Coming into Focus
By Mike Apodaca, High Desert Branch
Writing affords us all many choices. One choice involves what to write. Do we write short pieces or books? Do we write fiction or non-fiction? Do we self-publish or strive for a place with a traditional publisher? Do we try to get an agent or do we go it alone?
I‘ve recently made a significant decision regarding my writing and, really, my life. I have
heard from several sources lately that we should write what we are passionate about, that our writing should come from a fire in our bellies. When we write otherwise, it comes off inauthentic and shallow and we will eventually give up.
I’ve been working on four different books. Two are thrillers, one is part of a series, and the other is a non-fiction book. After some personal re-evaluation, I’ve put aside all projects except the last one. I’m using the extra time to dive into research. I’ve been able to read and outline two books a week. I’ve also put together a 42-card PowerPoint on it for the On-Topic program.
Best of all, I feel focused—like I’ve found a larger agenda where my writing fits.I’m seeing it like this. I believe I’ve come to know my life’s purpose within a larger cosmic story. Since this is the context where my life fits, it makes sense that this is also the most appropriate context for my writing.
One thing that’s impressed me most about some of the speakers we’ve had lately is their ability to speak deeply on their topics. Even when asked questions they are able to
bring in their profound knowledge. To be able to do this we have to love our topics and be willing to devote our lives to them. They must be part of us and our life’s mission.
It is possible to allow our lives to be dominated by the pressures of the immediate. There are always more things to do than time to do them. The needs of money, family, cleaning and maintaining our stuff, etc. can put us into a frantic routine where we’re always moving but getting nowhere. We can also pour ourselves into social media, gaming, or binge viewing and spend all our time being entertained.
Again, this really gets us nowhere. After we’ve finished any activity, we should be able to answer the question—so what? Why was this worth it? What did it mean?
I’m not going to tell you what ultimate purpose I think should give meaning to your life
and your writing. That’s not my place. What I am going to encourage you to do is to find
ultimate meaning for yourself, if you haven’t already. It ignites that fire in your belly.
Writing is hard. It takes discipline and sacrifice. If we don’t have a BIG reason to write,
then we will eventually lose our steam and want to quit. Statistically, it is unlikely that all of us will become famous or even be able to make a living from our writing. So why are we doing it?
When you can answer that question, when you can see how your writing fits into your life purpose, which fits into the larger meaning, then you’ll recapture that fire in your belly, and no one will be able to stop you from expressing yourself in writing. You will be a herald. Aristotle: “The unexamined life is not worth living.” I would add, it’s also not worth writing about.”
This essay appeared in the March 2022,
Inkslinger, newsletter of the High Desert Branch.