Writing is a bit like love.

During a recent text conversation, Linda (a new friend), said she was writing the first draft of a story. Naturally I asked her how it was going.  She said it was hard work. I told her that I think writing is like love…if it hurts, you’re doing it wrong.

I’m glad this was a text conversation, otherwise Linda (who doesn’t seem like a violent person) may’ve been tempted to clock me.

I really wasn’t trying to be annoying or patronizing and in the days following this conversation, I had cause to eat my words. I was editing the second draft of a non-fiction manuscript and I was feeling every single word. It was nothing short of a g-r-i-n-d.  I shared this information with Linda, she seemed pleased.

I’ve thought more about my assertion that writing is like love and have refined it a little. I now realise that (for me) writing the first draft is like love. Here’s how:

It demands courage, faith and willingness;
It requires great commitment;
It thrives on honesty;
You can’t force it or make it happen;
You can’t rush it – it takes time to fully develop;
It benefits from compassion and wisdom;
It’s powerful, energizing and uplifting;
It’s consuming and deeply satisfying;
It feels really good when you’re doing it right;
It makes your heart and soul sing;
Sometimes you need to step back to regain a healthy perspective;

So, that’s where I stand on the issue.  I wonder if I’ve left something off that list?