Under Pressure

Writing has always been a touchy subject for me in the past. A lot of the time, I loathe it. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like I hate classes like English or History, where you’re most likely to have to write a paper or an essay. In fact they’re some of my favorite classes from a purely learning perspective. But the writing…

The funny thing is, if I actually enjoy what I’m writing about, or at least find it interesting, I’ll tear through an essay like it’s nothing. Same way with reading. If somebody asked me if I liked reading, I would say no. Ask me how long it took me to read all 3700 pages of the seven books in Steven King’s The Dark Tower series, and I’d tell you 4 days.

 I’ve written many types of pieces, ranging from a research paper on the impact of the Christian Church on scientific advancement in the last 2 millennia, to a public policy paper on the implementation of sustainable nuclear power, to literature analysis on Falkner’s As I Lay Dying, the list goes on. It really doesn’t matter what kind of writing it is. I can find enjoyment in anything, or I can hate it to death, it all depends on my interest level. Except poetry. I have never been able to stand poetry. But these particular pieces are ones that stand out in my mind. Partially that’s because they were some of my best works, but also it’s because I had the most fun writing them.

But no matter what, whether I enjoy what I’m writing about or not, one thing will probably always be true. I’m not doing it until I absolutely have to. And that doesn’t go for just writing; that’s everything. I am one of the worst procrastinators you’ll ever meet. I mean, come on, I’m still writing this with half an hour left before it’s due. Luckily, I’ve learned to cope with my procrastination and channel the pressure that’s developed from the time constraints I create for myself into better, more efficient work. And I honestly have come to believe that my work is better when I absolutely have to do it at that moment, no if’s or but’s about it. Otherwise I’ll sit around, telling myself I’m doing work, when I’m actually just browsing the internet.

So basically, for me at least, writing can really suck. It tends to be one of those things I over think and start freaking out about because I don’t want to start doing it. But if I go about it in a way that works for me, and the topic is just right, I usually even surprise myself with what I end up with.