As any self-proclaimed writer will tell anyone willing to listen, writing sucks. Actually, just about anyone who is passionate about anything—be it running or guitar-playing—will tell you the many challenges involved in their chosen field. It’s as if being deeply invested in an area of work is synonymous with being never truly satisfied enough with one’s work. And perhaps, that’s how it should be. Because what that entails is a never-ending satiation to improve oneself, involving countless hours of practice and receiving an agonizing number of noes, to be the best one can be. And allowing oneself to sit in complacency, well, that would just be the end of it.
So without further ado, here goes the stages of writing (which may also apply to other passions):1. The Spark
When it's 3 a.m. and you're lying in bed, but that bulb over your head lights up, and the bell goes ding! ding! ding! Oh, you just have to write it down.
2. That Opening Line
Pencil sharpened. Paper smoothened out. 3 shots of espresso flowing through your bloodstream. But you just can't find the perfect first line.
3. Writer's Block
After an hour, you finally craft an immaculate opening line. Great! Now, you just have to write the rest.
4. In The Flow
Eureka! Everything finally clicks in, and you become invincible. Nobody can stop you from writing. After five hours of crying and staring at the wall, you have become a wordsmith. Words now flow seamlessly through your fingertips, and if there was a speed limit for typing, you'd already be fined $500.
5. The End
Congratulate yourself. Now you can call yourself a writer and actually have proof of it. Whether or not people will read it is a whole other issue... As of now, celebrate!
6. Destructive Self-Criticism
You've read your work at least a hundred times and you were proud of it 2 hours ago. But joy is short-lived as you're overcome with self-loathe and self-hate.
7. Go Back To Step 1. Repeat Forever.
That's right. Because no matter how hard it is, no matter your doubts and insecurities, you can't stay away from writing. You're broke and you just got another rejection letter? Shrug it off. You write because it's your passion, and you'll keep writing. Forever. Because with hard work and determination, one day you'll trick a publisher into thinking you're a good writer.
