Writing and Real Passion

I've heard many writers claim a passion for their work, but in the common use of the word as a heightened emotional state full of excitement. And then they face periods when things are difficult, the assignments come up short, and they go into a funk. I think it's because real passion is something else.

Strong emotion comes and goes in life - often within a matter of minutes, or even seconds. Have you ever found yourself swinging from "love" to "hate" when someone you care about does something you think is mistreatment? Only to feel remorse and self-pity when you decide that you over reacted? Or you're high, sailing on the wind of an assignment, and then falling when you run into difficulties? Now what once was inspirational and energizing is a painful struggle. You wonder if you're really suited to a writing life and figure that if it were that important, you'd feel strongly about it all the time.

But that isn't the case. In fact, the opposite is true. When you have passion for something, you continue pursuing despite emotional roller coasters, not because of them. When your outlook is wonderful, you keep your eye on what you're doing to make sure you don't get sloppy. When things seem bad, you soldier away, knowing that one step still needs to go in front of the other. The ordinary swing of emotions is what keeps you staggering one way and then the next.

Real passion requires a more constant state of commitment and resolve. It's what gets an explorer to the top of a mountain or someone like Michelangelo lying on his back for three years as he painted the ceiling of the Sistene Chapel. Passion has you in your chair day after day, making calls, finding homes for your work, struggling to improve your craft each time you sit down. The image may not be so romantic or enthralling, but the results of regular and constant efforts are far more satisfying.