

I don't know about you, but when I get a new idea, I get excited. Really excited. Buzzing. I can't wait to start writing. And when I write, it rushes through me like the best thrill you can think of.

But then, as insidious as venom, my one big enemy sets in. Addiction. I get addicted to my writing. That's not a bad thing. It's good to be passionate about what we write.

But when you're addicted, there are two problems:

1) I start feeling like I have to write. No longer am I feeling that drive of passion.
2) And because of that, I no longer feel the rush.

I take writing for granted. It becomes something that I do out of routine.

In short, I come to my writing lightly. Very lightly.

No wonder the spark fades out on me every now and then.

And whenever that happens, I stop writing. Go cold turkey on the addiction (usually with the accompanying bad mood).

Once I go back to it, I fall in love with writing again. I feel that all rush.  And...

I go through the cycle again.

Fact is, I don't really feel like it's the most productive method for me to finish works in progress. So I decided that from tomorrow, I'm going to try something new. I'm going to start reminding myself why I write. I don't want to write out of habit.

I want to write because it's one of my greatest passions.

Do you approach your writing lightly on occasion? If not, how do you get yourself in the right feeling?