For me, writing has long been an experience of loving avoidance. I do lots of writing. I think I'm pretty good at it. But I never seem to get around to the writing I really want to do.
As a university administrator and also as Technical Director of a large arts organization, I write quite often for business purposes - email, proposals, policy drafts, meeting minutes, promotional copy, contracts, and the like. As a Communications student in university, I wrote an endless tome of analytical papers.
However, my dream of being a creative writer seems doomed to a life of listless fantasy. The blank page is my enemy; limitless possibility evokes terror. I sweat. I procrastinate. I eat. I sleep. I seldom put pen to paper. A few poems, perhaps, and some folk songs have been scratched out over the years. I even took a couple of journalism courses in the hope of blending creative writing with commercial incentive. No such luck. At least I'm consistent in my obstinacy.
Well said! I too share your spirit of literary procrastination. It took me a spell to even comment back here on this blog! We can succeed! We will prevail against the enemies of the pen.
ReplyDeleteGreat, Ed! You have a great pen to express yourself so well. You can even send this essay to some newspapers (such as The Province or Sun?) or magazines for more publication. Because you mentioned the soft spot shared by so many people, and you discribed it so beautifully vivid.
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