Jun 27·edited Jun 27Liked by SDG Morgan, Bandersnatch Books
I'm not sure what to call my writing. I see some Phaser and some Pantser. I'm definitely not a Plotter (though I wish that I was). I tend to put a lot of pressure on myself to be highly productive but I also want to write with great care and intention. It isn't humanly possible to be productive at the level to which I aspire and also write with great care and intention, however. I'm trying to identify writing rhythms in my life that feel sustainable and life-giving instead of succumbing to the urge to be endlessly productive.
Jun 27·edited Jun 27Liked by SDG Morgan, Bandersnatch Books
I love this!
I'm pretty goal-oriented, but first I have to want the objective deep down in my bones. Then, I write toward completion. I don't always love what I complete. Often I hate it. I have found that the reason behind the writing is what is life-giving and motivating for me. If I try to write for someone else's reason, it just doesn't work, and that's when shame creeps over me. Sometimes I don't have a clear desire, and try to substitute a vague one ...and I quickly lose steam. I'm still learning how to recognize (and wait for!) those deep down reasons. So what does this make me? Pursuer? Passion-driven?
I think I'm a Phaser (which is annoying for the reasons you mentioned, and others). But I accidentally selected Plodder in the poll. Not sure what constitutes a Plodder.
Phaser--I like that! That makes a lot of sense for how my writing works, too. I do need to work on the discipline part, though, and when I’m bursting with ideas, get them written down.
I think I am a phaser. I have limited “free” time and I like to use it multiple ways. I enjoy writing, but I also enjoy scrapbooking, crochet, needle-point, and card making. My reading life is non-negotiable and saves my sanity. As a full time homeschooling mom who travels much of the year, my schedule is all over the place. Sometimes I write regularly and other times I don’t for several months. Habit classes have done a great job helping me to prioritize new projects, but I tend to alternate those depending on what is going on at the moment.
I would say my writing style is tidal. The ocean of words is always there, writing will be enjoyable if I go to meet them at the beach. Sometimes the words are quiet and calming, a gentle constant lapping. Other times they're a torrent of power demanding to be released and threatening to drown me if I turn my back on them for a single second. It's always the same beach but it feels different depending on the time of day that I show up and how the tide is coming or going in the moment. I enjoy all of it but sometimes I come away refreshed and others battered. It can be nice to go with friends. Not just because of the fun you can have playing with words together but they can help pull you out the deep when the undertow is too much. Some stories come to me little by little and others drown me with details and plot points. The true mystery is that it's all the same ocean of words regardless of when I go to the beach.
I really like the freedom you describe in the Phaser. I think I’m a pot-stirrer. There’s a few pots simmering on the back of the stove that is my brain and when I come across the right idea, I toss it in the pot. I write everything except poems this way (poems just come first-line ready, waiting for me to chase the rest down with a pencil). The actual writing time (your phase of fall) is not so long or fast but it seems to me rather random, unless there’s a deadline for a paper for a class. The papers are written pretty fast, actually, read over once for grammar (if there’s time) and usually get an A. When I tried the whole edit and rewrite thing (in college) I got a C. So I called my writing style the back burner approach. Anyone else? It’s not exactly a Procrastinator or Phaser, but could be like both, right?
I am also something of a Phaser, as well as a Pantser.
And I am the sole caregiver of a broken down old man. Who is this old man? He is a me. I have been self caring for this broken down old man since I was a boy.
Yes. I was a broken down old man as a boy. Mostly mentally, thanks to my Autism and more Comorbidities than I could count or keep track of most of the time.
And yet I am still trying to hold onto my 50 to 60 hour per week job, primarily to maintain my sanity. So finding time to write is difficult. Finding the will to write is difficult. But I believe God has gifted me in this. And so I have to figure out how I will make it work.
I'm not sure what to call my writing. I see some Phaser and some Pantser. I'm definitely not a Plotter (though I wish that I was). I tend to put a lot of pressure on myself to be highly productive but I also want to write with great care and intention. It isn't humanly possible to be productive at the level to which I aspire and also write with great care and intention, however. I'm trying to identify writing rhythms in my life that feel sustainable and life-giving instead of succumbing to the urge to be endlessly productive.
Pasticher?
Hmmm… according to Merriam-Webster it’s “Pasticheur” 😁
I love this!
I'm pretty goal-oriented, but first I have to want the objective deep down in my bones. Then, I write toward completion. I don't always love what I complete. Often I hate it. I have found that the reason behind the writing is what is life-giving and motivating for me. If I try to write for someone else's reason, it just doesn't work, and that's when shame creeps over me. Sometimes I don't have a clear desire, and try to substitute a vague one ...and I quickly lose steam. I'm still learning how to recognize (and wait for!) those deep down reasons. So what does this make me? Pursuer? Passion-driven?
I relate to this so much, Reagan. Thanks for sharing your process.
Pursuer! I like that
I especially love how you recommend "acknowledging the kind of creativity you’ve been given." Acknowledgement is vastly helpful.
I think I'm a Phaser (which is annoying for the reasons you mentioned, and others). But I accidentally selected Plodder in the poll. Not sure what constitutes a Plodder.
Slow and steady accretion over decades, like Tolkien
Okay, I'm definitely a Phaser, then, lol.
Phaser--I like that! That makes a lot of sense for how my writing works, too. I do need to work on the discipline part, though, and when I’m bursting with ideas, get them written down.
I use my notes app on my phone A LOT
I think I am a phaser. I have limited “free” time and I like to use it multiple ways. I enjoy writing, but I also enjoy scrapbooking, crochet, needle-point, and card making. My reading life is non-negotiable and saves my sanity. As a full time homeschooling mom who travels much of the year, my schedule is all over the place. Sometimes I write regularly and other times I don’t for several months. Habit classes have done a great job helping me to prioritize new projects, but I tend to alternate those depending on what is going on at the moment.
I would say my writing style is tidal. The ocean of words is always there, writing will be enjoyable if I go to meet them at the beach. Sometimes the words are quiet and calming, a gentle constant lapping. Other times they're a torrent of power demanding to be released and threatening to drown me if I turn my back on them for a single second. It's always the same beach but it feels different depending on the time of day that I show up and how the tide is coming or going in the moment. I enjoy all of it but sometimes I come away refreshed and others battered. It can be nice to go with friends. Not just because of the fun you can have playing with words together but they can help pull you out the deep when the undertow is too much. Some stories come to me little by little and others drown me with details and plot points. The true mystery is that it's all the same ocean of words regardless of when I go to the beach.
I really like the freedom you describe in the Phaser. I think I’m a pot-stirrer. There’s a few pots simmering on the back of the stove that is my brain and when I come across the right idea, I toss it in the pot. I write everything except poems this way (poems just come first-line ready, waiting for me to chase the rest down with a pencil). The actual writing time (your phase of fall) is not so long or fast but it seems to me rather random, unless there’s a deadline for a paper for a class. The papers are written pretty fast, actually, read over once for grammar (if there’s time) and usually get an A. When I tried the whole edit and rewrite thing (in college) I got a C. So I called my writing style the back burner approach. Anyone else? It’s not exactly a Procrastinator or Phaser, but could be like both, right?
Thanks for writing this, Sam. I am still mulling over some of those things you said. I needed this.
I am also something of a Phaser, as well as a Pantser.
And I am the sole caregiver of a broken down old man. Who is this old man? He is a me. I have been self caring for this broken down old man since I was a boy.
Yes. I was a broken down old man as a boy. Mostly mentally, thanks to my Autism and more Comorbidities than I could count or keep track of most of the time.
And yet I am still trying to hold onto my 50 to 60 hour per week job, primarily to maintain my sanity. So finding time to write is difficult. Finding the will to write is difficult. But I believe God has gifted me in this. And so I have to figure out how I will make it work.