I've been thinking a lot about writing process & how individual it is. It's easy to get anxious about measuring up or feel like you're not doing it right.
But your process is your process. It's figuring out what works for you, not what works for your friends or other authors.
But your process is your process. It's figuring out what works for you, not what works for your friends or other authors.
It takes me a long time to write a story. I used to think there was something wrong with me & my process bc I couldn't write fast. (It always looks so easy on the outside.)
But I've realized that it's not because I don't draft quickly--it's because I'm always, constantly writing & iterating on what works & doesn't work. I don't let go of things until I feel entirely confident that they're ready.
That's part of why I don't think about daily word count. My writing's exploratory, & I throw a lot of stuff out. I could write 12 words or 10,000 words, but all that matters to me is how much I keep. Even if I keep 0, it's not a failure.
I think process is about balancing spontaneity, discipline, & control. It's about figuring out what you want, how your brain works, & building a path to enable you to do your best work. It might not look like everyone else's!
(spoiler alert: there is no "everyone else")
(spoiler alert: there is no "everyone else")
So I guess what I'm saying is, fuck anyone who tries to comment on/throw shade at "your creative output." It's yours.
You can do it. They don't matter. The work does. <3
You can do it. They don't matter. The work does. <3
