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Harsh writing advice:
Sometimes fussing over what pen/ink/font you use, how you format for drafting, or how you organize your outlines/notes is really helpful, and reduces little frictions that sap your productivity. There's no reason not to make writing more comfortable.
Sometimes fussing over what pen/ink/font you use, how you format for drafting, or how you organize your outlines/notes is really helpful, and reduces little frictions that sap your productivity. There's no reason not to make writing more comfortable.
For a while there it was fashionable (probably still is, but I stopped listening) to rag on people for setting up their writing environment as poseur procrastinators who weren't "really" writing, like you only count as a Serious Artist if you suffer discomfort and annoyance.
The more I've learned about how to manage my ADHD, the more I see how that narrative is a form of gatekeeping. But even if you're neurotypical, with a life perfectly arranged for writing--it's actually okay to make your work more comfortable? Art does not require suffering.
It certainly does not require "suffering" over silly bullshit like annoying noises, an uncomfortable chair, or organizational schemes that are driving you bonkers.
An audience member at a reading: "Author, your work really speaks to people who are in low moments. What inspires your keen insight into pain and suffering?"
The author: "well I work next to a construction site but noise cancelling headphones are for poseurs so I--"
The author: "well I work next to a construction site but noise cancelling headphones are for poseurs so I--"
Discipline is important, but in trying to extol its virtues, we bias way too far in the direction of telling people that just willpowering your way through is some kind of proof that you're "serious."
But seriousness is a vanity metric. Writers don't get paid for being serious.
But seriousness is a vanity metric. Writers don't get paid for being serious.
I'm not even being facetious. Hang around writing forums long enough and you are bound to find a long rant from someone declaring that Publishing Is Rigged because they have nothing but rejections to show for Following All The Rules while dirty rule-breakers get book deals.
And the rules they're fixated on run all over the map: they write every day. They have perfect spelling and grammar. They read the right books and attend the right workshops.
But at the end of the day, we are judged on what we produce. So do whatever will make you productive.
But at the end of the day, we are judged on what we produce. So do whatever will make you productive.
(sidenote that of course we are also judged on our gender, race, nationality, and a host of other factors, so I'm certainly not suggesting that publishing is objectively fair. Just that there's no bonus for having a certain writing process. Do whatever gets your work done).
