“If the work comes to the artist and says, “Here I am, serve me,” then the job of the artist, great or small, is to serve. The amount of the artist’s talent is not what it is about.
“. . . When the artist is truly the servant of the work, the work is better than the artist . . . when the work takes over, then the artist is enabled to get out of the way, not to interfere. When the work takes over, then the artist listens.
“But before he can listen, paradoxically, he must work. Getting out of the way and listening is not something that comes easily, either in art or in prayer.” Madeleine L’Engle
Have you ever discovered something that you already knew to be true? Sounds like an oxymoron, I know. But think about the times that you knew something instinctively, but never gave it much thought until someone else verbalized it. That’s how I feel about the above quote from ML’E. She encapsulated the ongoing battle, over discipline, in my cranium. It is a timely reminder as I whittle through novel number two.
It often seems that inspiration comes from outside of the box (said cranium) and pokes me in the ribs. Actually I touched on this some in an earlier post, “What Defines Art as Christian?” but ML’E takes the idea a bit deeper with her above explanation of the process. Grasping that new thought (or ‘work’) and fleshing it out, seeing it to the end of its possibilities, can prove my nemesis.
When a story and its characters take over and allow me the joy of writing about them in a way that feels like I’m watching their story unfold while I take notes is a magical experience. Getting in the groove like that makes those endorphins (that I seem to lack when I exercise) get all juiced up until they spiral out of control. Maybe that’s why I’d rather write for hours than workout for 30 minutes. Hmmm.
BUT—and this is a big but (not to be confused with a ‘big butt’ that never exercises because it would rather be sitting comfortably while its owner writes)—that groove can prove elusive. What one day takes just a good cup of coffee and twenty minutes to settle into, can fail to show up after hours of plunking on keys the next day. Which makes it a little harder to show up for work the day after that . . . and before I know it I haven’t toiled over book 2 of my trilogy for, like, three weeks! (This is purely for the sake of an example . . . *cough*).
But the story is faithful to show up and tap me on the shoulder and say, “I’m still here. Don’t forget me. You’re the one that must birth me.” Even when I am not faithful and I ignore that tap, the idea is persistent. For that I’m thankful. I’m continually mulling over plot twists and characters in the back of my mind—in a way that would probably freak people out if they could read my thoughts at a given moment. You’re thinking about giant geodes and Trolls right now? For Pete’s sake, why?
Eventually, I quit ignoring the work and get back to the reality of my fantasy. And since I have at least dwelled on the story ad infinitum, I slide back into the driver’s seat and hope to find that groove again. At some ambiguous moment, I will look around to find that I’ve shifted over to the passenger’s seat, amazed to be a spectator on the journey.
The longer I go without paying my dues, the harder it is to find that sweet spot again. Lesson learned, (I like to think), and I’m back to being disciplined and writing long enough to get passed myself and let the work speak to me. It’s an awkward dance when I don’t practice the choreography like I should. You’d think I’d tire of getting my toes stepped on from lack of application.
How about you? Are you disciplined–and does this have a regular pay off for your work? Are there certain things that help you get to that place of letting go? What about when you’re naughty, (ok, maybe just busy), like I’ve been, and feel like you can write anything other than what you should be working on? How does the spontaneity of creativity fit in with good work habits?
Lovely word pictures, refreshing honesty, and provoking truths. And all timely, because I’m trying to answer those last questions for myself. 🙂 I’ve written an hour a day for a few weeks, which has given me daily additions of 200 to 800 words in my book. But that growth of word count has been the only improvement I’ve seen. The writing has been hard, and the story itself is hard to write. I want to see if a different time of day for writing will help . . .
Melissa, I have a feeling you WILL figure it out! You’re mil
es ahead of me, I think, in the schedule and discipline department. But, I shall continue to plod and fumble and pray it will settle into a rhythm that has an end result of more books. Let me know how your new plan plays out!
Sorry. I had to stop in the middle of that thought to head to church. I have found that I have good days and bad days. Days in the zone and days way out of the zone where I spend more time daydreaming or online than I do writing. But, the daily habit of writing from 5-7 has seen me through. I think it keeps me in “shape” . And yes, my fingers are the fleetest part of my body. 🙂
Girl, I can tell you are super-scheduled with your writing! Maybe you’ll rub off on me now that I’m in your writer’s group. You’re leading by example, which is so encouraging. I can look at a kindred spirit and know it can be done! One of my biggest problems is shutting it off when I’m in ‘the zone.’ I want to write and write–to the neglect of everything. Yeah, I struggle with balance. The Lord is working on this and I know I can do it through His grace. Looking forward to tomorrow!
I’m humbled. I’ve learned and been so encouraged by you! I’m so glad you’re part of our group!!!
Several years ago my husband asked me to kinda put my money where my mouth was. He said if I was to claim to be a writer, than I needed to prove it by writing. I have a strong streak for timing things, so I started writing every day at the same time. But, I had a rule. Anytime before 600am was not a good time. My stories changed that. WHen they started tapping me on the shoulder, nudging me in the ribs, and forcing me to drive like a bat out of …. well. I started getting up at 5am. Discipline helps so much!
Friend, I experience this same struggle! I’ve read multiple writers who are quoted as saying that a writer should write every day, even if they don’t work on their current major project. The reason? Simply to keep up the discipline and structure of pounding on the keys every single day. Do I do this? No. But I hope to establish a regular writing routine over the summer!
Yes, Ashley, that is THE writing mantra! I know it. And when I heed it my writing is much better. Lately I’ve been pulled in so many directions with starting up a website and a blog and a fan page…it’s been pretty disjointed (huge learning curve with how technology works, ugh!). Going to keep struggling to get on top of the creativity monster and pin it down 🙂
Yes, we will conquer the monster! For me, the rub lies in the fact that I enjoy writing and photography equally (but in different ways and for different reasons, if that makes sense). Both arts are really about perspective, which I love. Both take a lot of time, which is hard for me now that I’m back to work! So I find that, instead of making a decision about which activity to indulge, I simply avoid them both. This is not the right answer! 🙂
I have begun a small blogging plan that will (I hope) help me get back into the groove so that, when summer arrives, I’ll be ready to jump back into fantasy land. 🙂
Totally get where you’re coming from. Yay summer break!
I am on a constant quest for discipline. I do well for a few days only to be derailed by something out of my control, which then becomes an excuse for not being disciplined.
I hear ya, sis. Doesn’t take much…