Why Writing A Book Is Like Going To The Dentist | A Filler Post

We hope you enjoy this filler post on why writing a book is like going to the dentist.

Having just gone through a troublesome week, punctuated by a couple of dentist appointments, I have been thinking about how writing is a lot like going to the dentist.

Consider this.

Why Writing A Book Is Like Going To The Dentist | A Filler Post

It’s not so bad I don’t have to do anything about it, right?

At first you get a tingle, a twinge even, nothing to be concerned about really.

It’s just a slight discomfort, a dull ache. Should I do something about this?

‘Nah, I’m probably just over-reacting.’

So you go get a cup of coffee and as soon as it hits the back of your throat, a moment of pure ‘inspiration’ engulfs your very being.

Why did I let it get this bad?

Soon that dull, vague, daydream of an idea is a sharp dagger stabbing into your soul.

‘God, this needs to come out!’ you say.

And, so you make the uncomfortable call to set aside some time to get this ‘book’ extracted from your skull. That is to say you make a ‘booking’ to get some work done.

Dear God, I can’t live like this!

Of course, it’s never a quick thing is it?

At first you are too busy. You think it can wait a few days. Maybe a week or so? Two at most.

But, it can’t, and soon you are in a small, enclosed room with an uncomfortable, swivelling chair just trying to maintain your sanity under a flickering overhead lamp.

This is a brutal assault on my very being!

And, it is awful.

It seems like a never-ending torture. But, you know, as your knuckles turn white from gripping ‘your’ chair’s arms, that you just need to endure the pain and that it will be better once it is all done.

Also, people keep asking you questions that you can’t answer.

I mean don’t they know you can’t talk about it right now? You’ll talk to them once you are done.

What a relief.

But, eventually the spotlight fades, the ache subsides, and you can talk again. Sure, there was blood, sweat, and tears, but you can think straight again so it was worth it.

Then, suddenly, you know that you need to tell the world about this. No matter how mundane or boring it may be you just have to let everyone know what you have just done!

What? Nobody cares about the trauma I just went through?

But, your so-called friends and your ungrateful family can’t even muster the decency to sympathise with your PTSD.

‘Oh, is that right? Did a publisher think it was good?’ they say. Shutting down any further conversation.

Sigh, of course they didn’t. Well at least you got through it.

You can relax for a while. You’ll take care never to put yourself through that hell again in the future.

But well… It’s not so bad I don’t have to do anything about it.

Later you even think, ’Was it that bad, really?’

Then the dull ache begins again.

Damn it. Back to the chair I guess.

Top Tip: Learn how to write a book with us: Writers Write – How To Write A Book

 Written by Christopher Luke Dean (Perhaps writers should stop saying like ‘pulling a tooth’ and start saying like ‘writing a book’.)

Christopher Luke Dean writes and facilitates for Writers Write. Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisLukeDean

More Posts From Christopher:

1. What Makes A Compelling First Chapter?
2. How To Write An Action Scene In 3 Steps
3. How To Get An ‘A’ Analysing Poetry
4. Why We Need To Get Back To Writing With Hope
5. 10 Worthy Antagonists In Fiction & Tips For Writing Them
6. Why You Shouldn’t Only Write What You Know
7. Writers Talk 11 | The 8 Elements Of Setting
8. A Quick-Start Guide To Writing Fantasy
9. Writers Talk 10 | Creativity & Imagination
10. Writers Talk 9 | Journey To The West

Top Tip: Find out more about our workbooks and online courses in our shop.