As a writer, Boice’s Rule #5 would
be the hardest to follow. It is difficult
for me to imagine stopping working on my essay for the day in the middle of a
sentence, without finishing my thought.
I question whether or not I would really be able to pick up my train of
thought at the next sitting – and I know I would be frustrated if I were not
able to find the same wording that had come so easily the day before. That is another part of the rule that I think
I would find difficult to adhere to – that, even if the words seem to be
flowing freely from my hand onto the page, I would still have to stop writing
at the predetermined stop time. I would feel,
like Boice’s writers, that I had not made any progress.
At the same
time, I understand why Boice wants writers to stop. He is right about hypomania – when I write
for too long and am just trying to finish above all else, the quality of my
writing tends to drop severely. I end up
spending more time editing the paper later than if I had taken my time
writing. I also think that it is
important that writers have a social life, as Boice mentions, so that they do
not become consumed by their writing. I
agree that it is when writing begins to interfere with socialization and normal
daily activities that it feels like an even larger burden. I think trying to stop while I am writing
will be extremely beneficial, and am going to try this method out this
semester.
Boice’s meditative smashing of romanticized manic and self-destructive methods of writing offers a solid argument for trying calmer ways to accomplish writing tasks. As dull as his opinion that “(w)e do our best problem solving in a state of mild happiness,” sounds, he might be right.
ReplyDeleteHe opines that writing is best accomplished when the writer approaches writing as a regular task to be done in consistent moderation. I interpreted his overall message as a challenge to common egotistical leanings of some writers who think that their literary greatness can only be put on the page when the finicky chords of inspiration and deadline coincide. I’ve been guilty of this line of thinking before, and also of being a lazy writer. Boise’s assertion that “passive waiting for motivation can be unreliable and unproductive,” rings true for me; his belief that “motivation and inspiration follow, not precede, the practice of regular, accumulated work,” makes sense, though it sounds passionless.
Like the writers in his workshop, I could feel myself resisting his practical advice. Still, he proposes solutions to being stuck that rely on self-motivation and discipline, not brilliance or a personal muse. That gives writers a greater sense of power and ownership over their writing that is lacking when one is in a block. Woo, practical liberation!
I did find myself thinking of applying these ideas to impatient undergraduates who come in for tutoring. They will not believe me, and they will think I’m uncool. I kind of wish that someone had explained this theory of writing in such practical terms when I was much younger, but I don’t think I would have believed them or had the discipline to try this method.
Re: Mel's comment (I really don't know how to work this blog)
DeleteI agree that stopping when on a role sounds almost dangerous. But maybe that's not trusting myself enough - if I can write cohesively today, can I not do the same tomorrow? Hypomania is a rush, but its aftermath is no fun. I'll try to "stop" this semester as well.
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