Give Writing The Time On Your Clock And The Loyalty Of Your Heart.

Art For Art's Sake: Part 23

Photo by Kyle Glenn on Unsplash

Once you have realised that writing is what you want to do and writer is what you want to be, the next step is to give Writing the respect it deserves.

Which means Writing and writing deserve the time on your clock and the loyalty of your heart.

But before that, you will have noticed that I wrote the word "Writing" in two different ways. One with the capital letter W and the other with the small letter w. Because they are two different aspects of this creative journey, both must be taken care of.

Writing (with the capital letter W) is the art. It is one of the many ways of creative expression available to us.

Writing (with the small letter w) is the act of putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard). It is one of the many different stages in the art-making process.

Writing and writing need us to be present and engage with them. Only then will we be able to produce something valuable.

Writing (capital W) deserves that we indulge in it. Learn from the ones who came before us. Do not judge anything (any work of fiction or non-fiction) but find out where we sit on the spectrum. And then create our own work and contribute to the whole. This is the lifelong goal you are aiming for.

Writing (small w) deserves that we write. Simple. Again, no judgement here. Just writing should be our mantra. We could always edit and change things later. Indulging in the act of writing is the short-term goal that will lead us to achieve the lifelong one.

It's okay if you don't write every day. I write about 12-16 days per month. But it would be heartbreaking if you don't indulge in Writing every day, even if it is for a couple of minutes.

What I mean by indulging in Writing every day is think about it, learn about it. Research it. Experiment with it. Daydream a happy future together. Do whatever you can to keep the dream of becoming and being a writer alive. Because one day and I say this from 9 years of experience, it will all come together.

That is how you give Writing and writing the time on your clock and the loyalty of your heart.

If you really, deeply want to be a writer for life, then make it a priority.

There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.
– Maya Angelou

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More in the Art For Art’s Sake series -

1. Your Job As A Writer Is To Write

2. Start Where You Are

3. To Build Your Writing Career, Start Small.

4. What Does It Mean To “Trust The Process?”

5. Consistency Will Help You Make A Breakthrough

6. You Must Stay Persistent With Your Creative Journey

7. Deliberate Practice Is The Key To Master The Craft Of Writing

8. Go Low, Slow And Steady. And You’ll Reach Your Writing Milestones Quicker.

9. Treat Your Art As An Experiment

10. If You Are Not Having Fun While Creating, You’re Doing It Wrong

11. Contrary To Popular Belief, Write For Yourself First

12. Comparison And Competition Will Hurt Your Writing

13. Rest Is Your Answer To A Productive Writing Session

14. Let Curiosity Lead Your Writing - And 2 Ways Of Doing It

15. You Need To Have Faith And Let Your Words Flow

16. Always Move On To Your Next Writing Project

17. Once You Choose To Become A Writer, You Are One For Life.

18. You Already Are A Writer. You Just Have To Identify As One To Yourself.

19. Breathe Life Into Your Writing Dream. Because If You Don’t, Who Will?

20. My Dear Writer, You Are Doing Your Best. Stop Beating Yourself Up.

21. Writing A Book Is Like Baking A Cake.

22. For The Sake Of Your Writing, Become Friends With Fear.

23. Give Writing The Time On Your Clock And The Loyalty Of Your Heart.

24. Nourish Your Writer Soul And Take Care Of Your Inner Creative Well.

25. Keep Logic, Ego And Rationality Out Of Your First Draft.