During our author interviews, I interviewed Chip Stewart of the Schieffer School of Journalism. One of the things that Chip discussed I found to be a very important part of being a successful writer.
"When the light turns on, write like crazy."
Writers block is easily the most detrimental aspect of the writing process if you let it be that way. Writers block comes when you least except it, but can clog your thinking space up so much so that you feel like you'll never be able to get an effective point across. The thing about writers block (however chronic and restraining it may seem in the moment) is that it isn't forever. There's a gateway in the writing process -- that's when the light turns on.
Dr. Stewart said he spent a lot more time thinking about what he was going to write, doing research, and learning before he ever even wrote anything down. He called in "sporadic," "irrational," and "unorganized," but he was just waiting for the light. Which, isn't that what the writing process is all about?
I love it when the light turns on. When words just begin to coincide together and fall into place. Tweaks and edits are still definitely necessary, but there's a sense of liberation and freedom that comes the moment when it's just you and the pen, pushing into this creative sphere that no one can interfere with.
The funny thing about Dr. Stewart's comment is that when he said that, toward the end of the interview, I knew exactly what he meant. I knew that feeling. I spend so much time thinking about how I can put my thoughts and ideas into one piece and when I finally can feel it, it's like a homerun. It doesn't even matter what you're writing - that much is irrelevant. It's all about the light - grabbing it, running with it, not stopping until it's turned off again. It's a beautiful, beautiful process and one that I think can unite every writer to one another.
