As a writer I must admit I have found that my life and writing goes through various phases all the time. My life is either stable or changing continuously. Because I tend to be a little obsessive compulsive, ever changing circumstances and surprises and things like that are my personal idea of hell. I can do repetitive things over and over and life is fine. Change something and my day or life is ruined. I don't know why I am like that. I just am. When it comes to my moods, I am either in my content phase or my tortured phase, most days I am in my tortured phase, as that is just how I am. I am not an overly happy person, but I am not the kind of person to be mean or rude to someone else unless you did something to offend or upset me. I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt at our first encounters. Offend me or be rude and your chance is out the window.
I am also more in the reading phase than the writing one. I am totally loving Janet Evanovich's writing and wishing that I could have her brain. To think, I would never have read any of her work if my sister had not bullied me into reading her books. I had been sure that I would not like her work and I now love it. So, I was wrong and Janet Evanovich rocks! I am obsessed with the Stephanie Plum novels and finding myself wishing that her leading men existed in real life, because they sound so sexy and I want someone like Morelli or Ranger for myself. Yum!
I think that it is great that I at least understand myself and my phases, unfortunately, most people don't get me. My mother is always asking me why I can't be more like the other women my age and I just shrug my shoulders. Apparently I look like the sweet and innocent girl that never does anything wrong. Unfortunately, I don't see myself like that, I don't think like that at all and most importantly, my personality could not be further from that stereotype either. I like wearing black, I love wearing biker boots with studs and buckles, I love tattoos, even though I only have one and rock music speaks to my soul.
What are your phases like? Do you have any?
And where would the fun be in being like other women of your age? I've been in a bit of a rock chick phase for the past couple of years - making the most of it before it looks too stupid ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt's great that you know your phases and you've worked out how to work them.
ReplyDeleteYou should always be yourself. Trying to be something you're not would just be awful.
I have a lot of ups and downs. I try for ups, but it doesn't always happen.
ReplyDeleteI'm a Stephanie Plum fan, too, though I like the earlier books much more than the later ones.
One thing i've learned in life to this point: never allow yourself to believe that the way you currently are is the way you will always be. Whether it's biker boots or writing habits, the one thing that is constant is change. It almost never looks the way we think it will or happens in the timeline or order we expect(stereotypes and whatnot), but it does happen. Hopefully, for the better.
ReplyDeleteAt least you are aware of your phases and have some idea about how to get through the rough ones. I have mad-cannot stop writing phases as well as writing slumps. It's sort of like for writing I am bi-polar. I'm either on or I am off and there is no in between. I know that everyone says that on the days when you don't feel like writing, that if you just give it fifteen minutes, you won't want to stop. Not so for me. I either want to write (in which case I don't want to stop) or I just don't have it in me at all. It's not dependent on my mood, either. I can feel like writing (or not writing) when I am happy or depressed. I can't explain it, I don't know what ignites me or what deflates me. Thankfully, I feel like writing more often than I don't.
ReplyDeleteBe thankful that you enjoy reading while you take a mini vacation from your writing. For me, I always feel recharged after a break and am more productive. Hang in there. Hope you feel better soon.
I tend to be all or nothing. I'll jump in with lots of drive and then I'll back away and I do it over and over lol.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't know where to start being like other people, and to be honest I wouldn't want to be. As long as you're comfortable in your own skin, that's the best place to be. Other women might be looking at you and wishing they were more like you!
ReplyDeleteI definitely have phases! It used to be all or nothing for me, but lately I've been pushing myself into still doing something during the 'nothing' phase, and I'm able to have some production.
ReplyDeleteBut, if the muse is not awake, the muse is not awake :)
Be true to yourself. That's the most important thing.
ReplyDeleteAlso, try not to be too hard on yourself.
Writer In Transit
Linda - I agree with you. In a few years I might look a bit crazy. Thank you for the kind words.
ReplyDeleteJai - Thank you! I think you are so right and so smart.
M.J. - That is great to know. I am turning into a serious Plum fan. I try for the ups too. My ups just never looks like that of others.
Beverly - Thank you. I guess I have a few more changes in my future.
Melissa - Thank you for your kind words. It is funny how we can want to write one moment and not the other. I am happy to know that you have writing phases too and that I am not alone out on the limb.
Sarah - All or nothing sounds good. At least you are brilliant enough to be able to walk away. I should still master that. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me.
Annalisa - Thank you! Your words are so true and so kind. Being comfortable in one's skin is so important.
Katie - I agree! I am happy to know you have phases! For a while I thought I was just being weird. At least you make yourself be productive, which is great. I am really trying, but the enthusiasm is just not there.
Michelle - Thank you! I will try my best. I think staying true to myself is always hard, but it is one of the few things that I always stick to no matter what.
phases just come and go..
ReplyDeletemany times they are in multiple layers.. superimposed one over another... and definitely it reflects in our writing too.
Jyoti - That is so true! It is funny how it sneaks into our writing.
ReplyDelete