Our Walk toward Wisdom

Today’s prompt on Writer’s Digest was to simply write for 15 minutes – no matter the form or function, the level of completion, or the amount of satisfaction it provides.

Among the many challenges for writers who draw distinctions between writing for pleasure and writing for “work” is the ability to drown out the noise.

When I write for pleasure, there could be a train barreling through my living room and the lines will still flow effortlessly out of me. This is, of course, because just like I wouldn’t stop breathing or thinking during this distraction, my mind wouldn’t stop creating.

When I write for work, such as for my actual job, or adding to my dissertation, or completing a “challenge,” the room can be still as cement and quiet as moonlight and I will still struggle to find the words. Everything becomes noise. It’s too early or too late in the day or week or month. The dryer is taking too long. The house smells smokey. The bills should be paid today. I begin to worry about format, spelling, punctuation, and the dreaded, “Do these words sound right?”

Words sound how they sound.
Thoughts occur in the order that they occur.
Breath comes or it doesn’t.

Why does it only matter to me when I’m not writing for me?

Teachers and students at our district received an extended winter break this year. Instead of two weeks, as traditionally given, we were given four weeks as a trade-off for coming back to school from summer break early. It has been the best thing ever.

I have read several books, baked many cakes, written endless poems and grocery lists and journal entries and doodles. How many pages have I added to my dissertation? ZERO.

ZERO.

Why can I not just DO IT already?

Why do I agonize so?

I have one week remaining.

One week.

Here’s the best part. My dissertation is actually about writer’s voice. About being able to write the way we want to write. It’s about what I know.

Which begs the question – what’s my problem anyway?????