The Reality of Writing: Two Hours a Day

The Writing Routine

I can only spend about two hours a day writing. Two glorious/embarrassingly dumb, caffeine-fueled/sleep-deprived hours where the words cascade/trickle onto the page. I feel accomplished, even if it's not a lot of wordage. But here's the kicker: when I come back to edit, it's just trash. It's like staring down upon my dogs when they are let out before bed. They look up and me and make eye contact as they squat. It's better not to think about it, but it's there, no matter what, and I've got to clean it up. And so does the draft. It just stares back, unblinking except for the cursor. The gaps, the inconsistencies, the plot holes — they're all there, waiting to be fixed.

The Editing Challenge

I've said it before and I'll say it again, editing is a whole different beast. It's one thing to write; it's another to polish those turds until they shine. And honestly, I can't imagine how any author could get everything right on the first go. Do they have superpowers? A magical muse? Or just a really good editor? It's probably the latter.

Embracing the Process

Writing is a journey, not a sprint. It takes time, patience, and a lot of writing. And rewriting. And rewriting. And rewriting. And rewriting. So, if you're like me, struggling to get it right, just remember: even the best stories need multiple drafts. Keep writing, keep editing, and most importantly, keep believing in your story.