I’ll beg my
readers’ pardon for the crude sounding acronym in my title, which merely stands
for “butt in the chair.” It’s not a new expression, and you may have heard it
before. I used it for the chuckle or laugh of recognition it might bring, but
also because I find it fitting to the task. Let’s face it. Writing is hard, and
often the hardest part is making yourself sit down and write. To stop whatever
else you’re doing, get rid of any distractions, and just write can be a
daunting task.
I have a
friend who’s been developing a novel in her head for more than thirty years –
true story. Eventually, she plans to write it down and publish it but insists
she’s got to get the entire story just right before committing anything to
paper. As you’ve likely guessed, she hasn’t written or published a single word.
Perhaps that’s an extreme example, but many of us are doing some version of
that. We’ll finish writing that mystery when we figure out who the killer should
be, or we’ll start that new romance when we have an original storyline, better hook,
or more interesting main character. The reasons are endless.
My advice
this week is to just sit down and write, or start an outline, at least. I never
get any writing done unless I’m sitting in front of the keyboard and typing.
Others may use a pen and paper or voice recorder. Some may even create at a
standing desk. It doesn’t matter how you write. It only matters that you do. Sure,
we get ideas in the shower, while driving or doing something other than
writing; but we must put the words down on the page (be it virtual or real ink)
or they disappear.
