• Bio
  • Contact
  • Events and Resources
  • My Writing

Jessica Jonas

Jessica Jonas

Monthly Archives: January 2013

A New Relationship with Writing

16 Wednesday Jan 2013

Posted by jessicamjonas in Writing

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

making time to write, writing, writing life

Wow, what a winter break of revisions it’s been! I am proud to say I mostly stuck to the plan I made in December. Starting with an idea of what changes I wanted to make to a story helped keep me from getting (too) overwhelmed when I sat down to work–and I did sit down to work. Almost every day, sometimes for 5 minutes, sometimes for more than an hour. As a result, I’ve revised 6 of the 7 stories I plan to include in The Book and am considering adding an eighth to the collection, if I can get it done in time.

I’ve also been thinking about the fact that, more than in any other semester, this year’s break has been a sign for what Life After School might be like, writing on my own momentum, fueled by my own desire to put out the best stories I can. It’s changed my mind about my goals for writing this year.

It’s always mystified me to hear people talk of a deep “need” to write, as though their sanity hinges on it. You know that stereotypical artist’s parent who’s contemptuous of the child for not having a “real” career? That’s been me. I don’t like to admit writing can be fun, even when I do it in my spare time, even after I have a good session and my story’s all I can talk about for the next hour. It’s starting to seem ridiculous to keep this grudge against what I do around.

This year, instead of resolving to write every day, churn out a set number of stories, hit time or word goals, or meet similar numerical quotas, I want to accomplish something I imagine will be more rewarding and lasting: I want to take my relationship with writing to the next level. I pledge to do my best to remember that writing is fun and fulfilling, and to approach my laptop at the end of the day with a welcoming spirit. I promise to use quantifiable goals and quotas as tools to encourage me to write, not an end in and of themselves. Most importantly, I promise to keep going after my grad program is over, even if no one’s reading. Sooner or later, if I put joy and work into it, someone will.

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 355 other followers

The Latest

  • Prices to Pay
  • Why You Should Do NaNoWriMo This Year
  • Back in the US!
  • Hiatus
  • The Briefest of Check-Ins and Some Words About a Bride

Journal History

  • February 2015
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • January 2014
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010

Recurring Thoughts

abandoning perfectionism annoying art Banned Books Week birthday blogging book design books canary review class criticism D.C. elephants engagement epic bosshood essay fiction flash fiction flash friday goals grad school Hunger Games inspiration italo calvino jose saramago judaism lauren winner literature love magazine writing making time to write memoir mfa mudhouse sabbath nanowrimo niche markets nobel prize novel obama oddities oedipus paul guest pie poetry politics progress publishing quarterly review reading religion reports resolutions short stories sometimes goals are hard steps back steps forward submissions substance tanya egan gibson the apartment The Book the elephant's journey top-shelf totally boss wedding what I'm reading when the writing's going well when the writing isn't happening word count work working my butt off writer's block writing writing life YA

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy