Writing

The process is as follows:

Step one – feel the heat of the idea's fire burning in your mind. Stoke the flames until it becomes a wildfire that rages through your entire soul.

Step two – take your notes out and start spreading the inner fire outwards.

Step three – begin self-doubting. Struggle to find the correct words. Rewrite every sentence at least ten times. Sit back and take a closer look at what you've written so far. It's a couple of puny sentences.

Step four – delve into your mind in an attempt to feel the flames once more. Close your eyes to see if it helps you focus. Find yourself amidst ash and soot, the flames long gone.

Step five – do not freak out. Try to scribble something down anyway, with hopes of rekindling your flame.

Step six – continue self-doubting. Maybe your idea wasn't as good as you initially thought. Someone has probably done it already, and done it better than you ever could. Maybe it's not your thing. Maybe you're not a writer, not an artist. Never a creator, only a consumer.

Step seven – keep scribbling down. Realize that it will inevitably suck, but so do all the first drafts. So does everyone. Writing is a craft, not a gift. It must be learned, honed. And learning is a process. Realize that you are not writing, but going through a continuous process, a path, and that you change and evolve with every step you take. So you keep going.

Step eight – once you feel yourself getting weary, sit down to catch a breather. Take in the sights. Listen to the birds. Take a deep breath and relax. This is not a race. Put your notes away, give yourself time to rest from your writing. Read it again in a day or two with a fresh mind and view.

Step nine – completely ignore previous two steps. Instead, force yourself to finish your work in one sitting, no matter how long it may take or how tired you may become. Put a period at the end of the last sentence. Carelessly re-read your work, missing all the obvios erorrs. Realize that it's even worse than you predicted it would be, but post it anyway in a desperate crave for validation and recognition. Receive none, delete your work and vow to never write again.

Step ten - feel the heat of idea's fire burning in your mind once more.