Many, many years ago I accepted a challenge. Call it a dare, call it a bribe, whatever.
I had this thing for paper and notebooks. No, actually I think this was the accordion situation.
I wanted my Dad's accordion, and he said I could have it if I stopped writing for one month.
Simple enough. I put down the pens and paper and walked away.
For about four hours. I started getting antsy after one day, and by two I was reaching for my addiction every time I had a spare moment. But I wanted the accordion! So I endured. I put away the pens and paper, didn't even cheat at school (which was a real uphill battle) and I made it.
One month without writing!
It was literally hell. Writing is an addiction. By the end of the month I was miserable and angry and taking it out on everyone around me. I had the shakes, I couldn't eat or sleep with all these characters running through my head screaming at me to tell their stories.
At the end of the month (to the hour) I sat down and started writing again. I've never again agreed to give it up, no matter what the incentive. I'm an addict. I admit that. But there are worse things to be addicted to.
Why would your dad WANT you to stop writing? I think my mom was relieved when I stopped saying I was bored. I've gone long stretches without writing, but that started with a nosy boyfriend who couldn't understand I wasn't ready to share. I am now well and truly addicted though.
ReplyDeleteAs I remember, he thought I was spending too much time writing and not enough with friends or whatever.
DeleteThere are much worse things to be addicted to!
Great post! I trick myself into writing when I'm having a lull by not allowing myself to write for a week. I start going crazy and I'll need to write. It cures my writer's block.
ReplyDeleteAddictions aren't a problem unless they hurt your relationships and impede growth. So writing is one addiction that you can afford to have :)
I agree 100%!
DeleteI do the same thing, as far as not writing for a week, but I consider that my recharge period. If I don't recharge, I can't write as effectively.
What an odd thing for your father to ask you to give up! I assume you did get the accordion? Don't blame you for not agreeing to that arrangement again.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it? I think it was probably an "I don't want to give you my accordion so I'll give you something I don't think you can do" agreement. I haven't ever tried to stop writing since then.
DeleteInteresting incentive. Meeting the challenge is commendable. Sounds like it left you knowing how much writing meant to you though.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. I have other addictions, but giving them up when necessary has been relatively simple.
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