I had an immensely frustrating week this week, basically having to put all my writing (and life) aside to get a volunteer project completed at my sons’ school simply because other people dropped the ball. The experience opened my eyes to an issue that vexes many people doing volunteer work – why is is that so many people feel they have no accountability? I often get the feeling that people view my writing in a similar way- to them it seems a fantasy life involving gazing out of windows, searching for inspiration in rainbows, and jotting down a few beautiful turns of phrase on a whim now and again. They don’t seem to realize that being a writer is all about accountability – to yourself, your agent, your editor as well as your readers. Unpublished and published writers alike know that 90% of the battle is showing up, time and time again and again (I call it putting on the bum glue), to get the writing done. It’s about setting goals or deadlines and making sure you meet them – otherwise a project can (and probably will) languish on the computer or in the drawer for years.
Recently, someone on Facebook posted a copy of Henry Miller’s work schedule ‘commandments’ for 1932-33 – I’ve copied it to this post below:
Miller had some great strategies which I need to remind myself of more often than I care to admit. I particularly like the two: ‘Work on one thing at a time until finished’ and ‘Forget the books you want to write. Think only of the book you are writing’. Who amongst us hasn’t started a new project only to fear, just a few weeks into it, that they really should be writing at least a dozen other projects instead? I always get my best ideas for other books as soon as I start writing one!
The one, however, that I was trying to really stick to was Miller’s commandment: “Write first and always. Painting, music, friends, cinema, all these come afterwards”. A few weeks ago, I had told my friends how I felt I really needed to start heeding this (I called it starting my era of ‘no’ – as I was spending way too much time getting sucked into other projects and activities that took me away from my writing). Part of my frustration this week, was that I could not hold to this in any shape or form. Despite communicating a deadline to my fellow volunteers (with summer looming I have to finish my draft WIP before the boys go on summer break) their lack of accountability meant I had to drop everything to get the job done:(
But thankfully, it’s the start of a new week and I have a renewed commitment to follow Henry Miller’s ‘commandments’ (and get over myself in the process:)) So, TKZers how do you establish a maintain your own ‘accountability’ to your writing? I am sticking to my original deadline and trying to mentally readjustment my frustration to meet it despite the week’s delay. What about you, how do you manage putting the ‘writing first’? Is it just me, or do people just seem to feel less accountable these days?
I’m not sure that lack of accountability is anything new, and the volunteer organizations I’ve belonged to seem to be rife with people who don’t do what they say they’ll do…one of the reasons I don’t volunteer any more. Been there; done that. But most days, I have a choice…I can write or do something else, and I choose to write. I think writers with children often don’t have a choice.
As for how I make writing a priority and get my friends to support me? I’m verbal and I declare, sometimes rather rudely, that I have a deadline and can’t join them for a specific activity. I have no idea what they really think when I decline an invitation, but I figure that ‘what they think is really none of my business’ (I forget the attribution for that quote.) My real friends understand, I hope.
I’d be interested in knowing whether male writers run into the reaction that their writing isn’t really something that should be taken seriously, because I know I’ve run into this attitude a lot, one of the reasons I’m no longer married!
I think the attitude issue is a hot topic for many women (and men I’m sure) – sometimes I joke that being a mom is my ‘cover’ so I don’t have to convince people writing actually is a job…
Clare, great post. Great topic. And one I’ve struggled with a lot.
I feel your pain, with others lack of accountability. I used to sing in a men’s group and was always “herding cats.” That’s one of the reasons I looked for creative endeavors where I did not need to depend on others – writing and woodturning.
As for my personal accountability with the writing, that’s a huge struggle. I have a full time job. I lost both parents over the last two years, and I’m settling an estate and dealing with squabbling siblings. But the biggest challenge is my ingrained “work ethic” – “work” being defined as “industrious.” Both my parents were professionals, but they grew up in farming families. If you weren’t busy doing something physical, you were lazy. So I fight with myself constantly. My wife is very supportive of my writing. That’s my saving grace. My compromise with myself is to go 50/50. I divide 50% of my “free” time between being “industrious” and writing.
I’m six months behind on my WIP. But I’ll get there eventually. I’m dreaming of retirement from my day job. Then EVERYDAY I can write in the morning and be “industrious” in the afternoon.
Thanks for the post and the opportunity for the catharsis of working it out in writing.
I certainly struggle sometimes with the same kind of work ethic – it’s why it took me so long to actually ‘be’ a writer – many years were spent doing what I considered ‘real’ work even though all I ever wanted to do was write! Of course the money part is a huge component but still, I often have to ‘get over myself’ on a number of fronts to really place my writing first. Good news though I was back up at 5:30am revising chapter 1. Only 30 odd more to go and I’ll meet my self-imposed deadline!
Interesting post, Clare. Both of my volunteer activities involve herding cats (borrowing Steve’s phrase) but are strictly voluntary – I coach junior high cross country and serve as chairman on a state licensing board for my industry.
My problem area isn’t the volunteer side, but the work side. I’ve taken a grand total of one day off each of the last two months, and tried to squeeze my writing around the work commitment. Needless to say, I’m behind schedule on the current WIP (though I got my non-fiction project done on time.)
Plus there’s family time with the girls and the grandkids, trying to get my running back to what it should be, etc. I have the family mostly trained to treat the writing side as work and that helps more than they know.
I remind myself when I get frustrated that I’m responsible for my own decisions. I’ve started a program of lifestyle triage, putting those activities most important on top. Sadly, the day job only comes in at number four on the list, so I’m going to find out whether a business can be successfully shrunk.
As with you and Steve, I suffer from the work ethic curse. It’s a good problem to have if I just learn to redirect it.
Any tips you have on redirecting the work ethic curse are welcome. I still can’t seem to be as good when it comes to writing as I am with everything else I feel accountable for!
This post was good for me today, Clare. I’ve been struggling with getting back on a daily writing schedule. It’s become too easy to allow other things to take over my life outside the full-time day job and thus the writing has suffered since I’m not under contract at the moment. It really is about showing up to do the job. I appreciate your thoughts and those responding.
It is all about showing up – but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. I struggle every week to balance everything while still making my writing the priority. Some weeks (like last week) are harder than others but I figure, we just have to keep trying!
I make a list the night before and tell myself I will follow it the next day. Monday’s list started with “email editor.” But in real life, Monday started with following husband to car repair shop 30 miles away to leave his car for repairs. I’m now an hour behind.
I’m a great list writer but not such a great list follower:) I start the week printing out the calendar for the week and marking out the goals for each day as well as all the other stuff (errands, appointments, gym etc.) I have to fit in. If I’m lucky I get to Tuesday and I’m actually still on track…
I am retired now, and that change in my life helped me finish my first book. As I start the sequel, however, my daughter is expecting my first grandchild. All discipline has gone out the window as I ferry her to doctor’s appointments and shopping…I can only imagine when the little man arrives and twists us around his fingers, my writing routine I’m afraid will be non-existent. What is sorta keeping me on track is my commitment to produce something for my writing group once a month. I need a clone…maybe two!
If you discover any cloning options let me know:)
Claire, thanks so much for sharing this. I may have it tattooed on my forehead.
Thank you for sharing Miller’s list, Clare–what fun!
In any unpaid endeavor, it’s an unwritten rule that the burden of work will fall disproportionately upon one, or perhaps a very few hearty, accountable souls. There seems to be an opt-out clause controlling the brains of many others. As a Mom, give yourself a reward this week for doing what was needed for your son. 🙂
Now I have sick boys to add into the mix which wasn’t quite the reward I was hoping for:)