Thursday, July 15, 2010

Crap and Burning Keys



You know when some people experience crap, they go straight to the cookie jar? Well, I experienced some crap today.

Nothing serious, mind you... no one died, my husband is still employed, kids are all healthy. But it was crap none the less, the kind that makes you sick to your stomach, where you stare off into space and dwell on, well, the crap.

Here's the whole reason for this post. Did my crap make me run to the cookie jar? Despite the fact that it was empty, no. I didn't devour ice cream sandwiches, either, or binge on gummy bears. I found a different (thankfully fat free) outlet.

MY WRITING!

It was like one of those psychological breakthroughs you hear about. I...

sat down...

opened a manuscript...

and put words down on paper.

It was like eating something that made me sick, really sick, and then vomiting it all back up. I felt BETTER! And seriously, there was no vomit involved.

What compels you to run to the computer and type so fast your fingers run the risk of lighting the keys on fire?

30 comments:

Anne Gallagher said...

Don't get me wrong, I love my daughter with my whole being but when she's not around I can write like a crazy woman. Which is why I now let her sleep as long as she wants. She's five, 'nuff said.

Candyland said...

Pain, anger, loneliness. Yeah, it sounds like a downer, but it's the biggest thing that drives me to do it-write.

Carolina M. Valdez Schneider said...

Same for me! Stress makes me itch to write. It's like medicine, I think.

Jennifer said...

Bad things and craptastic troubles don't run me to the computer. It's the opposite, actually--when I'm in a funk, I find that I really can't write. What drives me to the keyboard is being in a good mood (or at least not being in a bad mood). I write so much and so often that pretty much everything can drive me to the keyboard as long as I'm not currently cursing the world.

S.A. Larsenッ said...

Desire to complete my work and attain my goals. Also, writing is a getaway for me. Living with four kids, getaways are necessary. LOL

Krista said...

Escape escape escape. More recently, from the teens. Love 'em, but they can really drive me to the keyboard.

Matthew MacNish said...

Mostly when I'm half way tipsy I think I'm a genius and I run to the keyboard to pound out beautiful prose ... then I have to fix most of it later.

Shitty things happening in my life do not drive me to writing unfortunately but it sounds awesome that they do for you Bethany, what a great way to put a positive spin on something!

Caleb said...

I commented on an earlier post you sisters did on 'Why do you write?' that I write for catharsis, so I know exactly how you feel. I set the keys ablaze by getting out my inner demons. My poor protagonist is a disaster.
I have also found that when I pause in my writing, or get writer's block, if I am open to everything around me, the good and the bad, I will come back with something to write.
This is the beautiful thing about writing- being open to experience, then translating to the page .

Hermana Maw said...

Sorry you had a down day, but your post was great. It made me smile and want to type away at my computer so all the nasties in me would leave--with any vomit involved.

JEM said...

I feel just like you! Whenever I feel like the world is bringing me down, I take it up with the keyboard to prove that I have a talent worth nurturing. Sorry somebody left a flaming bag of dog poo on the front porch of your day:(.

Steena Holmes said...

Right now I'm going to say excitement. When I'm happy and excited ... all i want to do is write. That's it.

JoLynne Lyon said...

Garrison Keillor said no experience is wasted if it gives you "material." I write when I'm happy and when I'm dealing with crap. The stuff I write during crappy times all comes out dark, and the flow is much better when I'm happy.

Conda Douglas said...

Funny--I write mysteries and sometimes I "kill" family members! And sometimes I'll be struggling with a writing problem and it suddenly works out--to the keyboard!

Aubrie said...

That is so wonderful that you can use your writing to deal with the crap. I need to see if I can do the same.

Liza said...

Yup, I write a lot of the rough stuff out...and it helps so much. I wonder though, how it would be if I kept the cookie jar full...

G. B. Miller said...

Interesting post.

Not sure what makes me run screaming towards the computer and pound away like there's no tomorrow.

I certain was like that when I was writing my last book. It wasn't any one thing that got me writing virtually non-stop for two months, but more like just a feeling that no matter what, I had to write something in order to finish that book.

Interestingly enough, it originated from a short story that quietly blew up the further along I went.

Jemi Fraser said...

So sorry you had to deal with all that crap! Hopefully things are looking up soon!

I tend to run to the computer as soon as I'm alone. It doesn't happen often, so it's usually with a sense of joy.

Shannon O'Donnell said...

New and exciting ideas!! :-)

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

Two nights ago I couldn't sleep. The hubby had a big meeting the next day, so I went to the guest bedroom to read (The Book Theif). I read for an hour and then dozed off. A couple hours later I woke up, grabbed pencil and paper. I'd been searching for a better title for a pb I had written.

Stina said...

For no other reason other than I can't survive for long without writing. It's like a drug. I miss my characters, and I want to spend more time with them. Or I get an idea and can't wait to see if it'll work.

Jennie Englund said...

Both inspiration and fear dive me to write. There's either a story in my heart that I just have to get out, or I force myself to come up with something so my brain doesn't shrink.

And too much mocha. Too much mocha definitely drives me to write.

Bethany Wiggins said...

You guys are the best. And LOL, Jennie... too much mocha? You're hilarious! Funny how most writers seem to be addicted to it. Glad to know I am not the only one.

Unknown said...

Boy, does this sound familiar! Writing is my catharsis of choice, without question. When I'm not writing, I'm much more likely work out negative emotions in far less positive ways. When I'm writing, everyone around me is much happier as well!

Emma Michaels said...

Writing is definitely my way if dealing with emotions too. I saw that you are a part of the Debut Author Challenge! That is so amazing that you are supporting debut authors and I only recently found out that I am going to be one!!! I wanted to ask if you wouldn’t mind heading over to my blog and giving me your opinion. As a blogger turned author I would really appreciate it and the publisher is still giving out ARCs so you might have a chance at a free copy! Thank you and I hope you will stop by and check out The Thirteenth Chime!

Sincerely,
Emma Michaels
http://EmmaMichaels.Blogspot.com

P.S.- My release date if Friday the 13th (August this year) isn't that crazy?

Kerri said...

what a good way to get over that crap!? so better you feel better now-

Rachel said...

Really irritating experiences always help me write. Although I worry that I end up sounding really angry and bitter on my blog (which I don't *think* I am.) Thanks for this piece.

Unknown said...

For me, it's dreams and songs that sparks a certain memory or feeling. When I'm stressed, I have to force myself to write.

Sorry for all the crap. :( Hope it leaves quickly.

Anonymous said...

When I'm having a rushed day, I write fast.

On a slow day, when I have time off, I'm sluggish.

Gail said...

Sometimes it's a self-imposed time deadline that puts me in a frenzied writing phase. Sometimes, it's avoidance of something else, like housecleaning!!! Mostly it's desire to get what's in my brain down on paper before it goes away!!!

Are you going to SCBWI-LA?

Margo Berendsen said...

What a good idea! Going to try to keep this one in mind next time i have a black day. usually writing is the furthest from my mind (I totally relate to the impulse to raid the cookie jar.. or the vending machine at work).