Author Versus Writing

I can hardly believe that Valentines Day is just around the corner. I'm sure that many of you will soon be buying your special Valentine flowers, cards, and candy. Perhaps now is a good time to start renewing your relationship with each other, especially if you've had a few rough patches with this person lately. Or maybe it's a good time to renew the relationship you have with writing.

Of course, I'm not married, nor am I considering getting married in the near future. But recently I've noticed many couples who are one day in love with each other, the next day at odds with each other, almost to the point of giving up.

Writing is very much the same. It's a love/hate relationship. One day you could be in love with the art of writing, the next day you're completely at odds with it and don't even want to think about facing your manuscript. Things just don't seem to be going the way you first thought they would. What are a few "therapy exercises" that can make the relationship strong again?

1. Go back to the time you fell in love. Why did you first decide to get "in a relationship" with writing? What attracted you and made the "sparks first fly" - was it the fact that writing allows you to create different worlds, or maybe because you're able to make up stories that brings God glory?
2. Focus on the positive, not the negative. Sure, writing may take up huge chunks of time in your schedule, and you may have to work extremely hard for a long period of time before finally receiving your first small paycheck. And if you aren't willing to pursue writing wholeheartedly, then maybe your lack of dedication is enough to cause you to change your mind. But if you only concentrate on the positive - likewise with the positive in people, you'll find that the good things completely outweigh the bad things.
3. Take a break from each other every now and then,

especially when things start getting tough. Usually when you take a short break from each other, you'll be energized, refreshed and ready to move ahead in the relationship once you get back together again.

Go on dates.

Obviously this is impossible, considering writing is not a person. But what I mean is, take your inner-artist out on dates. You could do this while taking a break from writing. Visit places that inspire you, watch inspiring movies, etc. Click here to learn more.

Last but not least, keep God first in the relationship and do not give up.

Sure, every relationship will go through it's highs and lows. But it can usually work out, as long as God is completely in the center. Don't give up on writing just because it becomes frustrating every now and then.

“I write when the fear of not writing overcomes my fear of writing.”

~Unknown

A couple may go through a time when they completely cannot stand each other - but that doesn't mean they don't still love each other. And when the fear of not writing overcomes the frustration that comes from being together, that's when you should write.

~~~

Does it often seem as if writing is a love/hate relationship for you?

Has there ever been a time when you felt as if you should just give up on the whole thing completely, it just wasn't worth it to you anymore? What are some other ways you try to ignore the negative and stick with the positive?