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Those are four things that it takes to be a successful writer: passion, creativity, inspiration, and discipline.
I can see you nodding your head until you come to that last word—discipline.
It’s easy to understand the role that passion, creativity, and inspiration play in writing. If you’ve had a blog for any length of time, you’ve probably already experienced a creative streak when it seemed that you couldn’t type fast enough to express the thoughts that you wanted to write about.
I think everyone would agree that when you feel inspired you definitely need to take advantage of that feeling and write as much as you can. Your readers can often tell whether you are passionate about a subject and will respond accordingly.
But, what about those times when you don’t feel particularly passionate about your subject or even very inspired?
That’s where discipline comes in.
The mistake that a lot of would be writers make is that they stop writing when they don’t feel inspired and wait for the passion to come back.
Guess what? Sometimes what the writer mistook for passion was actually excitement about the novelty of writing and publishing something online. Once that novelty wears off, these writers stop writing altogether. That’s one reason (although not the only reason) why there are a lot of abandoned blogs out there.
A disciplined writer, on the other hand, will keep writing. They are committed to producing something regardless of how they feel and that commitment is the true definition of being passionate about writing.
I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve started a writing project despite the fact that I didn’t feel much like doing it at the time I started. Regardless of I how I feel, I make myself sketch out a few ideas and I start to put something together.
By doing this, I’ve noticed a curious fact. Often, although I wasn’t excited about the project when I started, I find myself growing more excited as the project starts to materialize. Suddenly, there is inspiration where once there was none. Creativity flourishes where once I felt dry. At the end, I frequently find that I have a result that I’m really passionate about.
That’s why I’ve found the discipline of a writing schedule to be helpful. I have set working hours, and while they can be flexible for true emergencies, I generally try to adhere to them as much as possible.
My writing definitely benefits from the discipline of writing regularly.
Have you noticed a connection between writing passion and writing discipline? Share your thoughts.
13 responses so far ↓
1 Tara // Sep 22, 2010 at
When you write to pay the bills, a schedule is essential!
And you’re right about the process, about a project that we wish we could run from becoming imbued with passion once we start.
Tara
2 Laura Spencer // Sep 23, 2010 at
Hi Tara!
Sometimes looking at the outstanding bills is exactly what I need to become inspired, LOL!
I think too many writers expect passion to start spontaneously, but it often doesn’t work that way.
3 Johnny // Sep 23, 2010 at
Since I’m not a writer by trade, when I get caught up with my work, that passion I had for writing tends to come and go accordingly. The real difficult part, though, is losing the habit of writing consistently. When you stop writing, it’s hard to get back into that creative flow again and it seems like you start from zero to regain it.
4 Laura Spencer // Sep 23, 2010 at
I think you’re right. Stopping rarely cures writer’s blog and in many cases I think it makes it worse. If you can set aside a regular time (even if it’s only a half hour), it should help.
5 Stephanie // Sep 23, 2010 at
Haha I feel absolutely guilty after reading this ‘coz I’m one of those writers who never finishes a story after getting to the near middle parts of the writing process. You’re right, writers do need discipline if they want to succeed in their craft. The best way is to really set a schedule and to tell, no, ORDER yourself to commit to it.
6 cmdweb // Sep 24, 2010 at
I think that you can have varying amounts of passion, creativity and inspiration as you go along but without a consistent amount of discipline, it’s unlikely that you will succeed, especially if you’re a freelancer.
Discipline is one of those digital/binary things. If it’s there you can operate. If it’s not, things just don’t work.
Like others have said, passion, creativity and inspiration are great but they don’t pay the bills. Discipline is what pays the bills.
7 Laura Spencer // Sep 25, 2010 at
cmdweb,
Great point! Discipline pays the bills. I like that. 🙂
8 Mj Ces // Oct 4, 2010 at
I started on my freelance work with a passion I’ve never felt before. But then I was not getting too many projects during my first few months and that really made me feel down. I know I shouldn’t have but that’s what happened to me. I rekindled that passion when clients give me repeat business and say that I am doing great.
Maybe what I’m trying to say is there will always be passion for writing or any other career. But to sustain that passion is another thing. And in my opinion, that is the one of the major reasons why many freelancers give up within just a year or less of trying.
9 Laura Spencer // Oct 6, 2010 at
Hi Mj Ces!
You’re exactly right. It IS hard to sustain passion–that’s why I contend that discipline is actually more important. Passion will go up and go down…
10 Copywriting // Nov 16, 2010 at
I am also agreed with your views “passion, creativity, inspiration, and discipline”, these are the basic characteristics that should be present in a copywriter.
A reader can better underestimate how much your are passionate about your topic. Creative thinking will make your content interesting and attractive. Discipline and inspiration are also the most important factors behind the success of the copywriter. I am very passionate about my writing and my career.
Thanks.
11 Laura Spencer // Nov 20, 2010 at
Thanks Copywriting!
I think the important point is that ALL of these elements are needed…
12 Carmen // Dec 22, 2010 at
I would like to add another essential point: Craziness. In order to be able to write, you really need to embrace the crazy and sometimes illogical segment of your mind, that instead of drifting to blank pages and unsubstantial work, it keeps your creative juices flowing.
13 Laura Spencer // Dec 23, 2010 at
Hi Carmen,
Thanks for your comment. I agree that writers and other creative people are often unconventional.