Into the Fire

Passionate thoughts about the world of writing and the Power of God

 

Many authors often speak of the isolation involved in the writing world. Hours and hours spent hunched over keyboards or propped in various sitting positions with pads and pens. Some cite the use of storyboards, sticky notes, index cards, notebooks, and/or files. Some desks sport piles of paper and accessories and others look barren and pristine. Some write with specific music and others write in dead silence – or wish they could.

All in all, there needs to be alone time and a fair amount of it to complete manuscripts. Time dedicated to writing. Regardless of how beneficial, productive, sterling, or putrid, time is required for writing words and making them into stories.

Most writers like the time spent creating. The soloist primed to perform. Enter those words to the page. Develop that character, rattle that plot, deliver that drama, or inspire that laughter. Instant gratification or disappointment for another day. Edit as you go or cram words and wait until the first draft is complete. Methods galore for the solitary individuals tackling and pinning words to screens.

Some do their isolation duty with rigid discipline. Others search for distractions and break out for social action.

The writing life demands some solitude. Some of us thrive in it while others suffer through it.

Which one are you?

Lord, it's good to know you're with us in isolation and crowds. Thank you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

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4 responses to “Solitary”

  1. BK Jackson Avatar

    Whenever I’m in solitude is when I’m the happiest. Sadly, it happens very little. Even my coworkers can tell the difference. I use my two 15-minute breaks at work to write (or edit, etc as the case may be) and in my morning break, I can usually have the break room to myself 95% of the time.
    Someone came in while I was writing one day and commented later that I looked and seemed much different then when I was at the plank (what passes for a desk at my company) working. Happy, relaxed, lost in my little world.
    I seriously do believe a lot of great ideas won’t get to paper (or e-book) because most of the time, people never get nearly enough time to think and create. You can’t just snap your fingers or wave a magic wand. It takes time (and isolation) to distill thoughts and turn them into stories.
    I admire people who can write with their kids screaming in their ears and while listening to the hubby’s (or wife’s) report on what happened at work that day, but I can’t do it.
    It’s one thing if its the occasional trip to Chick-Fil-A, writing amidst the white noise (Hint: do NOT go on Tuesday nights!) but otherwise, I gotta be isolated.

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  2. Brenda Anderson Avatar

    How people write in coffee shops is beyond me. Give me solitude any day–that’s where my creativity comes out. I’m blessed to be a stay-at-home mom so when the kids are in school, I have close to seven hours of quiet. Of course, not all of those hours can be devoted to writing, but it’s far more than most people get.
    Also, when I’m driving alone I come up with some of my greatest ideas. I do have a voice recorder–the problem is, it’s never in the right vehicle.

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  3. Nicole Avatar

    I’m with you ladies. Isolation of which I have a good supply works best for me. And quiet. Lately I’ve been able to listen to a specific artist’s CDs for my latest WIP. Instrumentals that kind of put me in a melancholy mood that fits this story. This is new for me. And I don’t do it all the time. I too go off in story world when driving – and sometimes wonder if that’s such a great idea. 😉

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  4. BK Jackson Avatar

    Thanks for the reminder, Brenda! I’m going on a litle get away this weekend (first one in over a year!) and I forgot to put voice recorder on my list of things to pack.
    You’re right though–I often manage to NOT have it around right when I need it. LOL!

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