Now don’t anyone fall off your office chair or, if you’re using a laptop, don’t slide off your couch onto the floor, but…
I’ve actually been writing this week! Woo Hoo for me!
For months now I just haven’t been in the mood, or groove, or whatever, to write, or really even think about opening my laptop to write, but this week I started and now I just can’t seem to get over the fancy that’s struck me.
Oh, I’m not complaining, it’s just that I’m so afraid the hankering to write is going to slip away again into the dark corners of my mind (you know, it’s that place I’ve not had access to in so long) I’m almost panicking.
As I’ve pondered about what’s put me back on track, I’ve realized it’s the fact that I opened up an old story and started reading what I’d written and UGH!, it was in dire need of fixing; anyhoo, I started tinkering around and eliminating words and phrases that I’ve learned are passive and just did some general script clean up, and then I started adding layers and I realized that my characters were starting to talk to me again. It totally gave me chills!
So, what did I do? I just went with it. I listened to what they had to say and found I was typing away and finding out a whole lot of new and fun things about these characters. I had no idea they’d take me in the direction they did, but it’s been a trippy ride this week. I’m loving it! (But not like McDonalds loving it. I actually hate McYucks.)
When I started thinking about the inspiration, and how the bug bit me hard on the ass this week, I realized that even though I’ve not been in the mood to write and haven’t hardly tried in months, I was still on the ‘write’ path because I never stopped learning about the writing process.
Things I’ve learned over the months, while the tumbleweeds flitted around on my laptop, have been slowly sinking in to my skull, they finally hit my brain, and now I’m starting to use them. My confidence is coming back and I’m finding pleasure in writing again.
This may seem foreign to all of you, but it’s where I’ve been for far too long and I’m excited that the blockage is melting away and that I’m headed in the right direction again.
I don’t have any words of wisdom to give to you about writing or anything. This is just a blog entry to show you that even if you get a major blockage, one that may go on for months, there’s hope. Don’t give up or think you’re a failure just because it seems everyone around you is going gangbusters while you’re sinking into the depths of writing despair. (a bit o’ drama for ya’ll)
Please, if any of you have wisdom or helps for the problem of blockage or if you just want to share your story of a time you were blocked, use this opportunity to share with everyone in the comments section.
It may seem silly, but I clung to the fact that both Alice and Bethany have had blocks at one time or another. I'm so thankful they were open and shared that they each had been blocked and had actually gotten past it. It was a great help to me and gave me hope for myself.
The world of writers is unique and so important in spinning the tales that make the world go ‘round.
Don’t ever quit!
11 comments:
Yay, Piper!!!! I'm thrilled for you. I know that when I've been away from writing for a span - for whatever reason - coming back to it is the best feeling in the world.
I haven't ever had a major blockage (knock on wood), but if it ever happens, I'll remember this post. :)
Woo Hoo, Piper! You go girl! I think everyone has a glitch or a blockage in their writing at one point or another- maybe not the inability to write anything but the inability to see the next scene.
It's awesome your characters are talking to you and the hiatus has strengthened your writing and your resolve.
Piper--Welcome Back!
And with, for me, a timely blog.
The last few times I've finished a project, I've had an awful time getting back into the next one. I don't even FEEL like a writer right now--it all seems alien. But this time, I can remember feeling this way before (and my family reminds me with much groaning and rolling of eyes that I've said these very words about not feeling like a writer a few more times than they care to hear.) The memory that it all seemed lost and yet ultimately returned and that each time it did it was with new insight and energy is what now sustains me. I haven't written original work since finishing the last book--on April 27th. A little over a month. My husband says I'm taking a vacation, and perhaps he's right.
So, I'm with you, dearie, keep the old head up, keep the mental gears spinning, be patient with yourself.
So happy you are writing! And glad that my past pain in this department helped you through to the light! That makes me feel great.
Alice
That's wonderful, Piper! I'm so happy for you. I know exactly how you feel. I've not been blocked, but I have stalled out in the middle of a book mainly due to time-challenges. If I have to break my story rhythm, it's like pulling teeth to get back into it again.
You're going to have so much fun now! I hope you share what you've been up to at the retreat later this month. Only 3 weeks away!
Karen
Great for you, Piper! I was blocked from January to October of 2006. Now, I've been dealing with various stages of block since January 07. Does this mean that I've only got 2-3 productive writing months in me a year? Gosh, I sure hope not. Does it mean that when I teach my productivity goes way down? More likely. Does it mean that I still have something important to learn about myself and my writing? Most definitely. I do know that I'm not one of those people who can write when they're depressed or unbalanced--and my mental state is directly tied to my many blocks.
Also, there is a lot to be said for being out of practice. I know that is the case right now for me. It's a lot like dieting. The first week off, you feel weirdly free. The second week, you feel guilty. This guilt builds and builds and then, a month after breaking your diet, you're numb to the guilt, and two months in, you can't find the momentum to start again. (Can you tell I'm a yo-yo diet veteran as well?). I've given myself permission to live without daily page goals, to not open the document, to break every one the routines that keep me happy and writing. I know that this is really self-destructive of me. My last day of teaching is next Friday. That Monday is a fresh start--a re-commitment to my routine, my writing, and my mental health. Routine is like RAID for those ANTS in your head that cause blocks. And I know that, but apparently I don't KNOW it yet.
This block HAS been easier than my last block: I've stayed connected to RWA, read each issue of RWR, kept up with some writing blogs, and not let myself completely drift away from the writing world. You are right, little things DO help!
Thanks for your thrillment Eli. LOL I'm thrillin' too. :)
Thanks Paty, it's always good to know one is never truly alone and that others struggle, even if just a tad.
Alice said... The last few times I've finished a project, I've had an awful time getting back into the next one. I don't even FEEL like a writer right now--it all seems alien. But this time, I can remember feeling this way before (and my family reminds me with much groaning and rolling of eyes that I've said these very words about not feeling like a writer a few more times than they care to hear.)
Piper to Alice-- What you said makes perfect sense to me. I've not experienced it with writing yet, but I have in other situations in my life like singing or doing theatre work. I always feel so weird when the performance is over, the applause dies down, and the audience moves on. It make me feel like maybe it wasn't real, like it didn't actually happen, or that I made a fool of myself and it royally sucked. My family and friends are always so supportive and encouraging and tell me how much they love to listen or watch, but when I'm finished I feel like I'm on the outside of it all and that it all happen to someone else. I don't know if that made any sense. LOL
I guess what I'm trying to say is I think I understand where you're coming from when you finish something that you worked so hard on and did your very best with, and when it's all said and done, and you're coming off the "high" of it all, the let down period is crazy weird and you can't believe you actually accomplished what you did. It's just too unreal that you did what you did.
Okay, shutting up now. LOL
Karen-- I'm sooo excited for the retreat this month! Thanks so much for getting us this place!
Your right about being thrown off when you've been away from the story. It's so hard to come back to!
I'll share my progress with you at the retreat. It'll be the perfect thing to put you right to SLEEP! LOL
Wavy-- You have so much going on in your life right now I don't know how you balance it all. You've had a lot on your plate the last few years so don't beat yourself up.
You're doing the best you can right now and you need to give yourself tons of credit for accomplishing all that you have lately.
Just growing a baby is over-whelming enough.
I can't write when I'm depressed either. It's totally impossible, so I hear ya sistah.
I'm glad you're staying connected to RWA, and all the little things do help, don't they. Your blog is always a treat and I think that in itself is writing. You're doing great with the time you have and with all that's going on in your life. Remember that we're all here for you when you feel yourself sinking. We'll pull you back up out of the pit! That's what friends are for!
If I feel a little blocked, I just drink some prune juice, open an old story file, like you did, and start pecking away at it. Usually what happens to you, happens to me too.
Isn't it cool?
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