Our Endless and Proper Work

Our Endless and Proper Work: Starting (and Sticking to) Your Writing Practice by Ron Hogan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was not as structured as I thought it might be. It was more like a conversation with someone who has some success in writing and publishing. Still, it did have some good motivation, if only to remind you why you are writing in the first place.

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I’m saying that you’re creating a space in your life where insight is attainable, but more importantly where you can become the person who is capable of recognizing those insights, then acting upon them.

Pay attention to what happens around you, for sure, but also pay attention to what it stirs within you, because that’s where you will find yourself. And if you’re having trouble finding yourself, give some thought to how and where you’re looking, and don’t be afraid of changing one or the other . . . or both.

How are you wasting time and energy that could be better applied toward your writing—and what prevents you from abandoning those wasteful practices?

Listen: You’re a smart, creative person, and, deep down, you know what your imagination needs in order to flourish. You need to commit yourself to creating a life that enables you to surround yourself with that nourishment—but, also, don’t simply surround yourself with it, feed yourself. All the inspirational books, all the supportive relationships . . . none of that will do you any good if you keep all your potential bottled up.

You need to believe, deep down, that you can do it, then you need to give yourself permission to do it—and that involves clearing space and time in your life to devote to your writing practice, because it is a thing that matters.

“The higher the level of suffering, the more it seems we are willing to open up and offer the true versions of ourselves.”