| In one of the exercises in my "Getting Started as | | | | skipping the process altogether? |
| a Freelance Writer" workshop, I ask participants | | | | The idea of being a published writer, or a |
| to describe what a "perfect day" would be like for | | | | six-figure income writer, is indeed glamorous. But |
| them. | | | | make no mistake--writing is hard work for most |
| The responses are frequently tender, wistful and | | | | of us. Rejections outpace acceptances, at least |
| unfailingly vivid. Those who've taken my course | | | | until we're very well established. Making a |
| write about waking up first thing in the morning, | | | | more-than-decent living from stringing words |
| refreshed and filled with anticipation for what their | | | | together takes extensive persistence, diligence, |
| "perfect day" holds in store. They paint lush and | | | | dedication and chutzpah. Moreover, you've got to |
| lovely surroundings with their words, serve up | | | | love doing it. |
| exquisite foods, and spend endearing or romantic | | | | I do a lot of writing during my vacations from my |
| time with loved ones. They describe feelings of | | | | day job. All of my "perfect days" include stints at |
| peace and deep contentment, so often lacking in | | | | the keyboard, or filling page after page in a paper |
| their day to day realities. | | | | notebook when I'm far from home. As a matter |
| But what invariably surprises me is that these | | | | of fact, I am on vacation as I write this. It's a |
| writers seldom include time to write in their | | | | stunning day outside, deliciously warm and |
| "perfect day" narratives. Nor do they mention | | | | gloriously sunny. I will venture out soon enough, to |
| that such a day would include the thrill of opening | | | | run errands and bask in the day's beauty. But |
| their mailboxes to find acceptance letters or | | | | right now, in front of my PC, I am perfectly |
| checks for something they've written. What I had | | | | content, my fingers clicking along the keys, |
| thought would be an exercise that would enable | | | | putting black words onto a white screen. |
| workshop participants to visualize writing as an | | | | Certainly my own perfect day scenario would |
| integral part of their lives, generally turns out to | | | | include a beautiful and peaceful setting, excellent |
| have nothing to do with writing whatsoever. | | | | cuisine, time with John and my family, and the |
| Not that I'm criticizing--there are no right or | | | | freedom and energy to volunteer my services to |
| wrong responses to these writing exercises. I | | | | a worthy cause. But I believe that a "perfect day" |
| simply wonder whether placing such a low | | | | for all writers must include writing. If it doesn't, |
| priority--or none at all--on writing as part of one's | | | | how could it ever be perfect? And even in an |
| "perfect day" is a reason for lack of writing | | | | imperfect world in an imperfect life, every day |
| success. In other words, do people truly dream of | | | | that I do at least a little bit of writing comes that |
| being writers, or simply dream of what writing | | | | much closer to perfection. |
| might bring them--fame, fortune, freedom--while | | | | |