The Need To Write Like I’m Running Out of Time

Summary

The author expresses a sense of urgency to write and share their thoughts, despite the challenges of time constraints and writer's block, drawing a parallel to Alexander Hamilton's limited time.

Abstract

The author of the article describes a recurring compulsion to write extensively and quickly, driven by an internal pressure to articulate a multitude of ideas within a limited time frame. This feeling is reminiscent of the urgency expressed in the musical "Hamilton," where the character races against time. The author has a backlog of topics, primarily suited for long-form articles that require significant time and research, which conflicts with their current time constraints due to work deadlines. Despite these challenges, the author emphasizes the importance of writing, encouraging other writers to capture their thoughts whenever and however possible, even if it means writing in short bursts or in unconventional ways.

Opinions

The author views writing as a necessity, akin to a race against time, to express a wealth of ideas.
There is a recognition that writing productivity can be inconsistent, with periods of high output followed by creative dry spells.
The author values the depth and thoroughness required for long-form articles, but also acknowledges the practical constraints of time and energy.
Deadlines and a day job are seen as obstacles to the author's writing process, contributing to the feeling of urgency.
The author believes in the importance of seizing moments to write, advocating for the prioritization of writing amidst life's other demands.
There is an underlying fear of not being able to document all of one's thoughts and ideas before it's "too late," though the specific reason for this urgency is not explicitly stated.
The author encourages writers to embrace various forms of writing, from journaling to jotting down notes on a phone, to ensure their thoughts are preserved.

Or: Stealing a line from Hamilton to try to put this feeling into words.

I sometimes feel the need to just write something. It’s like I’ve got so much to say and not enough time to get it all down.

I’ve talked about my writing process before. It feels like the words just flow from my brain through my fingers into the keyboard and onto the page. Sometimes, I write a lot. Thousands of words in a sitting. I’ve written some very long-form articles that cover very deep topics. On occasion, I even write short articles, although not very often.

And then, there are times where the well is dry. I don’t know what to write about, none of my existing prompts seem good, or I just don’t have the energy to do it. There’s just nothing there. It’s very finicky, and it can be demoralizing.

I started this project to try and break through some of that logjam. It can be hard to write every day, since I have a day job and all. I’ve currently got a pile of topics that I want to write about, but they’re all long-form articles that require an in-depth article and, often, research that adds to the writing time.

It doesn’t help that I’m facing down several deadlines at work, being the end of the month. Time isn’t on my side, as Alexander Hamilton experienced. Thankfully for me, the thing I’m racing against is deadlines for work, not an early death at the hands of Aaron Burr.

(Although, if I were to face an early death at the hands of somebody named Aaron Burr, that would be a weird twist to this story.)

Right now, I’ve got more than a week’s worth of topics in my ideas page, but I haven’t got the time to write on any of them. They’re all topics that require longer-form articles than I can manage right now. So, for today, you are getting this. I’m writing this short missive on writing first thing in the morning before work. One of my cats is, strangely, awake and rampaging around the house while her brothers try to sleep. I’ve eaten breakfast and had my coffee, and in a few minutes, I’ll be starting up my day.

But, for right now, I’m writing something just to write. Something that apparently needed to get out of my head so I can focus. There are so many things to write, and so little time. I worry I will not get it all down in time. In time for what? I cannot say, for I do not know.

This is a feeling I get periodically. I got it a bit before I started writing on Medium, during my manic episode where I wrote a book in a month. I got it in the spring of 2020, when everything felt like it was going to hell and I had to say something about it.

Oddly, needing to write like I’m running out of time has become a recurring theme in my life. I’m working on managing the feeling, as stopping my day job to write something that I just want to write isn’t conducive to doing said day job. However, it’s something that I will have to deal with.

For all of you writers out there, please write. Get your thoughts out on the page, whatever they are, however you can. Write long-form in a leatherbound journal. Scribble notes on an envelope. Sit bolt upright in bed at 2:42 in the morning and mash ideas into your phone’s notepad before they escape your brain.

Take a cue from Hamilton and write like you’re running out of time. Sometimes, it’s all you can do.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to get to work.

The Need To Write Like I’m Running Out of Time

Or: Stealing a line from Hamilton to try to put this feeling into words.

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