When I finish a writing project, I am swept away to a place where I can breathe deeply. Fresh air fills my lungs. I stretch my body and expand my mind to let new ideas flow.
Am I ever really done?
The thought of taking time off to celebrate doesn’t enter my mind. I am under the same spell as most writers. We don’t write by choice. We have to tell our stories. It’s a compulsion so ingrained, a pleasure so exquisite, it transfixes us. We gaze at the horizon and envision other worlds.
Unlike other professions, being a writer is a vocation, a passion, an honor. It’s a freedom to write what I think. The only limit is my imagination.
A clean sheet of paper is a pristine blanket of snow. Full of Earth’s sweetness and possibility, it beckons me to keep writing. I open my mind and let the words pour onto the page.
I start anew.
Why do you write? What does finishing feel like? Are you currently working on any writing projects?
This is a response to the Weekly Photo Challenge – State of Mind
Susie Lindau's Wild Ride 
Yup, can totally relate. Just finished the final edit of a big project, and immediately started another!
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It never ends! I have such a long list, just like you. I’m glad to be in such great company. 🙂
Congrats on your edits, Kassandra and thanks for stopping by!
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Reblogged this on Kade Cook – Author and commented:
As a writer…one is never truly done.
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Thanks so much for the reblog!
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You are quite welcome. 🙂
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I am working on something but It’s music not proper Authoring like you! Great Photo!
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Thank you!
Creative people are very much the same. My son, who is a DJ and musician, and I talk all the time. We have very similar experiences. It’s all about finding your passion and going for it! I was trained as an artist and never felt like I do now. It’s all about making something out of nothing. Not everyone can do that.
I will check out your blog and your music! Thanks for stopping by.
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Duuuuuuuuuuude that is an AMAZING picture! I can’t believe that scenery was just around your corner. I love it! It’s awesome and so peaceful totally inspires me to meditate. Love the peace I feel when I look at it. As for the writing I agree I have all kinds of stories to tell, but I up guess I’m a little different when I finish something. I do a little happy happy dance, high five myself, add onto my gratitude jar and take the next day off go to the beach or do something to celebrate. Then I get back to it.
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Thank you! That scene was right through my kitchen window last week. Now it’s back in the 60’s.
You get back to it and don’t take off weeks or months. It’s a compulsion don’t you think? It’s all about the creative process and the need to “make” something and tell a story. It’s so cool and addictive!
I can’t wait to read your books, Guat. 🙂
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It is a compulsion. And you’re right, you can’t take too long a break because you’ll lose you’re rhythm … Like when a surfer loses their wave. But I’m on it! As I took an editing break On my novel, I didn’t quite take a break from writing … wrote a play…short ten-minute thing for a festival at a theatre downtown and it’s getting picked up!! Woo-Hoo for novel writing breaks like that and small victories. I’ll be able to see actors say my words. Definitely will post on it. And thanks for your energy and encouragement, writing buddies like you keep me going. 🙂
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I totally agree. I have to just force myself to finish one project before moving on to tell the next story. Then there’s all the editing and re-editing that happens in between, which creates more frustration in not being able to start that next story. But, start it I will.
A fresh piece of paper is like a pristine blanket of new snow indeed. Let it snow!
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
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Let it snow!
That’s been the hardest part for me. I have several projects going. This first one HAS to be done. I can’t keep going back when there are so many other stories to tell.
Thanks Patricia! Always great to “see” you. 🙂
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I feel like I could “tinker” with my words forever. But I know it’s time to let the story go when my tinkering is no longer improving it. I could spend forever just taking a word out and putting a different word in!
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I’ve read some essays that have been so overworked I didn’t know what the writer meant! I’m more of a Dan Brown writer. I just tell the story and keep moving forward.
Good luck on your project, Jackie!
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Coming in the home stretch of draft three of my writing project. Will it ever be done? And what will be done with it? Lovely and inspiring photo and words. Thanks.
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Thanks, Julie!
Congrats!
I went waaaaaaaaay beyond three drafts. My debut novel has been through so many versions, I just guess at 876 rewrites. I will be done when an agent or editor says they want to represent me. Fingers crossed for both of us.
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Good to hear that. Was just reading that Hemingway claimed all his first drafts were terrible, and that he re-wrote, from the beginning, over and over. Not that I’m claiming a seat next to Hemingway.
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Ha! Neither am I!
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That place in your photograph is lovely and full of inspiration. Your piece is even more beautiful and I’m sure it reached right into every writers heart and squeezed.
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I write to free all of the thoughts that are tumbling around in my head all the time. It is relaxing, challenging and fun. I love seeing what others write about and their styles.
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I know what you mean. My thoughts are like ping pong balls. Writing slows them down and organizes them, at least for a little while. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, Lori!
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Why is it that my best thoughts occur in the shower, when I am bike riding, etc. and there’s no way to jot them down? Good for the grey matter to try to remember, I guess. Happy Day to you from Oregon.
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My brother bought me a waterproof notepad for the shower. If I get an idea while walking, I dictate ideas using the microphone in “Notes.” That would be tough on a bike! Ha!
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I’m always much more of a writer in my head than on the page, I imagine that I love writing, but then as soon as the writing gets hard, I switch to another project, I need more perseverance! My short attention span doesn’t help with the writing at all. Love the snow picture by the way.
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True stuff, Colorado.
Inspiration is everywhere and it’s all the time. It can come to you while you’re waiting in line at the grocery store or when you’re ready to close your eyes and go to sleep and a loose thought forces you to turn on the light and scribble down the idea.
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Right on. I feel off if I don’t get my fix. I’m addicted. 🙂
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There’s no cure. Isn’t it great?
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Your photo is so serene and lovely, it’s a little break in the middle of my day. 🙂
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This rings very true. Last year was a year of a novel, three short stories, three feature scripts and three short scripts. Finally decided to give myself a month off, but damn it all if writing isn’t so much fun. I can’t wait to get back into it next month.
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You were very busy. It’s hard not to write! My mom came into town and I took two days off. Even that felt weird. Ha! Writers write.
Thanks for stopping by!
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Thank you. Sorry for the typo. Aren’t those the most annoying things ever?
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They are! I just fixed it.
Thank you!
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Good morning
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To me writing is compulsive. It’s something I have to do. I love the creative process of it all. When it comes to writing I’m always working on something.
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I feel like I’m constantly writing. Whether it’s here on my blog or my own private Gratitude Journal or writing a travel article for a magazine my mind never stops. Eek, which makes it tiring at night when I can’t switch off. Your photos are wonderful Susie.
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At least with cartooning it takes between one to two hours from start to completion of a frame. Ah, but ideas seems to take forever sometimes but i hope the process is never completed for me.
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That’s great! Keep on creating, Carl!
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