I would love to sit here and tell you that I never have a problem writing. No matter how much is going on or how I’m feeling I can still crank out the words.
I would love to tell you that, but I would be fibbing. Truth be told, there are times I don’t feel like writing. There are even times when I simply cannot force myself to write.
At the moment, I’m in one of those ruts where I am having a LOT of trouble getting myself to write. I have the best of intentions but I’m tired when I get home and it is just easier to sit down and veg out. I’ve really got to change that and soon. It has begun affecting my sleep (can’t get the feelings of guilt to go away and the ideas are really swirling).
I never quite know what causes this. Sometimes it is the weather (like now) and other times it is something I simply cannot put my finger on. I do know that when I have prepped myself for motivated writing (like NaNoWriMo) I can write regardless of all the outside factors.
Does that mean I’m not motivated? I don’t really have a good answer for that. I do know that I’ve got to get moving forward. I have a number of projects on the go/looming over me that need work. I cannot afford to let them sit for too long.
Do you ever get hit by this? How do you get past it? I would love to hear your suggestions cause I’m definitely having some trouble right now.
Yep. Every day. Zero-to-one is the worst, and everything that goes into attempting to get past that. Ignore it, it’s all lies. Start banging words, no matter how bad or wrong or off track. Then you’re doing it, and it starts writing itself. Good luck!
I’ll commiserate. Currently, I’m suffering from the post-project doldrums. After months of re-writing, editing, beta-reader comments, more editing, and sending out query letters, I’m now finding it hard to get to working on the next project.
It’s happened before. I know it will pass. There’s just so long I can go without writing. Either a project will inspire me or a reader will nudge me. I’m hoping that having some short story submission deadlines will also serve as motivation. The ultimate motivation is getting something accepted somewhere, but rejections are far more common.
Agreed. The first step is to get some words down, no matter how bad. Then you have something to edit. My problem was actually getting them down. I think I may be past it (already wrote over 200 words on WIP today). I think part of the problem has been the new job on the horizon. I was letting it distract me too much.
I think that was part of the problem for me too. I finished an 8-month writing project, then jumped into NaNo and had the revisions for my sold book on my mind. I kind of lost my momentum during the Christmas break and had a heck of a time finding it again.
Now I know a few more things about the ongoing projects and I’m working my way back into the rhythm.
Another way to get unstuck… read something cool. I just started reading Cherie Priest’s Boneshaker. It’s definitely putting me in the mood for steampunk horror.
A very good idea Michelle. I do believe part of my problem has been the lack of reading (due to writing and life). Now I have more time to read and I’m itching to get at it again.
I think part of its the sucky weather we’ve been having in Calgary… it’s harder to write when you’re living in temperature extremes… or at least I do (extremes make me tired). You’ll get back into it!
I’m sure you are right. I find the nasty weather to be depressing too. Things will pick up.
I have never had this happen to me. Oh wait a minute. Yes it has. Happens to me all the time. It’s not an easy thing to just jump back on the horse. Even talking with friends about how much you love to write and how excited you are about your current WIP cannot be enough. Sometimes you just need to write through the tough times and get past it. You were able to wrote a blog post and add comments. Why not keep the going and put down 100 or 200 words in your WIP just to get something down. Even if it’s not that good it’s words on paper. 🙂
Great advice and exactly what I’m trying for. Managed 400 words last Thursday then had a weekend winter Scout Camp throw a small wrench in the works. I did tell the story of the Abominable Snow Slasher though. Does that count? 🙂