My strategies for avoiding work are as follows:
1) People. Social interaction feels like important preparation for creativity--even Kafka had friends, right?--but when there's an assignment due, it's really just an avoidance tactic. Shouldn't the writer be a lone waif in some dark hovel dying romantically of consumption while trying to type out few last golden words?
2) Self-medication. The most gonzo I ever felt was when I, stoned out of my gourd, excused myself from a full-on party to go write an article about an extremely boring band I'd just interviewed. As people slipped into the room to watch, the writing of the article became an event. It's probably the last time I'll ever hear cheers as I polish off a conclusion. Of course, the only person who thinks people are better writers stoned is also stoned. The numerous spelling mistakes and grammar problems made my editor very sad the next day.
3) Cleaning. This is a good one. It appeals to my sense of responsibility. It also wreaks havoc on my sense of self as I'm not naturally prone to tidying--the vertigo can be inspiring. I'll write about it once I'm done vacuuming the closets.
4) Baking. See above with yummier consequences.
5) The Internet. quod erat demonstrandum.
Any thoughts people?
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I follow numbers 1 through 5 of your list in a very devoted and deluded fashion. I'm glad (and sad) to see that I'm not alone.
ReplyDeleteMy flashing red thought with regards to this is: RESISTANCE. It is a very unsupportive, malicious "friend" within us that keeps us from doing what we were put on this earth to do. Everything on this list has a time and place in our lives, but the question is ... where is the time and place for our writing? Commit people ... commit fiercely!