Writing Strugges

By Bonnie Harris

I think we all get to the point in our writing where we question why we're doing it. Or maybe we do that several times. So, what are the reasons we write? Here's what I came up with.

• We enjoy it.
• Writing helps us fulfill that creative side.
• We fall in love with our stories.
• We want to make a career out of it.
• We have a story to share.
• We have a story that just needs to be written down, whether or not it's published is a bonus.
• We enjoy the process.
• It makes us feel good about ourselves.

I'm sure there are countless other reasons one writes, and feel free to add ones I've missed. Once we've decided why we write, the next step is to figure out how far we want to take it. Do we want to get it publishes? Do we self publish or go the traditional route? Do we go through an agent or not? Small house publishing or large house publishing? Do I want to continue writing or a I satisfied with what I've done?

Again, I'm positive there are countless other questions that have crossed our minds. Now for the confession time. I'm struggling to figure out if this is the time for me to be writing. I know I want to. I know I'd eventually would like to become published, but the last couple of months have proven very difficult to find/make the time to write. It seems that every time I sit down in front of the computer during nap time, I fall asleep. (I blame the pregnancy for that one.) I have goals I know I should be able to meet but I haven't been meeting them. It seems like anytime I try to exchange babysitting it falls through, or something else comes up that has to get done. It just feels like the world is out to prevent me from doing my writing.

I know other people have come to the same crossroads that I am at right now, I just thought I already had things figured out. So I guess this is more of a pep talk for myself, but who knows? Maybe someone else is struggling with the same things. I just know that things will work out the way they are supposed to. Maybe at this very moment I'm not supposed to be writing and I shouldn't beat myself up for it. I just have to work through it and be ready when the time is right again. Or maybe I should be happy with the little I am getting done. Either way, I still enjoy writing and know that my goals will be met sometime. Happy Writing!