Indescribable joy I experience, when writing.
backstory: I join the chorus of many writers who sing, “Writing makes me happy. When I write, it feels like I’m doing what I was born to do.” It’s truly a joy to return to some of the work I haven’t touched for a long time. I feel energized and motivated as I rework these drafts. One day, they’ll be free from the shackles of my infamous Unpublished Work folder.
I’ve also been getting some nudging from unrelated sources. For example, I was recently listening to a TV interview with a Finnish writer, who has written and published quite a lot of books. When she said, “A writer’s job is to write books and publish them…” a penny dropped. It was as if I was hearing this for the first time.
You also probably know by now that I can be my own worst critic. I’ve written about this here, for instance. That’s why I found this episode, A Writer’s Guide To The End of Self-Doubt, on Joanna Penn’s podcast with William Kenower so encouraging. Penn’s podcast, by the way, is my other go-to resource. If you are writer, check it out!
But enough about me. What gives you immense joy? It doesn’t have to be about writing or creating but life, in general. 🙂
Oh, you’re definitely ready to go through The Artist’s Way. I’m convinced now.
To answer your question, writing. I mean what else is there? Just kidding, kind of. Doing exactly what I want to do on any given day brings me immense joy <3
Writing gives me joy – is the simplest and deepest we can say, those of us who resonate 🙂 Your reminder of what a writer’s job is – I am watching myself still only half hearing it, while as if I pretend to be a writer on this blog, I feel like I have not yet begun my work as a writer, while yet continuing to write …hoping I make sense, as I let my fingers fly in response to your post 🙂
Lol! We are both convinced.:D I’ve already added the book to my Audible Wishlist. I’ll certainly will be reading it but perhaps not soon as I’ve paused my Audible. Because I’m now in what I call my “growing” season, a tendering of planted ideas and making sure they survive the winter. 🙂 This means I’m consuming less content, and producing more instead.
But yeah, “Doing exactly what I want to do on any given day” is the ultimate joy, isn’t it! Kudos to you, and protect your writing joy ! <3
I love that you also see writing as the simplest and deepest we can say. But, but don’t shortchange yourself, writing a blog is writing. Because you follow the same process involved in writing and publishing a book, perhaps to a lesser extent. 🙂 And thank you so much for let your fingers fly in response to this post. Much appreciated! <3
Funny, you asked not simply what gives you joy, but what gives you immense joy…a decidedly different flavor! I’ll answer it with a word of wisdom from my baby bro whenever he sees me straying (and feeling low as a consequence) from my music: “Do that which feeds your soul”
Music IS my soul.
🙂
I’m with you, kegarland. Winter is one of the best times to go through the AW…so Khaya, at least consider its call to you at this time! (nudge-nudge) 🙂
You know that feeling when someone sees right through your poem and says the exact thing that you didn’t know you wrote the poem for… that.
Khaya, aren’t us writers a hopeless lot?! 😀 It takes time to turn off that critic and learn to critically and objectively anaylse one’s work without that inner voice of doubt. I totally agree that writing a blog is still writing and for me it’s been the impetus to keep going, giving me new ideas from friends here. Writing wise I thrive on writing itself but wow, the thrill of holding one’s book in the hands is incredible! Nature wise I love to swim in a small rock pool in the midst of a Swedish forest, far away from it all! Maybe this year …
“Do that which feeds your soul.” Powerful! Your baby bro is wise, indeed. And I can’t wait to listen to your soul. 🙂 And oh, the word “joy” can sound cliche. So, I had to add immense for effect. 😀
OK, now I’m seriously considering the book. You and Kathy obviously have witnessed its benefits, first hand. Luckily, winter here is quite lo-o-ng! 😀
I once read somewhere (I can’t remember now) that writing is both concealing and revealing. At times, I’ve had that same feeling too of someone seeing right through my poems, when I can’t even tell myself why I wrote them. It’s curious thing, isn’t it! But greatly rewarding, nonetheless.
We are indeed, a hopeless bunch at times! 🙂 And writing itself can feel hopeless, most of the time for me. To chain that inner critic to the railings, I lean to absurdity. I mean preposterous in capital letters.:D Because by then I have nothing to lose.
Yes, without a doubt, blogging is writing. Like you I enjoy blogging. It might seem like a marathon, whose rewards are not immediately visible. But I found interactions and conversations here much more meaningful.
I can relate to the thrill of witnessing the outcome of one’s writing efforts. Holding own book in your hands is a surreal feeling to be cherished, and remembered when slogging on the next. 🙂
Hopefully, you’ll get swim in the midst of a Swedish forest, this year. That’s another different kind of joy. Thanks always for reading, Annika!
:)))
This is such an uplifting post, Khaya. Here’s to joy! And to your future as a published author.
Stitching brings me joy.
I feel immense joy at seeing someone I have helped, human or animal or plant, thrive. It is the joy of giving and seeing the energy grow.
I really love being creative, Khaya. My only complaint about writing is that it’s so time-consuming. It limits my ability to be creative in other ways. Enjoy your passion, my friend. Life is too short!