As Writers We Need To Crack Open

There's An Old Adage In Writing: 'don't Tell, But Show.' Writing Is Not Psychology. We Do Not Talk 'about' Feelings. Instead The Writer Feels And Through Her Words Awakens Those Feelings In The Reader. The Writer Takes The Reader's Hand And Guides Him Through The Valley Of Sorrow And Joy Without Ever Having To Mention Those Words.

Sometimes When You Think You Are Done, It Is Just The Edge Of Beginning. Probably That's Why We Decide We're Done. It's Getting Too Scary. We Are Touching Down Onto Something Real. It Is Beyond The Point When You Think You Are Done That Often Something Strong Comes Out.

It Used To Be With Chocolate. I Would Put Chocolate In My Studio And Say, "you Know, Nat, There's This Chocolate You Can Have If You Get Over There." And Usually If I Got Over There, I Would Start Writing. Sometimes I Need Get Out Of The House And Go To A Café And Write. Sometimes I'll Write With Other Friends To Get Myself Going. And Sometimes I Just Say "ok, Nat, Enough. Go One Hour. Keep Your Hand Going." I'll Do Whatever It Takes.

I Hear People Say They're Going To Write. I Ask, When? They Give Me Vague Statements. Indefinite Plans Get Dubious Results. When We're Concrete About Our Writing Time, It Alleviates That Thin Constant Feeling Of Anxiety That Writers Have - We're Barbecuing Hot Dogs, Riding A Bike, Sailing Out In The Bay, Shopping For Shoes, Even Helping A Sick Friend, But Somewhere Nervously At The Periphery Of Our Perception We Know We Belong Somewhere Else - At Our Desk!

If You Love The Work, It Will Love You Back.