Just Writing
So I’ve got this thing. Maybe it’s a habit (got several of those), maybe it’s a quirk (many of those), but it’s certainly a thing (too many to count). If I was trying to frame it in nice terms, I’d call it restless creativity, or perhaps serial enthusiasm. I tend to get focused on something, and then I get really focused on it, for a while. Buy some books, search the web, generally soak in it for a while. And then… poof …I’m not so interested, and then something else comes along. Lather, rinse, repeat.
One thing I’ve noticed is that all my restless pursuits tend to be creative in nature; I want to make things. When my focus is on music, I’m trying to compose. When the computer grabs my attention, it’s either a programming project or a web site, that’s where this site, and a couple of redesigns have come from. I’ve got a stack of books on the shelf about hobby robotics. I’ve tried to learn Spanish several times; I guess that’s not creative, so we’ll call it the exception that proves the rule.
And from time to time I decide to write. I’ve got a file full of story ideas somewhere, which haven’t gone anywhere. Part of the pattern is that I like to spend a lot of time on upfront tasks, and never get around to the task at hand. Another problem is that I have a thing (ok, another thing) about doing things well; I wouldn’t say I’m a perfectionist, but I like to do things well, which makes it hard sometimes to practice something I’m not good at. On more than one occasion, I’ve decided to use this blog as a place to write for the sake of writing. You know, what the kids call blogging. That usually leads to a round of yak shaving, and my attention span runs out before I get back to the task at hand. Like the time I spent several days setting up a separate writing blog, which I never used.
And this isn’t new, two years ago I wrote a post about just writing someting:
In my last post, I talked about the forces that prevent me from writing blog posts- factors I collectively call friction. One of the things that I cited was a desire to get things done first- for example, to make some headway on a new project before discussing it. Another version of the same problem is the desire to work out an idea completely before trying to explain it. In this entry I’m going to try and throw caution to the wind, and write about some ideas which aren’t fully formed, but which have been rattling around in my skull for a while.
All of which is both backstory and progress. I have a current project which I’m focused on, a web application which I’d like to write. Since this one has a purpose- I’d like to turn it into a salable product- I have a reason to remain focued. At the same time, I’ve gotten the urge to write again (catching up on my Wil Weaton backlog on Bloglines seems to do that). So I thought I’d take a stab at it, and you’re soaking in it. Maybe I should try this again, tomorrow.
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“Like the time I spent several days setting up a separate writing blog, which I never used.”
Sounds kinda like mine. [1] :)
In fact, this while blog post sounds pretty much just like me, too. I think we’re in the same category of brain weirdness.
[1] http://decafbad.com/skein/
Well, I’m just glad to see you back to some bit of writing! I admit some great degree of this serial enthusiasm you mention as well. For me it happens more often than not with things that require long periods of disciplined action. For example I’ll think out an outline for a long story (novel, script, whatever) and start gathering details and research. I love this part of the creative process. Then when I start to actually write it just gets tedious and I move on. After all, I know the story! Isn’t that enough? Too often it is.
I think that’s why this sport of blogging is relatively easy. It’s like quick notes on whatever random thing I have in mind. It helps that I don’t care too much for feedback on these random things else the often dearth of comments would leave me depressed.
Anyways, good to see you posting again!
What you are describing are the qualities of an good entrepreneur. Maybe you could write down your ideas and sell them? Many are making a living that way.
At least you should update Wikipedia whenever you learn something new. Then others might make better use of it.
This is why I try to avoid criticizing anyone’s work (book, movie, application, etc.) when they’ve actually FINISHED something. Coming up with ideas usually isn’t that hard and is a lot of fun. Seeing them through to completion takes real work. And I rarely feel like working after I leave work.
“I tend to get focused on something, and then I get really focused on it, for a while. Buy some books, search the web, generally soak in it for a while. And then… poof …I’m not so interested, and then something else comes along. Lather, rinse, repeat.
“
Ditto from here.
[…] (I have a follow-up planned to last night’s post, but this isn’t it; maybe tomorrow.) […]