Saturday, December 8, 2012

Does writing affect your mood - or does your mood affect your writing?


Or maybe both? 
 
As I was reading through various blog entries over the last week it struck me, plain and simple, that we as writers become either gloriously miserable or inexplicably chipper as we write, re-write, or try to fit writing into our lives, already crammed to the brim.
 
I am, as many of you know, always suffering, not so much during writing but rather trying to find the energy and time to write, at times almost dreading it.  The anguish the process causes for me inevitably spreads through my mind as I put thoughts to paper, affecting what I say and how I say it.  A chapter a month is a miracle.
 
Then there are those writers who can write a novel in a month, full of energy and optimism, seemingly without effort.  Is it their positive attitude that turns the pages out or do the words create their sunshine?
 
Which one are you?  Is there a group I am missing? What is the biggest impediment to your happy writing?

15 comments:

  1. Excellent question! I know that I get frustrated a lot with my writing or finding the time to write, but when I'm writing I get a sense of accomplishment and find pleasure in the act of creating. I guess for me it's always an emotional roller coaster ride.

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    1. Thank you Lara - I am glad I am not the only one :-)

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  2. Unless I'm really tired, my mood often affects my writing. Sometimes in a good way, sometimes in a bad way. Other times my writing will affect my mood - like when I get stuck and can't get past a certain plot point, I'll get frustrated and in return drive to the nearby gas station and buy a bunch of chocolate. haha It's a roller coaster for me, too.

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    1. A bunch of chocolates - I like that! Definitely solves a lot of problems :-)

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  3. BOTH.

    The LAST part of my books that I write is that darkest part just before the end. I get right to that part and skip over it to write the end.
    I'm generally grouchy for a couple days, or weepy, or... You get the idea. But it's HARD on me when my people go through hard things.
    In Knee Deep, a high school girl was abused by her boyfriend and I was jumpy for weeks...
    I think it helps my books, but I do find that I have to take time away from writing things that hit too deep once in a while.

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  4. E.D. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I am your newest follwer, and I invite you to join my blog as well.

    Once I started to write without money on my mind, I freed myself from all pressure. I write to my hearts content for writing sake alone. It is now a passion.

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    1. You are right - not thinking about publishing or making a living writing (which I do not at all) helps take the pressure off and improves my mood about writing....

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  5. Yes! Mood can affect writing and vice versa. Some days I can write like a mad woman. Others I feel like I'm barely getting words out. This is completely normal. On days I'm struggling, I read or try to write something different.

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  6. Time is my biggest enemy but mood comes into it too! Usually once I settle down and actually get some words on paper I feel much better and enthusiasm returns in spades!!

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    1. I am with you about time - and lack thereof makes my mood worse as it makes writing harder!

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  7. I believe your mood does have an impact on your writing. Even my reading is affected by it. To addl to that list would be what’s going on in my life, like when I have a lot going on, as well as if I’m feeling under the weather. I’ve also noticed if I go too long without writing, it affects my mood in a negative way. Must be a writer’s thing.

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  8. I get easily distracted, but on that note I think I'll wish you a Happy New Year.

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  9. My mood definitely affects my writing! Unfortunately. :( Hope all is well!

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