I know that, as a writer, there come those times when I think "I have absolutely lost my mind." Usually, it comes when I'm in the crunch of writing the heavy action scenes of a novel that typically come somewhere around halfway to two-thirds of the way through the book. Maybe it's normal, or maybe it isn't. To me, it's a part of being a writer that I've come to accept and work with. When the lines of fiction and reality start to blur my concentration, it's probably time for me to dig in and finish writing it, because that's when it's really flowing.
Those are the times that writers live for. We love that flow. It may cause us to question our own sanity, but by golly, it creates great fiction. And at least we realize where that line is, because it's one thing to deal with this madness in art, and quite another to deal with it in day to day reality. In fact, it can be downright frustrating in reality.
A turning away from reality for a purpose is one thing. To create art, to heal from illness or injury, to cope with tough emotional situations, or to serve a mission or a purpose that you've been called to that requires your complete attention for a reasonable period of time - that's one thing. All of us do it, and that's perfectly normal. What isn't normal is a long-standing refusal to adjust to changes or a new way of doing things. The nature of the universe is change, and it's happening at increasing rates now thanks to the marvels of technology. You can fuss and you can fight, but sometimes resistance really is futile, and refusing to adapt isn't brave or courageous; it's ignorant.
One case in point: refusing to learn computers. I realize there's a lot of technology out there, but seeing as we're a decade and a half into the new millenium, you must realize by now that if you don't "do computer" then you aren't a functional part of society. They're here to stay, as evidenced by the widespread disposal of filing cabinets and pay telephones. Everything has gone digital, and there's no going back. You have to go with it, or waste away.
My case in point here is that it can be wisdom to turn away from overwhelming reality from time to time, but that should be temporary. Hitting the pause button while you catch up with the rest of the world or are serving another purpose that you know you've been called to is one thing - that's wisdom, because these times usually require a focus that makes multitasking with a crazy world impossible, and you really are more effective turning out the non-essentials. The line is drawn at the "coming back" point. When denial or frustration become a lifestyle, you've crossed over into madness. Sometimes, you can't go back, and continuing to assume that you can if you dig in your heels longer makes a fool out of you while the world passes you by. Being stubborn may hurt others for a little while, but in time it hurts you the most, because they simply learn to go around or avoid you so they can move ahead with the rest of life.
The world is constantly changing. Sometimes you choose it and sometimes you don't, but one truth remains: you live in the new world, or you die in the old one. Reality isn't patient. You must adapt, or it will break you put you places that are to other people's advantage, but not your own.
That's all today. Take care, and have a great week.
Bye!
Those are the times that writers live for. We love that flow. It may cause us to question our own sanity, but by golly, it creates great fiction. And at least we realize where that line is, because it's one thing to deal with this madness in art, and quite another to deal with it in day to day reality. In fact, it can be downright frustrating in reality.
A turning away from reality for a purpose is one thing. To create art, to heal from illness or injury, to cope with tough emotional situations, or to serve a mission or a purpose that you've been called to that requires your complete attention for a reasonable period of time - that's one thing. All of us do it, and that's perfectly normal. What isn't normal is a long-standing refusal to adjust to changes or a new way of doing things. The nature of the universe is change, and it's happening at increasing rates now thanks to the marvels of technology. You can fuss and you can fight, but sometimes resistance really is futile, and refusing to adapt isn't brave or courageous; it's ignorant.
One case in point: refusing to learn computers. I realize there's a lot of technology out there, but seeing as we're a decade and a half into the new millenium, you must realize by now that if you don't "do computer" then you aren't a functional part of society. They're here to stay, as evidenced by the widespread disposal of filing cabinets and pay telephones. Everything has gone digital, and there's no going back. You have to go with it, or waste away.
My case in point here is that it can be wisdom to turn away from overwhelming reality from time to time, but that should be temporary. Hitting the pause button while you catch up with the rest of the world or are serving another purpose that you know you've been called to is one thing - that's wisdom, because these times usually require a focus that makes multitasking with a crazy world impossible, and you really are more effective turning out the non-essentials. The line is drawn at the "coming back" point. When denial or frustration become a lifestyle, you've crossed over into madness. Sometimes, you can't go back, and continuing to assume that you can if you dig in your heels longer makes a fool out of you while the world passes you by. Being stubborn may hurt others for a little while, but in time it hurts you the most, because they simply learn to go around or avoid you so they can move ahead with the rest of life.
The world is constantly changing. Sometimes you choose it and sometimes you don't, but one truth remains: you live in the new world, or you die in the old one. Reality isn't patient. You must adapt, or it will break you put you places that are to other people's advantage, but not your own.
That's all today. Take care, and have a great week.
Bye!
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