It's Okay To Write Slowly | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

It's Okay To Write Slowly

Just because you're serious about writing, doesn't mean you have to burn yourself out over it.

107
It's Okay To Write Slowly
google

I'm going to continue my theme from last week and write my article on, well, writing. In my last article I talked about how you shouldn't wait for inspiration to push your writing along. It would be a bit hard to get anywhere as a writer if that's all you did. And I don't want you to feel like I'm contradicting myself by writing this current article. The reason I say that is because this time I'm going to write about how it's perfectly okay to take it easy with your writing.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with not being an aggressive writer. You don't have to finish a chapter a week. You don't have to finish a chapter a month or even in a year. You can go at any pace that works for you. You don't need to write for other people or at their pace. Write for your own enjoyment and take however much time you like to do it. That can mean you churn out a chapter a day, every day of the week. Or maybe you don't write two words in a month. Either way is perfectly alright.

Now, don't forget, you should't depend entirely on inspiration. You have to rely on your own mind, you accumulated knowledge, and also your characters in order to keep your story going. Inspiration isn't a constant companion. It's a bit of a fair-weather friend. It's pretty unreliable.

And I won't pretend to know everything about writing. Far from it. I'm always having to learn new things about it. I only know what works for me and what my own experience has taught me. You can listen to people give you writing advice 24/7, but it may not help you. Every writer has to figure out what works for them. It's not a math problem. There isn't a trade and true process or formula that works 100% of the time.

Whereas with my last article I pushed for you to keep moving, with this one, I'm reminding you there's nothing wrong with being a bit more laid back. Being a slow writer doesn't mean you aren't serious about writing. It doesn't mean you aren't a real writer. It doesn't mean you don't have a serious commitment to the craft. You're a real writer if you WRITE. That's all you've got to do.

Also, it's perfectly okay to put your writing on pause for a while and spend your extra time on a TV show instead. Watch the whole thing, if you like, without ever staring at that frightening blank page in your notebook or computer.

Maybe you just feel like reading a book. Well, by all means, read the book! Even if you're a serious writer, it doesn't have to consume your whole world and every one of your free moments. I've tried that, and it burns me out pretty quickly. Trying to do so much all the time might kill your motivation and maybe even your story.

Plus, maybe the TV show and the book will help your writing move along. You might think you're being completely unproductive, but there's a pretty good chance that it'll help with your creative process. I know it does for me.

So here's what I'll leave you with. If you want to push along, then do it! If you want to take it easy, do it! There is nothing wrong with either one. Don't force yourself to operate as a writer on terms that don't work for you. You'll do great!

Happy writing!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

179222
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

6384
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

451899
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

22965
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments