How to Write More in the New Year

Need accountability? This might be just the ticket

Mennonite Board of Missions photo collection, 1969-1983, from Ghana. IV-10-7.2 Box 3 Folders 44, Photo #97. Mennonite Church USA Archives-Elkhart, Indiana.

One of the many things that makes writing a curious practice is that the work stays so intangible for so long. A painter might show an early sketch; a songwriter might hum a developing tune. A writer? For so long, it’s all in your head. Well you see, my imaginary friends I’ve created haven’t started talking quite loudly enough for me to hear everything, but when they do, trust me this story is gonna be great!

It can thus be difficult to explain the writing process to the people who would prefer that you spend your time on them instead. There’s always something else more immediate to do, something that will net more obvious results (as I noted in last month’s newsletter). But if you never devote any time to writing, how can it ever get done? What, have you enchanted your pens to do it themselves, like Mickey’s mops? Okay that’s prett…