What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of being a writer? What is your greatest reward from writing?
I've been thinking about this one a lot, trying to narrow it down (lots of challenges in this business), and I'd have to say the most challenging thing for me is sitting down and making myself write. I know that makes it sound like I don't enjoy writing. I love writing and making up stories. Regardless of what I'm doing, I'm constantly distracted with thoughts about plot points or characters or whatever I'm working on. But when I sit down with the intention of writing, I always seem to find a million other things to do besides work on my novel. And sometimes, I feel guilty for writing, at least when I first get started, because there are always fifty other things I need to take care of, like laundry, dishes, going to the grocery store, and... It's a long list.
When I do write, though, that's the reward. I love when I finish a scene and I can say I did it. Even better when I can look back at it after a few days later and still love it, or love it even more. The best is when I hate it after I first finish it, but let it sit for a week and go back to find that it's actually pretty good, even if it needs a little tweaking. And I guess, the ultimate reward is typing The End, and knowing that even though it's not technically finished, it's all out of my head and ready to get shiny.
So what about all of you? What do you find the most challenging about writing? What do you find the most rewarding?
Be sure to check out yesterday's post about Shaun's challenging Ch Ch Changes, and don't miss Cole's post tomorrow.
My most challenging aspect of writing is dialogue and just discipline.
ReplyDeleteMy greatest reward is when I type something up and print it out. I hold and I think, Wow! I wrote this! It may be crap but it's my crap so we know it smells like roses. :D
Dude the hardest thing is tuning out all the other things an author has to do BESIDES write. There's a million blogs to read. A million website. This group, that one. This other chat. The list goes on and on.
ReplyDeleteAnd if I'm not there, if I don't participate, I feel like I've missed something vital.
And that's the hardest part for me.
The most difficult part? Reminding myself not to compare my writing to the writing of my favorite pubbed authors. It's a challenge for me to stay optimistic, and keep motivated.
ReplyDeleteThe greatest reward is being able to lose myself in the story I've created. That's when I know it's going to be worth sticking with.
Great post!
Writing THE END is a huge reward for me. I love that feeling!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how the chores always seem to be more important than writing; I get that feeling too. But the chores will always be there, so it's important to set aside time for writing.
ReplyDeleteMost challenging is balancing time so that it doesn't impact the rest of my lovely family time. I still work full time so I am a stickler for writing daily now though so I grab it whenever I can!
ReplyDeleteMost rewarding - why meeting such a great like minded writers online, blogging and tweeting. Its like having a whole universe of friends and everyone has common goals.
Ok - and also finishing a scene and thinking - wow did I write that? ;))
I so completely agree with everything you just said. I may write my blog tomorrow and say, "See Abby's. Enough said." lol
ReplyDeleteWords come easily, so I would have to say the most challenging is confidence. Which in itself, is slowly dimishing. The more I write, the better I get (one would hope).
ReplyDeleteWhy write? Because I can't imagine not. Besides I've discovered writing gives me a voice, let's me hear in ways I can't anymore in my deafness. (Hugs)Indigo
LOL, you better not Cole. See Abby, this wasn't that hard. And here I think I always have to struggle to come up with questions good enough for all you great writers. This is an awesome answer.
ReplyDeleteSitting down and making myself write is one of the hardest things for me too. Once I start, I'm fine, but getting that engine started is so hard.
ReplyDeleteHi Abby. I guess the greatest challenge for me is making sure nothing gets lost in translation on its journey from my head to the page. I think that's how I measure my own sucess. So, I suppose the greatest reward is when I've accomplished that goal. BTW, nice blog!
ReplyDeleteBalance Balance Balance....So hard sometimes!
ReplyDeleteThe hardest thing for me is sitting down and making myself write which means resisting the temptation to blog hop, work on email, etc.
ReplyDeleteThe greatest reward is hearing from a reader who enjoyed my book, especially when they take the time to say what they liked about it.
oh exactly! I wrote about the same thing LOL I can't stop thinking about my writing and yet, when I sit down to do it, I procrastinate. But hey, gotta stick with what I'm good at, right? :D
ReplyDeleteYour post rang really true. It is hard to sit down and write. I always think of the other things I have to do, but, oh, when I do get the scene out or the words are just right, it's bliss.
ReplyDeleteGood question, good response. For me, the answer to both halves of that question is simply: writing. Some days it's a bear, some days it's an angel. But no matter how you slice it, it's always an unforgettable and fulfilling ride.
ReplyDeleteHaha, I have laundry and dishes piling up as we speak. It's hard not to feel guilty about all those other things in your life that you know you should be doing, but I think it's equally important to concentrate on something that makes you truly happy. Great post!
ReplyDeleteWay to hit the nail on the head! Great post.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Sometimes it is hard to sit down and crank out some wordage. But the end result is definitely the reward!
ReplyDelete