As promised yesterday, here is another perspective on writing. Which approach do you feel works better? And why? Please share your comments.
Writing doesn’t require large does of inspiration. Writers who wait for inspiration to hit, particularly writers with other full-time commitments–a job, a family, a needy feline companion named Ponce de Leon–will likely find themselves waiting forever. They’ll find themselves sitting in coffee shops, pens poised in air, ordering another drink, looking around, talking to the locals (who saw the notebook and pen, and thus believe some writing was surely done that day), picking some lint off that argyle sweater, and then packing up to go home…
Frankly, I’m tired of writers talking only about inspiration. I’m sick of books that help you find the creative inner you, the idea that will spark that spark and finally compel you to write your novel. Novel writing isn’t always about finding the right ideas. It’s about finding the time and the energy. I’m a pragmatist when it comes to writing, so if you’re looking for some of that touchy-feely New Agey writer speak, you won’t find it in these pages. Instead you’ll find a practical approach, one that requires you to stop talking and start writing…
Yes, inspiration might contain the spark and life of your idea, but habit gets the writing done. Inspiration resides in your heart; habit resides in your fingers. Inspiration propels; habit completes. Art equals habit plus inspiration. It’s a simple equation.
–Sarah Domet, 90 Days to Your Novel: A Day-by-Day Plan for Outlining & Writing Your Book