Spoonie Writer: Writing Every Day Doesn't Apply

SPOONIE WRITER: WRITING EVERY DAY DOESN'T APPLY

I talked recently about pieces of writing advice that I hate (found here) and among them was this gem about how you have to write every day to be valid as a writer. It's something I've been outspoken about over the years simply because it's not true and it leads to things like burnout. I don't want any writer, abled, healthy, or otherwise to face the fear that because they don't or can't write every day, they are therefore not valid or not a 'real' writer.

I've been writing since I was 19, I just turned 43. You wanna guess how many days I've written every day? Probably a number close to zero. I was, when still drafting, writing most days, but there were always, and will be always, days when I didn't write, because it's harmful piece of advice, and none of us are machines that can function on nothing but caffeine and writing advice. It just doesn't work like that.

When it comes to spoonies, of which there are a lot in the writing space, it feels even more harmful because there can be serious medical issues that stem from pushing your body into writing every single day even if you do not feel well enough. So let me be clear when I say that for spoonie writers especially, this piece of advice does not apply to you. It doesn't, or shouldn't, apply to anyone else either, but there are some writers who swear by it, so I guess they do what works for them.

In the days when I still did NaNo, before it blew itself up I mean, I would set out to write a certain number of words, but I wouldn't write every single day because it's not sustainable for me, or for pretty much anyone. I am chronically ill, disabled, and I have days when I just can't. Writing and being an indie author is my job, it's the thing I do to make money to live and function, and yet even with it being my one and only full time gig, I can't push my body to sit down at my desk and work and write every single day because it's just not feasible.

So if any of this resonates with you, then know that you do not have to write every day to be a 'real' writer. You can write a chunk here and there, still a writer. You can write once every full moon, still a writer. You can be taking a chunk of time off, guess what? Still a writer! There is too much emphasis on being productive and being worthy of time off, and while it's something that I struggle with myself, it's also something where I will try, and continue, to challenge.

At the end of the day, we all need breaks. Writing is a creative pursuit and if you don't refill your well at times, then you will run out of steam and end up in burnout, and trust me, no one wants that. The hustle culture and the whole productivity tied to worth that's been popping up for years now is something that needs to stop. I don't like it. I never have. I don't like even that because of being organised and knowing how to best use my spoons to get work done, that I'm held up as productive and therefore worthy, despite (which I hate that word when used in this sentence) my disabilities and conditions.

I am a disabled, chronically ill, indie author. I have found a way that works for me, but that is not, and never will be, writing every day. I am also not more worthy of the title of author because I get as much done as I do. It's not a race. It's not a competition. It takes as long as it takes, and that's okay. You do not have to write every day to be valid, and that is a hill that I will gladly die on!

Any questions? Lemme know in the comments!

Follow Joey to be kept up to date with the latest news regarding Joey and her books.