Thanks mostly to my conversations on this blog, I recently picked up a job writing copy for a redesigned website. I have 11 pages in all to write, and minutes ago I finished page 6.
Three of the pages are linked and should be written together, and I’m committed to getting those done before bed. I’ll probably be at this until midnight or so — definitely past my bedtime.
This commitment to pushing through a true writing wall is new to me. When I am writing fiction for myself, I’ll stop for any reason. I’ll rarely force a story through to the end. My mind wanders; chocolate calls; I see the sudoku book by my bedside…. I have a thousand excuses.
But as a newly established professional writer, I have to fight those urges to give up. We’re not talking about my words. I’m writing someone else’s words, and they’re paying me to do so. I have a commitment to give them the 11 pages tomorrow, and when I get through these three, I’ll have two to wrestle with in the morning.
I’d best get back to writing.
