When I am struggling with the what, how, when of writing and trying to "make" the time (please see post from December 5, 2014, regarding balance and making time to write), I find turning to Anne Lamott's BIRD BY BIRD really gets the creative juices flowing.
This morning, I went back to my previously highlighted areas discussing perfectionism and the havoc it can wreak on one's writing life. Lamott argues that "perfectionism will ruin your writing, blocking inventiveness and playfulness and life force." She suggests one's attempts to control the environment around us and keep things tidy actually serves to cramp our style. Ms. Lamott's "bottom line" implies we will not get very far in our writing if we don't "get over" our perfectionism. We should follow our calling and embrace the "wonderfully fertile ground" clutter and mess provide as..."perfectionism is a mean, frozen form of idealism while messes are the artist's true friend."
Well, my friends, I am attempting to embrace the clutter and mess. I still can't work in chaos, but I promised myself I would get down to business and write (once things were somewhat in order, that is!), and here I am. I've not posted on my blog in some time so wanted to do that first and am now about to tackle my current WIP for the next hour plus before needing to go pick up kids. I look forward to letting loose with the ties that bind my mind to see where it may lead.
I would love to hear your strategies for making the time to write despite any clutter and mess as well as what gets the creativity flowing should you feel obliged.
Happy weekend and writing!
