Writing is work!

I gave up reading about the comic book industry for Lent, which sounds really lame, but it was taking up at least an hour of my day, every day, and for the most part completely unnecessay. I wasn't surprised to find that I hadn't missed much when I checked back after Easter. The only really worthwhile bit I found was in this interview with comic book scribe Brian K. Vaughan. He mostly talks about the books he's writing and movie deals, typical blah blah blah stuff, but I really appreciated this insight into the writing process:

Q: How do you maintain that productivity? What’s your secret?

Vaughan: I guess the secret is that it’s not very hard. It’s not working in the coal mines; I’ve had other jobs that are horrendous. Jobs are hard. Even if you’re going into an office and answering phones, jobs are unpleasant. But I work at home. I roll out of bed in my boxers – sorry to put that image in your head – and I sit down and write about people punching each other and kissing each other. It is a joy.
When you have to write 22 pages a week it’s not a lot. I’m lucky enough to have ideas; I’ve never had writer’s block before. I’ve always had something I’ve wanted to say.

Q: Do you believe in writer’s block? I know some writers who have never been blocked who just don’t believe it’s a real thing.

Vaughan: It sounds sort of… I imagine that if I had had writer’s block before I would feel that any writer who says that it’s a fiction is a douche. I’m reluctant to be like, ‘No, it doesn’t exist.’ But I’m lucky enough that I never had it before. The closest thing I’ve had to approximating writer’s block is X-Box, in that is fun and it is sitting there and it is easy to do and writing is hard and complicated and lonely. I think writer’s block is a way of being, ‘Why isn’t writing fun right now?’ But I’ve been doing it long enough that I don’t think writing is ever fun, it’s a drag. It’s not hard, but it’s not fun either. Finishing something and being done with is fun, and it’s thrilling, and it’s worth fighting for.

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I guess I just thought it was nice to see someone admit that while writing can be the greatest job in the world, that doesn't mean it's fun all the time or not hard. Like anything worthwhile, it takes dedication and sacrifice, but I sometimes get discouraged because I have a very flighty muse and my interest in a project often doesn't last long after the initial burst of inspiration. It may be strange, but I'm glad to be reminded that writing isn't always fun!