Okay, okay. There weren’t any snakes on the plane this time. I just wanted a catchy title. Or something.
Life is all about change. How we react and adapt to our changing lives is, I believe, what molds us into the human beings we are. Resist change and we risk stagnation. Change too much and we soon don’t recognize who we are. Find the perfect balance and we can become extraordinary.
What the frak does this have to do with a plane? (or snakes?)
Okay. So, I know writers all have their little habits, superstitions and preferences. And no preference is greater than our “place to write.” Be it a quiet desk, back porch, room with a view, basement or cabin in the freakin’ woods (yeah, right) – most fiction writers have a favorite. Some writers cannot even function unless their requirements are met.
For me, I wrote Eden in my basement, with no outside noise/interruptions. From what I hear, this is a common scenario. Quiet & solitude.
Well, life has a way of trampling all over your good intentions sometimes. I mentioned in my post about “professionalism” the idea that we make time for the things we want to do. Fuck excuses – you aren’t allowed any when it comes to matters of the heart. If something means enough to you, chances are you *can* make time for it. You can change.
Life has been crazy for me over the past 6 months. It would be easy for me to say “I’m too busy!” and hang up the pen for a while. I’m sure we all feel that way sometimes. Maybe we consider quitting school (again) because it’s just too difficult with the job, kids, whatever. Maybe our relationship is just becoming an inconvenience. Perhaps we aren’t following that dream because we aren’t making progress.
If you know what you’re trying to do is the *right* thing for you, then don’t let the excuses mount a resistance. Find a way to make it work.
Now, I’m no time wizard, but I changed my habits to still fit writing into my life. It sure as hell wasn’t easy, nor did it happen overnight. I just kept attempting to produce words despite less than perfect environments. And now I can write anywhere. Kids watching TV in the same room? No problemo. No elbow-room typing on the iPad in an airplane? Easy peasy. Quick-session writing bursts in-between other activities? Sometimes!
Would I prefer to write with nice 6-hour blocks of uninterrupted silence? Hellz yeah. But that isn’t life right now. So, I needed to get creative. It’s all about adapting to your “normal” and fitting everything together… with a sledgehammer if necessary. (these 2,000 words brought to you from my iPad)
I may be talking a whole ton more about *change* quite soon. It’s on my mind as I continually make changes to improve my life and my family’s life. I’ll also have some Babylon and Eden graphic novel updates! (all good stuff)
