Monday, August 23, 2010

Not Now - I've Got a Headache

Let me preface this post by saying that I am the world's best excuse-maker. Seriously. I can make a valid (sounding) excuse for anything. Need that plate washed? It's more time effective to wait until I actually use a glass, too -- then I can wash them together. Dirty laundry? There's no point until that towel is at least dirty enough to throw in.

Right now I have a massive headache pounding away at my temples, and it's been in residence all day. But. I've done some writing and managed to spend three hours editing my next travel guide. Sure, I'm all for self-congratulation, but for me it's more about taking my writing seriously. Back in the day, I wouldn't have stayed home from work because of a headache (or even a stomach bug -- but there's really no need to go into gory details of nausea mixed with Tube). I got the job done.

Writing is hard work. It's not about writing when 'the Muse' hits -- if it was, it'd feel great, all the time. That's why the phrase 'writer's block' bothers me so. There are times when writing is a slog. But if you sit your butt on the chair, most times you'll write something, even if it is rubbish. Have you ever heard the phrase 'worker's block'? Have you ever considered ringing up your boss and telling them you can't work today because you're blocked?

I'm my own boss now (yay!). I have only myself to answer to. And I won't disrespect my writing or myself by taking it easy, even on those days when a million hammers are pounding on my skull. No excuses!

How do you force yourself into the chair when you don't feel like it? Or do you?

58 comments:

  1. I do, by just getting on with it. Like you, I'm my own boss and I treat my writing as work. Since I've been self-employed, I've worked harder than I ever did as an employee, yet I've been much happier. I don't think I could ever go back to a 'proper job'.

    I hope your headache goes away soon.

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  2. Thanks, Queenie! I hope so too!

    Funny, I'm like you. I work much harder but I'm SO much happier!

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  3. I hope you feel better soon. Good for you for being so determined and being able to manage your own work as well. I expect a lot of people would struggle with that. x

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  4. I do believe writer's block exists, but I also think it's self-indulgent to give in to it. I get 'blocked' creatively a lot, and when I do, I still sit down and try to write. Most of it ends up being tripe, but that doesn't matter because I've done something and that something usually helps, a little, in working my way around the block.

    I do think 'worker's block' exists too! It's that moment when you think 'I just CAN'T do this any longer, I'm going HOME!' :-)

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  5. Thanks Rebecca!

    I think there are definitely valid times to step back and take a break - you can't keep going at full tilt all the time. For me, I think a lot of it comes down to the guilt factor, too. I know what I gave up to write so I want to make the most of it.

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  6. I am the hardest boss I've ever had!
    Talli, I don't understand--3000 words doesn't cure a headache? Who knew? :D

    Mary

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  7. I don't force myself into the chair to work if I'm not in the right mood. The exception if when I've got a deadline looming and I force myself into the right mood!

    My dad asked me the other day why I hadn't written much lately. He thought it was 'writers block'. No, I replied, you just try being witty, sexy and smart when there are builders drilling, playing Absolute 80s outside your window, and the dog is barking nonstop; when when you get a second of spare time there's always a wardrobe to be emptied or a ceiling to paint? By the time they'd all gone home I needed a big, big drink and then I was incapable of writing!

    I didn't have writers block. I had builders block!

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  8. Sangu - ha! Yes, worker's block probably does exist! Perhaps we can copyright that phrase.

    There are definitely times when it's easier to write than others. But I agree - sit down and push through it.

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  9. Mary - sadly, it doesn't. Try it and see!

    Kate - I *so* hear you on the builder's block thing. There's endless drilling going on behind me! I think each writer has a way of working that works for them. For me, it's routine. I need the routine!

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  10. You are amazing if you can get anything done with a headache like that. I'm a procrastinator too...need to work on that all the time.

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  12. Amen.... No excuses. I, too, am the master of procrastination; but, it's true. Sit your butt in the chair and writing happens.

    Thanks for the reminder.

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  13. You're right - giving into writer's block always feels worse than just trying to plough through it. I find that having a timetable helps if I'm struggling eg. deciding to write for an hour no matter what, then break. Usually I end up writing for much longer, because the actual process of writing has 'unblocked' me (does that make sense?)

    Hope you get well soon x

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  14. Clair, that totally makes sense to me! I find sometimes the days I least feel like it end up being the most productive! Bizarre!

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  15. Sorry about your headache! I have them often as well, and know what you're going through : (

    Couldn't agree more about sitting down in that chair and working it out. If you can't write on a WIP, then write a blog, or a journal entry. Or use the time to organize your stories or find new markets for your work.

    And sometimes NOT writing is part of the process as well. It's good to know when it's time to feed the Muse with non-writing activities.

    Good for you for sticking it out and working hard, Talli! Hope you feel better soon.

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  16. I would love to phone up work and say I had worker's block, although it makes me a) sound like a communist, or b) sound like I have constipation.

    I also don't believe in writer's block. Either get it done, or accept the day is for watching telly. It's sort of easier to say 'block' than it is to say 'can't be bothered'.

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  17. On those days when I'd rather be anyplace except my chair, I say I'll only write one page or one hour or one something. Then I'll say one more. Works for me. I'm a cruel boss.

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  18. Well... I believe writer's block is very real in the sense that there are times when I'm 'not inspired' and there are times when I absolutely cannot think of the next word to put on the page, and every time I try it feels like the words are awful. But I also think writer's block is more of an inability to enjoy writing than an inability to write. But you're right - it's not an excuse and it has to be worked through. :)

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  19. Yep, I sit down and get on with it too! I ususally find that by doing that I manage to work through whatever it is that causing me to 'not feel like it' and I usually get a lot of satisfaction at the end result!

    C x

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  20. It's hard to make ourselves do things sometimes no matter what. BTW, I have an award for you on my Saturday post at Thoughts in Progress

    Mason
    Thoughts in Progress

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  21. I've got a head full of throb today too. Perhaps it's the atmosphere.

    There's only one way : just bloody well sit down and get on with it!

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  22. Very inspirational post today, Talli, and one that I definitely needed!! Thank you!

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  23. I hope your headache clears up soon. I think there are some things that can hold you back from writing and looking at a screen and one of those things must be a headache. I don't, thankfully, suffer from them, but it can't be any fun. Obviously!?!

    If I have writers' block, I just start by writing something, anything vaguely to do with what I'm working on, and it usually goes from there.

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  24. Oooh you are a hard task mistress!!! LOL!!!

    How do I force myself back on the chair?? Usually after raiding the fridge and food cupboard. Seriously. I leave the pc, find something edible, eat myself silly and then sit myself back down again.

    Only to look for recipes I could concoct out of what I find..! LOL!

    I tell ya, the internet is EVIL!

    Take care
    x

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  25. p.s. I hope your headache is gone now btw!! Big hugs!! You have to look after yourself too!

    x

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  26. That makes such good sense. I always feel uncomfortable when people talk about their 'muse' not behaving. And well done for working through that headache but it's almost five o'clock and time to place something cool on your forehead and put your feet up. There have to be some advantages to being your own boss.

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  27. *Hug of sympathy for you, Talli* I've had a headache all day today too. But I'm still writing. I'd love to make an excuse, but I'm writing. You're right, we wouldn't not go to work with a headache so it's the same for writing.

    Feel better :)

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  28. I can force it until my brain shuts down. When that happens, nothing gets done. Except maybe some TV watching, but only if brain is not required.

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  29. I agree with you about writer's block! It's just an excuse for someone's fear or doubt about where to go next. Can you imagine if a doctor said she had a "surgery block" or a fireman said he had a "fire-fighting block." Yeesh! That just doesn't happen.

    Okay, sure, lives are on the line in those cases. But just because writers are responsible for fictional lives doesn't mean they get a free "writer's block" pass when they don't feel like working!

    When I don't feel like writing, I do it anyway. Ugh, it stinks. It's the only successful way I know how to slog through that muddy feeling. And I'm always glad when I do!

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  30. You have no idea how your post speaks to me. LOUDLY. Thanks.

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  31. I have a shelf of books about writing on the shelf next to my computer. Picking one of those up usually gets me going again. The other really useful thing is when I'm given a deadline. Then I'm sorted.

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  32. I'm lucky enough to be my own boss too - only I tend to find the opposite! When I'm ill and would never dream of going to a 9-5 job, I'll still find myself working. Maybe I should be working on becoming a kinder boss!

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  33. I thought you were going somewhere else with this excuses thing. Was getting ready to take notes, hahaha

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  34. On those kinds of days I tend to reward myself with mini-treats if I get so much done. 10 minutes of my Serenity DVD, a smoothie, pretzels... It helps :)

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  35. I've been so bad about excusing myself from writing lately! I keep thinking, "life will be easier in a few weeks, I'll write then." But really it's always a little hard. I always feel so much better about myself on days that I write.

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  36. A very catchy title!

    I enjoyed reading the comments. They took me back to a time when I was the age that you all are now. Then, and even now, if I'm blocked I don't write; but I'm always THINKING, which I consider writing too. If that makes sense....

    Hope the headache's gone soon. Headache or not, it sounds like you're determined, and that's what matters.
    Ann

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  37. So true! The butt-in-chair thing is absolutely essential. I try to force myself to do it every day. Treat writing like a career, not just a hobby, yanno? :)

    And I really hope the headache goes away soon!

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  38. You even blogged with a headache!

    You make excellent points here. It's easy to say our inner-muse goes on vacation because of reasons x, y, and z, so we can't possibly write. But in most professions there are no excuses. (I confess that I don't make my bed because it's going to get all rumpled again soon.)

    Which travel guide are you working on now?

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  39. Lovely post and doing it with a splitting headache is even tougher darling get well soon. I love making excuses and wouldn't have pulled that off :) xo

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  40. I hope you feel better!! I cannot work when I'm really sick. If I have a cold or a slight pain, I'm fine. But a nasty stomach virus or a migraine? All I can do is lie in bed, not out of laziness, but because I'm a weakling. ;)

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  41. These days, I'm trying to figure that out...

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  42. I am my own boss. A short while ago the staff played up and ignored the work in hand. I pulled the plug on her and she realised the benefits of putting in regular hours.
    The result? A completed novel. LOL ;0

    I do hope your headache clears, there is nothing worse when you try and write.
    I no longer allow myself writer's block, life is too short.

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  43. Sorry to hear about the headache. I get them a lot so I know how you feel. I'm the world's worst about procrastinating, especially when my head hurts. But I know my book will never get done if I don't make time to work on it every day, so that's a priority now. After I read Mockingjay, of course:)

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  44. You do make a good point. However, I do like the idea of worker's block. I am going to try that on my boss right now.

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  45. I hear you Talli,
    There are some days when I make up an excuse not to write. However, I do not come up with any excuses at work ;) Unfortunately, I have a boss :(
    Whenever I don't feel like writing, my support group is there to kick me in the derriere (not literally). We help each other with our writing.

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  46. I hope your headache goes away.

    If I really feel lousy and not up to writing, I read... and justify it as working on my craft. ;)

    BICFOK-butt in chair, fingers on keyboard.

    Feel better, Talli.

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  47. I like that excuse about washing the dishes together!

    Oh, I think the motivation to write might be found by looking at one's bills!

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  48. It's true, we tend not to treat writing as a "job" and so it's easier to make excuses. I combat this by giving myself a schedule AND a daily word count goal. Although some days it's still impossible eg yesterday I was so tired I decided to have a sleep even though I'd only written 300 words. Before I knew it the afternoon was gone. But geee I felt so much better for it. (And it's not a habit so I told myself it was ok)

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  49. I force myself in the chair after a long day at work. I know it always makes me feel better... much less cranky that's for sure. I think it's important to give me the dose of imagination I need. If it's not there at least I gave it a good honest effort!

    I hope that headache of yours is feeling better!

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  50. I'm an excuse maker too. And I so wish it were possible to call into work with worker's block. That would be so cool!!

    Hope you're feeling better!!

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  51. Like you, I push myself, don't like shortcuts and so on. But I've learned I can create in the morning with reasonable success then edit in the afternoon but not vice versa. Fought it for a bit then decided to go with that flow.

    Really, really hope your headache is gone. Those things hurt!

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  52. I'm also not a big believer in writer's block - or not for me anyway. I struggle with motivation at times but really, you're right...get your butt in the chair and do it anyway!

    Feel better soon :)

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  53. Half the time when I just plain don't feel like writing, I don't do anything about it. But then for the other half, I feel guilty so I force myself to write. If after half an hour I still don't feel like I've done anything worthwhile, I'll read a book or something to try to get in the mood and snag at least a little inspiration.

    Here's hoping your headache will ease up (although I hope it already has)! Maybe if you write long enough, and concentrate hard enough, you'll forget all about it. :]

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  54. I'm not a very good example...when I'm not in the mood to write, I blog.

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  55. I just make myself write. It isn't always easy, nor is it always truly productive but I make myself put words on the page and get on with it. It is just what I "do."

    Hope your headache has gone away!

    Ciao,

    Ardee-ann

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  56. I'm with you on this, writing is hard work but worth the effort.

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  57. I find it an impossible task to get me to do something I don't want to do. I have to bribe and cajole myself to write. This could be why my practice suffers. I do have a period in the mornings where I try to write something no matter what.

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  58. I use something simple called guilt!

    CD

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Coffee and wine for all!