In a great commencement address Neil Gaiman gave (at The University of The Arts), he said, “There was a day when I looked up and realized that I had become someone who professionally replied to email, and who wrote as a hobby. I started answering fewer emails, and was relieved to find I was writing much more.”
I too have been doing too much other stuff, and losing track of the time I need to spend writing. So I’m turning my day upside down – actually returning it to what it used to be – writing first. Well, I’ll shower and dress and eat, meditate and do a little yoga. Then – I’ll write. No Facebook, no desk work, no whatever. Writing first. Push appointments to the afternoon, whenever possible. And write. Do other things when I need a break. And write.
Neil Gaiman said, “Make good art.” Whatever happens in your life, make good art. He says it much better, with absurd examples, but, basically, whatever life brings, make good art. For me, that means keep writing, through the endless interruptions. Keep writing.
I can’t claim to be making good art, as Neil Gaiman does, but I can try. I can write.
Maureen