The Writing Habit

When it comes to writing, I am not the most disciplined person in the world. Procrastination, or waiting for the muse (there isn’t much difference between the two), is my forte. There is always some reason to put off writing.

When I tried to write at night after working a job all day, my excuses were I’m too tired; I’m mentally drained; there’s no inspiration; there’s a ball game, TV show, movie I want to watch; there’s a book I’d rather be reading. The best one, because it sounded so noble and self-sacrificing, was I want to spend time with my wife.

Writing is a profession that requires, above all else, self-discipline. No one can put my butt in the chair except me and I’m the only one who can keep it there. It takes self discipline to recognize that I need to receive correction, I need to develop my craft. Writing doesn’t magically happen. Even writing in answer to the Father’s call takes time and effort. I’d love to disconnect my brain and let Him direct my fingers but it doesn’t work that way.

He called me to write. He didn’t say He would write it for me. It’s up to me to put the inspired ideas into physical form on the paper/screen.

It’s up to me to keep in mind that if it works, He gets the credit and the glory. If it doesn’t work, it’s me. I missed it somewhere.