Oh, yes. My wife and adult son still mock me for the scene in which I sat in my backyard, feet in a wading pool, computer on my lap, weeping in the afternoon sun as I wrote the final scene of my novel. It was undoubtedly a combo cry, encompassing the emotional release of finishing something that had taken me far too long to complete, together with the inevitable empathizing a writer feels with their characters, and in particular the fact that my central character resembles — a little, unavoidably — 9-year-old me. I endure the mockery good-naturedly. Crying while writing feels like proof that I'm doing something meaningful and true if it can stir up that kind of emotion in me.
This has totally happened to me while writing! But I'm also an actor, so I thought it was me being my over-invested, slightly-insane actor self. It's nice to know that this is a writer thing, too, and that perhaps it means something in the piece might be working!
Thanks for this. I just realised that I’m struggling with my current project because I’m not being honest enough. It’s not making me feel uncomfortable or sad, so it’s quite boring. Also, I frequently laugh at my own jokes when I’m writing.
This is such good timing. I was crying yesterday whilst writing my novel. I also started to feel down, because my character is down (I hope that's why...). In last night's Birkbeck class I was telling someone I felt inexplicably agitated - but this is a reminder it is all to do with my writing and, I too, am highly sensitive. It is making it quite hard to go back to it today though I must say, as I can't leave the mood at my desk or on the page - but I am finding this post encouraging and perfectly timed! x
Ugh I'm sorry it's been making you feel down. I hope it's cathartic in some way. Maybe if it's a long stretch of the novel that makes you feel very down, then that also might be a sign that it needs more moments of hope or lightness? Or maybe not! Really glad the post was encouraging anyway x
Thanks Hattie x I do also find the creative process as a whole an emotional experience, so could be that as well, together with the overarching theme of the book being grief, no doubt. In today's substack post I outline my HARDCORE November writing goals and link to this piece of yours :) Sending writing courage for the week ahead!
Oh, yes. My wife and adult son still mock me for the scene in which I sat in my backyard, feet in a wading pool, computer on my lap, weeping in the afternoon sun as I wrote the final scene of my novel. It was undoubtedly a combo cry, encompassing the emotional release of finishing something that had taken me far too long to complete, together with the inevitable empathizing a writer feels with their characters, and in particular the fact that my central character resembles — a little, unavoidably — 9-year-old me. I endure the mockery good-naturedly. Crying while writing feels like proof that I'm doing something meaningful and true if it can stir up that kind of emotion in me.
That sounds wonderful to me. I'm sure your wife and son were touched by it even while they were teasing you.
This has totally happened to me while writing! But I'm also an actor, so I thought it was me being my over-invested, slightly-insane actor self. It's nice to know that this is a writer thing, too, and that perhaps it means something in the piece might be working!
I really think it does.
Thanks for this. I just realised that I’m struggling with my current project because I’m not being honest enough. It’s not making me feel uncomfortable or sad, so it’s quite boring. Also, I frequently laugh at my own jokes when I’m writing.
Well it sounds like the jokes are on the right track anyway – and this could be a crucial realisation. It's all part of the process.
Or I just have an incredibly weird sense of humour.
This is such good timing. I was crying yesterday whilst writing my novel. I also started to feel down, because my character is down (I hope that's why...). In last night's Birkbeck class I was telling someone I felt inexplicably agitated - but this is a reminder it is all to do with my writing and, I too, am highly sensitive. It is making it quite hard to go back to it today though I must say, as I can't leave the mood at my desk or on the page - but I am finding this post encouraging and perfectly timed! x
Ugh I'm sorry it's been making you feel down. I hope it's cathartic in some way. Maybe if it's a long stretch of the novel that makes you feel very down, then that also might be a sign that it needs more moments of hope or lightness? Or maybe not! Really glad the post was encouraging anyway x
Thanks Hattie x I do also find the creative process as a whole an emotional experience, so could be that as well, together with the overarching theme of the book being grief, no doubt. In today's substack post I outline my HARDCORE November writing goals and link to this piece of yours :) Sending writing courage for the week ahead!
Looking forward to reading that. Writing courage to you too!
Humm I commented on another thread but it seems to have disappeared 👻
It hasn't disappeared, don't worry! I'm just about to reply :)