So last week, I gushed about the good things in writing. Today, I’m gonna gripe about the bad. Or at least the things I don’t like. ...

Three Not-So-Wonderful Things About Writing

Alexa Mintah

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So last week, I gushed about the good things in writing. Today, I’m gonna gripe about the bad. Or at least the things I don’t like.

1. Writing

Okay, so that’s not strictly true. Most of the time, I do like writing (I wouldn’t be a writer otherwise), but there are a lot of moments when I kinda hate it. For instance, when the infamous writer’s block strikes. For me, it’s rare that I actually can’t write; more often, I just don’t want to. Maybe there’s a book I wanna read, or a TV show I gotta watch, or maybe I just plain don’t feel like putting my butt in a chair and typing at a keyboard for any length of time.

Those are the days when I have to drag myself to my laptop (inwardly kicking and screaming) to get the job done. As my computer loads, I keep saying it over and over, “The hardest part is simply beginning.” Once I get started, the project’s not exactly smooth sailing, but at least it’s easier. Those first few moments, though, of slogging through, forcing myself to type one more word, that’s just torture.

2. Plotting

I’ve mentioned many times that I’m a pantser, but eventually, even we run out of things to ramble about, have to slam on the brakes, and figure out “Okay, what the heck is even going on here?” To be fair, plotting’s actually another thing that can be fun – when the ideas come quickly. Otherwise, you spend an hour staring at your screen, drool dribbling out your mouth, going “Uhhh...”

I mentioned last week that one of my favorite parts of writing is the not-knowing. And that’s still true today, but only when I’m confident the characters will tell me what happens next. When they suddenly stonewall me, my story screeches to a halt, and I feel like I’ve been tossed from the back of a moving car, well, that’s not really fun. Because then I have to stop, take the reins, and actually act like the author for once. Which is not always as enjoyable as you’d think.

3. Editing

I’m sorry, ya’ll, but editing sucks. I know I have to do it to make my story better, and having a good story is great and all, but I find it entirely unfair that I spend more time editing (which I pretty much despise under any circumstance) than I do actually writing (which, once I get passed my writer’s block, is actually a blast). Honestly, all us writers should call ourselves “editors” rather than “writers,” because we spend most of our time doing that anyway (the rest of it is split semi-equally between Pinterest, other “research,” and actual writing).

I really wish my stories would just come out perfect the first time, but I’m pretty sure that’s never gonna happen. *shrugs* A girl can hope, though.

And that’s it for today! I think what we’ve all gathered from this is that I am incredibly lazy and despise writing when it is actually work. Ah, well. I suppose that’s a part of my character God and I will have to work on.

What aspects of writing do you all hate? Leave a comment below and let me know!

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