Life of a Writer

May 1, 2012 in Creativity, Dig Deeper, Dreams, Life with 36 Comments

Photo by David Johnston Art

Absorb the constant rejection and occasional acceptance.
Dine on the diet of loneliness, pain and vulnerability.

Give away your deepest, darkest fears.
Watch yourself bleed.
Pour your soul on the page.
Weave your hopes and dreams into the tapestry of a story.

Wait for the applause, obscenities or the worse possible response—silence.

But take solace in what unites us:
Love.
Respect.
Jealousy.
Hate.
Doubts.
Fears.
Hopes.
Dreams.
Goals.

All of Which quietly collide one word at a time.

 

As a writer can you relate? If so, what is your favorite part of being a writer? Thanks!

 

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  • Janice

     It feeds my soul.  I look for the applause but am realizing that writing actually is more about reaching the most sacred inner part of me – the God created self – the self, that over the years has hidden behind the mask.  Writing allows me to dig deeper and connect back to the divine-self, moving close to God and all that He created me to be. 

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      That is fantastic. Writing makes you dig deeper and connects you with God on another level altogether. Thank you so much for sharing. That is so great! 

  • Marianne

    This is wonderful Jim especially “give away your deepest, darkest fears”.  Now I feel like writing today, Thanks.  

    • unknownjim

      Thanks So much Marianne! I am so glad that I am able to help!!!!!!

  • Pingback: Inspired By. | Bethany Suckrow

  • http://letmemoveyou.me Shelley Lundquist

    Letting my thoughts and words pour over the page - releasing my joy and saving my soul from being stifled by words unsaid.

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      Great points Shelley! It’s beyond therapeutic isn’t it!! Thanks for sharing!!

  • http://tamaraoutloud.com/ Tamara Lunardo

    Finishing a piece of work and feeling the deep satisfaction that I am doing what I was made to do. Even silence can’t touch that. Much. ;)

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      Love it!! You are right on the money there. Thanks so much for sharing Tamara!! I appreciate it!!

  • http://profiles.google.com/andilit Andrea Cumbo

    Jim, this is gorgeous.  I find that my favorite element of being a writer is the writing itself – the chance to shape what I feel into something I can see.  Thank you for sharing this loveliness. 

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      Thank you so much! I really appreciate it. I completely agree. It is amazing to shape something you feel into something that you can see. And it can be expressed and shared with others too! Thanks for sharing!!

  • http://www.zahndrew.com/ Andrew Zahn

    Yes it’s true it can be a lonely road and sometimes painful.

    It mimics life in general. Highs and lows… 

    Yet the life of a writer is also tempered with satisfaction. Good work. Accomplishment. Dream-catching. 

    This coming from a novice such as myself, but still, as an actor I’ve had my fair share of rejection… not in a letter, but to my face. 

    But we do it because we love it. 

    Love, not loathing, keeps up enjoying the (sometimes) difficult, but good, path. 

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      Well said Andrew. I couldn’t agree more. I love this: “Love, not loathing, keeps up enjoying the (sometimes) difficult, but good, path.” That is so well said. Thanks so much for sharing!!!!!

  • http://colebradburn.com/ Cole Bradburn

    I can completely relate, and this is amazingly eloquent.  

    This line “Wait for the applause, obscenities or the worse possible response—silence.” resonated with me deeply.  Still wrestle with the whole writing for myself and not the attention of others.  Working on it though.  Great post JIm.

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      Cole, thanks so much! I’m glad that this post resonated with you. It is VERY difficult to write for yourself first and not the audience first. It is a process for sure…one word at a time!

  • http://KatieAx.blogspot.com/ Katie Axelson

    My favorite part is the bleeding. Is that morbid? Once you start bleeding, it’s hard to stop. That’s what I love about writing.

    Katie

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      It’s morbid but honest. I’ll take it! :) haha

  • http://www.eileenknowles.com/ Eileen

    Great thoughts, Jim.   One thing I love about writing is how most of time when I sit down and start writing I have no clue what I’m going to write and it unfolds in the doing.  I love that.  I’ve learned that just being willing to start is huge. 

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      Thanks Eileen. I love watching work piece itself together like a puzzle or fold together like origami. It’s amazing isn’t it!!

  • Pilar Arsenec

    Expressing my innermost thoughts and emotions on a page.

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      Well said. Thanks so much for sharing Pilar!!!!

  • FreddieTeague

    My favorite part of being a writer is the opportunity to impact and influence lives as well as invest in them.

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      Freddie, I couldn’t agree more! You are RIGHT ON THE MONEY!!!!!!!

  • http://chrystalmurphy.com/ Chrystal

    Great post Jim!! For me I think writing is therapeutic in a sense. I don’t communicate well or express ideas well with my voice but give me a keyboard and I’ll communicate all day long. It’s a release, a comfort to get the words, thoughts, ideas, emotions out of my head and onto paper (or the computer screen). For that reason, I must write. And I hope that what I express helps someone else along the way.

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      Thanks so much Chrystal!!! I love how you worded it “it’s a release, a comfort to get the words, thoughts, ideas emotions out of my head and on to the paper or screen”. That is fantastic. So well said!!!!!!!

  • Steve Waters

    I’ve written several business articles and a men’s devotional book.  You are right – the most amazing thing is the silence.  That’s the tough one.  Getting something published feels like winning a sale in a major account at the end of an incredibly long sales cycle.  I’ve  just started my first novel.  I guess I haven’t had enough punishment!  :)

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      Thanks for sharing Steve. First off congrats on starting your first novel! That is FANTASTIC!
      I believe a writer is always in pain, but just trying to get it out on to paper. Know you aren’t alone. We are all facing this same fight you face as well.

  • http://shewritesandrights.blogspot.com Bethany Suckrow

    “All of Which quietly collide one word at a time.” – Love that powerful last line, Jim. This is a truly great post! 

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      Thanks so much Bethany! So nice of you to say. I really appreciate it!!

  • http://rebootingworship.com/ Jamie Kocur

    My favorite part is having a big jumbled mess in my head that finally untangles itself and makes sense on the page before me.

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      Well said! Sorting out the puzzle pieces in our head is a really AMAZING thing isn’t it!

  • http://twitter.com/Sophie_Novak Sophie Novak

    The favorite part for me is when I get past the initial hesitation, blockage, fear, push through them and start. Once I start, it keeps going and going and the feeling of words coming out of me, ideas I haven’t even processed before writing them is the most amazing feeling of all and finally when I stop and look back at it I feel content with myself. No need for applause, no need for recognition, just those inspired moments as often as possible. 

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      Feeling content after creating is a great feeling for sure! I ask myself (many times) “how did I NOT write?” And the answer is I really don’t know!

  • Yvette Carol

    Hey Jim, sounds like you ARE a writer!! Welcome to the trenches. Only a writer knows how tough it really is out here. I was saying to my sister today, that I’ve been writing and studying it for years but it’s only been in the last 12 months specifically that the substratum has begun to come clear. Writing fiction is deeper, harder, more complex than I ever imagined. Long ago when I started out I thought a natural yen for it was enough. Oh boy, it ain’t even nearly enough! I had that innocent idea knocked the hell out of me about 100 rejections ago. It’s really exciting though when you get to glimpse the gemlike inner strata that waits at the core of this wonderful world. :-)

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      Thanks Yvette!! I AM A WRITER. The trenches is definitely a good term for it. I totally agree! Writing fiction is one of the most difficult things to do. I’m so glad that you have advanced in the last year. I like this part a lot- “It’s really exciting though when you get to glimpse the gemlike inner strata that waits at the core of this wonderful world.” So well said!

      • http://colebradburn.com/ Cole Bradburn

        You’re right, You are a writer, because you say you are ;)  Keep it up!