Bernadette Benda

Should you treat writing like work? 

First, there are a few questions you need to answer: Do you want be published? Do you want to make a career out of writing? Is this your calling?

If you have answered yes to any of those questions (or all three), then yes, you should treat writing like work.

Now that may seem disappointing because, “Ew. work.”

“Work” has a bad reputation. It’s something we do because we have no choice. Because we have bills to pay and mouths to feed. It’s something boring that we do 9-5 just to get to the weekend.

So first off, we need to take that idea, crumple it up, and burn it in the inferno. 

Work is a good thing. Not only is it necessary for survival, but it is beneficial to us as humans. We like work, believe it not. Every enjoy cleaning? Cooking? Gardening? Running a garage sale? Setting up a PowerPoint? Performing in a show? Driving?

All those things are work. Work is good, and work can be enjoyable. (Given that the boring 9-5 is a real thing.)

Now that we have established that work is good, let’s talk about why you should make writing work. 

Work means you have to do it whether you feel like it or not. That means you have to write whether you feel like it or not. That means taking “only write when you are inspired” out to curb and throwing it in the trash. 

You have to work, right? So, now you have to write. You can set aside time without guilt. Whether that means going to the coffee shop, locking yourself in your office for a few hours, or skipping out on a party, you can do that now because you have to work. Making writing work means that it becomes a priority. 

Because you are no longer waiting for inspiration, and you are making writing a priority, you’ll get stuff done, and that feels awesome.

You are that much closer to being a full time writer (or getting published or whatever your goal is).

Let’s talk! 

How do you prioritize your writing? What are your goals??

Header Photo by Scott Webb on Unsplash