The
idea is just to force your creative "juices" (brain juice, I guess...
or heart, if you're the spiritual type--either way you're gross, and perhaps
morbid) flowing. As Chuck puts it, "If you still hate writing, you're free
in an hour. But usually, by the time that alarm rings, you'll be so involved in
your work, enjoying it so much, you'll keep going."
(Quick
note for reference purposes: People have been doing it ever since egg timers
existed so far as I know, but Chuck Palahniuk may have been the first to write
an essay on the topic.)
It's
truly great, and it works for most people. However, I'd like to take the method
one step deeper with some analysis: why does it work?
Here
we get to the meat of those creative juices. Yum! Here we delve inside cavities
that reach--I'll stop there. Let's keep it metaphysical without metaphor, shall
we? Why do you love writing after an hour? Because starting is the hardest
part.
Some
people respond to a hard line. Others respond to gentle persuasion. For the
benefit of both parties, I'll write a section aimed at each.
Gentle
Persuasion Preferrers:
Writing
is your passion. If you've devoted this time, and more importantly this emotion
into writing by now, carry forwards. Sometimes writing seems hard, but let's
reflect on why that is. I'd bet if you're on this blog you care about the art. (If you're just curious about me, I'm flattered :)) (Doesn't that always make
the smiley face look like he has a double chin?) Sometimes the things we care
about the most are those we invest the most energy into. Loving takes time,
patience and commitment, and all of that is hard work. When we think about
sitting in the chair, especially if we aren't sure what to write, we're often
expending more energy than when we are whilst working. Reflect on your love. Writing is an expression of that emotion. Starting is hard.
:)
Hard
Line Likers:
What
would Samuel L. Jackson say? "**** ******* egg timers! Get yo' **** *** off
the ****ing couch and sit the **** down in front yo' god **** computer and get
to mother ****ing work *****!!!!!!" he'd say, trying to be as polite as he
knows how.
The
poor socially disabled man.... But he has a point. What the smeg are you trying
to do with your life? If you want to be a writer, listen to Samuel L. Jackson. Is you're butt telling you to stay in front of the
television? Kick your butt in the *** and get your *** to the keyboard.
:P
Back
to Normal:
Let's
stick to my old metaphor about islands and oceans (see "Follow the What!?"). Sometimes, no matter how
much you love writing, you're going to think, "Smeg! Wouldn't it be great
just to set down the oars and coast for awhile?" But you're spending
emotional energy while you coast, for the simple reason that you're not getting
anywhere. That's frustrating. That's exhausting. Soon, I'll devote a whole post
to Ray Bradbury's essay called "The Joy of Writing" in which he talks
(writes) about "zen and gusto".
It's
very important for the professional artist to let himself (ladies can be
artists, too, but I don't like slashes) enjoy his work. Again, the reason the
egg timer method works is far more important than the method itself. Sometimes
we invest so much hope, love, need (name an emotion) into a thing that the very
thought seems exhausting, but the fact is, we make that investment out of love. Let youself be in love with your work, turn those emotions into release, and
get yo' *** in the chair.
Writers
write. My attitude as a teacher is to use any method that helps, but only the
reasoning behind a method will help in the long term. The egg timer is a great
method. Just don't lose sight of why it works. What you're trying to do
ultimately is shift lethargy into gusto.
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