As many of you know I've been rather removed from the "writing" life for a little while now. Family stuff, flu, work. You name it. Well, I'm trying to get back in the game and am having difficulty getting motivated, as I'm sure we've all faced a time or two.
So I'm scrambling to find something that gets me going again. I'm not feeling as excited about the story, I want to work on other ideas, I'd rather just read... ;) So I've reread what I have and it's just reminded me of the amount of editing I have. I did a little brainstorming for the next book I want to work on and it just made me less excited about this one. I've been playing poker (my book has a lot of poker in it) and that hasn't helped.
I need other ideas. I have a feeling that our RWA meeting next week will be a huge help. What have you done to get out of your writing slump and back in the swing of things? Read books by favorite authors? Write a short story? Light your favorite gardenia scented candle? Each some Dove milk chocolate (or dark chocolate for you dangerous people)?
Let's see what kind of list we can come up with. And thank you for indulging me and giving me ideas to get out of the rut. I'm sure there are lots of us out there right now going through this after the holidays.
15 comments:
Lisa--I hate to sound like the moderator for an AA meeting, but I believe you took the first step by posting this blog, admitting to yourself that you are swamped, and asking for help in getting un-swamped.
Perhaps the next step is deciding which project you want to work on first. And since you're a little blocked, I think the deciding factor should be the level of enthusiasm you can bring to the project. It doesn't matter if you've been working on one idea more recently or have more time invested--you need to rediscover your passion, so go where your heart tells you to go.
Also, remember, sweetie, not every project in the beginning, middle or end of your career is meant to be a finished product. Some awaken us to new, more exciting projects, some are exercises, like practicing your scales on the piano. There is no failure, just degrees of success.
So figure out which project sounds exciting to you. Dedicate a certain amount of time to getting it squared away without interruptions. Once you make the decision, stick with it--indecision and second guessing are signposts on the road to hell. They will jerk you around in circles until you get nothing done. I know this to be true. Trust me.
Then set aside X many minutes or hours a day to work on that project, just as you would if your employer was standing over your shoulder, because it's actually worse, your employer is sitting in the chair with you. Get back to living the writing life, even if it doesn't feel like a good fit because living it will help you remember why you enjoy it. Come to meetings, blog (I miss your blog comments--be sure to check mine out tomorrow, I promise I will try to make you smile!) get back on the loop, stop playing poker--I have a feeling for you poker is like my addiction to Solitaire!
We'll all help you!
Alice
Lisa, I know exactly where you're coming from. I struggle with this a lot, ever since I moved to Oregon because that change turned my life on its ear. I still haven't recovered. It's hard to get motivated when you're feeling unsettled. Do you feel unsettled?
My husband and I watched a fascinating documentary the other night that my daughter gave us on DVD for Christmas. It was weird at first (came across like an infomercial), but then it became fascinating. The gist is that we all have the power to attract the things that make us happy and therefore the power to get whatever we really want. But that's the hard part: Determining what you want.
I won't go into it here, but I strongly suggest everyone watch the documentary. It really resonated for me and I'm already seeing changes in my own life.
http://www.thesecret.tv/home.html
So that's my suggestion. It could help you. But like I said, the hard part is figuring out what it is you really want. At least it's hard for me.
Karen
When I get pulled away from writing for a while and try to get back in the groove, I reread whatever I was working on. Not just what I wrote, but all the notes, character info, even some of the books I used for research. I try to get myself back in that frame of mind. And remember what it was that made it so darned exciting to write in the first place.
BUT - I also have to be excited about writing it again. Alice had a point there. You have to be excited about it. Take the project that is the most appealing to you right now. You aren't on a deadline or contract yet, so take the one that is calling to you and makes you the most enthusiastic.
And if that doesn't help- then hang out with the rest of this neurotic group and I'm sure they'll all have some valuable tidbits as well! LOL
I ditto everything Alice said. You're not on deadline, you're not under contract. Go with the story that's calling to you right now. Like Alice said, some stories aren't meant to be finished. And maybe it's just that it's not meant to be finished right now. You can always come back to it later.
Since September I've started five books. FIVE! That seems absurd, esp. to someone who has five completed manuscripts and never started something without finishing. I've written at least three chapters in each one. But I ignored the one that was calling to me strongest for months and only now have decided to jump into it. So I completely know where you're coming from. Bottom line, if you don't write the one you're interested in, you won't be motivated to write everyday. So my advice is to go with what you want and see where it takes you. Don't wait and don't tell yourself you want to wait and write it when you're a better writer. Start now.
The way I look at it, those other four manuscripts I've started? Cake. I WILL write them - I love the ideas, they just aren't the one right now. So when I finish this book and move on to the next, hey, I'm already a few chapters in, right? And even if the idea changes along the way, I've fleshed out characters and gotten a jump start on the process.
No writing is wasted writing. Every little bit makes you a better writer.
Alice,
Such wonderful advice, thank you! It's nice to hear that it's ok to start something new. But I came so close to finishing the first book I worked on and never did, I've given myself a complex that I'll never finish anything.
I'm definitely feeling more pulled toward this other project and I have been since I thought of it. And I was only a few weeks into my current project when I thought of this one, but I didn't allow myself to switch.
Moreso than poker, I need to stop playing Puzzle Pirates ;) But, I'll tell you all at the meeting several reasons why that won't happen. And many of them are writing related. If you can believe it, Puzzle Pirates may in fact help me with me writing.
Karen,
Yeah, I think unsettled is part of it. I moved last summer, filing for divorce this month, changes at work, lots of unsettling things. I'm going to watch that documentary when I get home. Thanks for posting the link!
Paty,
I think I will have to try something new. I went back and read what I had written and it just stressed me out that there was so much to fix. And yes, hanging out with you all will be a great boost! I feed off your energy and kindness :)
Eli,
You just want me to switch because you want to read the other one ;) Just joking. Kinda, hehe. Part of my worry is that, will I finish the other books? It's not like I have a track record to show that I will. I know you'll finish yours and if you don't I've got a wet noodle for you because I want to read them! But starting five books makes sense, now that you're agented you have a lot more factors to consider than just going with a cool idea.
Wow, you all are wonderful. Thank you for your thoughtful comments. It's great knowing I can come to you when times are tough. Cyber hugs!
Karen--went to the website and checked out the trailer for the movie. Very mysterious.
Lisa--I'll be interested in hearing about Puzzle Pirates unless I check out that web site myself!
Meanwhile, I am stuck on my story, so Lisa, it's not just you who runs into roadblocks. they come in all sorts of sizes and shapes and there seem to be enough to go around for everybody!
Alice
Lisa--Checked out Puzzle Pirates. Plan on doing research to see if you're selling yourself a boatload of ___ on this thing making you a better writer.
LOL, I swear, if I get addicted to this thing I am going to come huntin' for you!
Alice
Hahahaha! Alice, you better not even download it. You don't want to know how much time I've spent on there. It's so addicting I can't even describe. But there really are good reasons for playing, I swear!
Let's see, Lisa, what inspires me to write when I haven't been? Writing. Sounds simple. And it is. If I just start doing it -- journaling, writing my autobiography, going back through story file ideas and adding to them, whatever -- it inspires me to do more. Or not. But even if it doesn't inspire me to do more, I do more anyway. And sometimes it feels like I am writing pure drivel. Upon reading it all over later I discover I was writing pure drivel. Sometimes not. But it doesn't matter, because I was writing, and even though none of it will ever see publication, it doesn't matter because I pushed through and learned from it. If nothing else, then how to push through it, sort of like pushing through grief. It isn't easy, but you have to do it or you quit living yourself. And if I quit writing, it is sort of like I'm not living. At least not fully.
So, to boil all this stream of words down into something suitable for an athletic footwear slogan:
JUST DO IT.
And, dang is it good to have you back, girl. We've missed you!
PS Thanks for giving my sis in law the GMC book idea for me for Christmas. That's what she got me, and I LOVE IT!!!
Danita--Well said. That's what it amounts to at times, just doing it. If you lined up all the drivel words we've all produced one after the other, you could what? Make a stairway to heaven? Circle the globe? Reach Mars?
Lisa--I downloaded the %^$#@!!* pirate thing.
Alice
Ahoy Mateys! So Alice and Lisa will be shooting at each other with canons! Yikes!
Lisa, it pretty much comes down to sitting down and writing. ANYTHING. Just do it and soon it will flow and may the pirate power be with you! ARGH!
No, Alice!!!!!
Don't let her suck you into her pirate world!!!
Lisa-- When I get lost and can't find my way back to the writing road, I just call upon my writing buddies here and all's well again.
Everyone had great advice, btw!
Too bad Alice downloaded PP. Now she'll never be around to share her wisdom with us.
Ol' Alice went a down-load'n on da high-bandwidth of thee internet, an da' pirates captured 'er!
Argh, we got's to be gettin 'er back from dem scurvy bandits! Avast ye maties and grab yer cutlasses, grab yer daggers! Load up yer Musketoons and Flintlock pistols!
Does der woman not remember da gibbet and what they'll do to 'er if'n they capture 'er and she's made 'erself famous like Anne Bonny and Mary Read?!!!
Whot's she thinkin' havin' been a landlubber all 'er life? She ain't got's sea legs! Whot if she breaks der pirate's Code of Conduct! They'll keel haul her! Or worse, take a Cat o' Nine Tales to 'er!
So, avast I say! And away to save 'er!
Lisa, was that piratey enough? LOL
Yes, Lisa, you have admitted to being stuck. Welcome, Lisa, to Blocked Anon . It took me a long time to admit that I was blocked.
Some ideas:
The amazing Jenny Crusie makes a collage when she is blocked
A number of pub work out when they are blocked
Several author's whose blogs I read interview their characters--total freewriting.
What works for me:
Reading for pleasure--the more good books I read the more I want to write
Avoiding the Internet as much as possible.
Writing something short--a short story, essay, journal entry just to get the juices flowing
Writing by hand for a change
Talking with my CP/others about my characters
I hope you find something that works for you!
Wavy--Excellent advice.
Alice--argh! Avast me maties.
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