Writing one day at a time

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I’ve taken to writing at Dunkin’ Donuts. I’m writing my current book longhand, so it is really no problem to write out of the apartment. I set myself up at a table in the front, next to the cooler and out of the way. I’m not trying to attract attention. I’m just trying to write. I spread my two large, tan notebooks on the table in front of me, beside my medium iced coffee with extra milk, and I hope for the best.

The reality is that I am doing this at the time when everyone else is going off to work. I tell myself that I, too, am working, and begin to write. If all goes well, I will close my notebook with an additional paragraph added to my story. I have, however, become painfully aware that the additional paragraph might not come. Nothing at all might come. The two tan notebooks might remain just as they were, no new paragraph or sentence or even words. Nothing.

For me, this writing business is very much a “one day at a time” operation. I can be truly thankful after a good day’s work, but there is absolutely no guarantee that the gift will be there the next day. I live in a period of grace that extends just 24 hours. Interestingly, this concept, that has proven so useful to recovering alcoholics and addicts of every stripe, was pioneered by the Jews. They had it first in their celebration of the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur. The Jews pray to be inscribed in the Book of Life, not for a lifetime, but only for one year.

When I approach my writing in this spirit, it carries over into the rest of my day. If I can’t count on being able to write tomorrow, I can’t count on much of anything else, either. Affairs are simplified when all I have to worry about is the time between the present and bedtime. I was first introduced to this manner of living by the pioneering sports radio host, Art Rust Jr., who was on WABC in the 1980s. He used to conclude his broadcast by saying:

“Yesterday is a canceled check. Tomorrow is a promissory note. Only today is cash. Spend it wisely.”

I’ve found that keeping these words in mind is my best guarantee that I’ll be able to write, with or without the medium iced coffee with extra milk.

Josh Greenfield is an author who lives in Riverdale. His most recent book, “Homeward Bound: a novella of idle speculation,” is available from Amazon.com.

writing, author, Josh Greenfield

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