I’ve been reading James Clear’s book Atomic Habits recently, and some of the messaging in it has really hit home with me.
I haven’t consistently worked on my novel for quite some time now, maybe ever. There have been small moments when I have, and they’ve added up to a few unfinished chapters. You see, my first two novels came so naturally to me. I didn’t have to force myself to sit down and write; the stories were pouring out of me, and it was hard to stop. This one, however, has been different. It hasn’t been pouring out of me, and besides a few strong scenes, the story hasn’t unfolded before my eyes as in the past. My answer to that was to wait for inspiration.
Unfortunately, that hasn’t happened. I’m going on another year without completing a novel, and it’s really bummed me out. I have people who know I’m working on my third novel ask me, “How’s the book coming along?” and all I can say is, “It’s coming along… slowly but surely.” I’m getting tired of that being my answer. I want to be able to say, “It’s going great!”
In one of the chapters, James talks about how the habits we form contribute to our identity. He goes on by saying, “…you wouldn’t consider yourself a soccer player because you kicked a ball once or an artist because you scribbled a picture. As you repeat these actions, however, the evidence accumulates and your self-image begins to change.” And then he finishes the thought by saying, “…the process of building habits is actually the process of becoming yourself.”
“…the process of building habits is actually the process of becoming yourself”
I’ve considered myself a writer/author because of the two novels I’ve written. Maybe that would make me an author, but in reality, it doesn’t, at least not currently. And so it hit me; if I want to be a writer, I have to write–consistently. Not when I have the urge or the inspiration, but write because it’s what I want to do and who I want to be. The stories will not always pour out. I won’t always be inspired. I have to put in the work.
I pray that I’ll be reading this post in another year, close to publishing my third book.