If only writing a book was as easy as having a great idea, writing like the wind (with no problems) then not even needing to take a second look. If only every agent would love your book. If only every publishing company would sell sell sell, and think of no one else.
If it were as simple as that, everyone would write books.
Books take time, lots of it. The difficult thing about time is that it is all too easy to get sidetracked. Especially if you had a fabulously relaxing 4th of July. So here are a few tricks I use to get back into the writing/editing groove.
1. Get to know your characters, again. Every time I can't seem to find my place, I have a conversation with my MC. Yes, this sounds crazy, but really all I'm doing is writing conversations in my head anyway. What do we talk about? We go over memories of everything we've been through, and then I ask her about how she feels about certian things. It helps me focus my efforts, because how can I just let her 'die' now?
2. Re-read what you've already written. Yes, it's true that generally you look back at your work and realize how awful it was the first time around. Then you find a gem, that one line that just gets you going again. The one I read yesterday was "Those two will make very pretty, very rude, babies. I wished them well." Maybe it's because I really know my characters, but this line made me laugh so hard I just couldn't quit.
3. Learn from others. Whenever I feel completely hopeless I always seem to find something some famous author said that helps me to move forward. J.K. Rowling was rejected 12 times. Sara Gruen (author of "Water For Elephants") admits right on her acknowledgement page that she had to be talked off a ledge. These successful writers had their issues as well, no one is exempt. The difference? They never gave up.
The fact behind any good book is that hours upon hours of work was put into them. The crazy thing is, they, like me, still wrote even though I they didn't expect a return. They hoped for it, but there is no guarantee. Endurance is what every great writer must suffer.
What about you? What do you do when you just can't seem to find your groove?
18 comments:
I talk to my characters too. But... not too often because last time I talked to my antag, he got all defensive and refused to tell me what I needed to know. Granted, my approach was wrong, but still!
What else... I like to ask two all-knowing entities for advice (no, not winamp): my muse Nereth and my dreamworld. Sometimees I'd think something over and wake up with the solution. Other times I've to work for it and beg Nereth for insight.
When I say I talk to my muse I mean actually closing my eyes, going to the river, and asking her questions to be answered in riddles. I don't always have the patience for that..
But yeah, those things mostly work. Thanks, Jen, for sharing your methods with us. *hugs*
I always see that mention of J.K. Rowling being rejected 12 times and have to laugh. That's a thimbleful of rejection. Still, it reminds me that the business is subjective and one agent or editor's opinion about the viability of a project should never be enough to derail someone's dream.
Great ideas!
Hmm . . . I don't know. I guess it's just pure determination that keeps me going. Keeping in contact with other writers helps too, because I know that whatever I'm feeling (about writing), more than likely, they've felt it too at some point :o) I l <3 my writing friends :o)
I take a break, then try writing with music, then try writing without, then try putting something, ANYTHING down and if THAT doesn't work I whip out a notebook and pencil. For some reason that usually works.
Well there are times I will take a long hiatus from writing because I'm stuck. I'll sit there and chew on it for days, not write a single thing and just say Uncle. But then I stop thinking about it, move on to being a productive member of my family household by cleaning and baking and such and suddenly I finally have figured out the issue in the back of my mind.
I know people keep telling me to write, write, write! Don't stop, write something else if you are stuck, but keep writing! I can't do that. Dunno why, but that's just how I roll. ;)
Just found you and after scrolling through, I'm excited to share your blog with some writer friends of mine. Have a great day!
This is so timely as I'm working on a new ms. And this reminded me to have a little chat with my main character tonight. It's hard to keep ploughing on quite often. But walking away helps me strangely enough. Maybe it's the break I need?
Great advice. When I am stuck I read. That always inspires me and gets the creative juices flowing!
I don't think it's weird to talk to the character in your book. I think that's awesome!!! :D
I tagged you in a crazy, twisted meme!
This is great. I always reread what I've written when I step away from a project. It's like I'm introducing voices again in my head (...um, not in that multiple personality way).
These are all such fantastic ideas. It seems like the most important thing for me to do is find a way to reconnect with whatever it is that got me to start writing in the first place. Having conversations with your characters is a fun idea.
Like you, I have two little ones at home, and a wife that is waiting for me to finish writing so we can have some time together. I've learned that finishing the scene I'm working on for the day, and then writing the first few sentences of the next scene to be written is one of the best ways for me to stay involved in the story. When I open my file the next day, an introduction to what I'm about to write is already there and I can jump right in!
Great ideas everyone...I like that line about rude babies too! I like to jump start my brain with caffeine. That usually works for me.
I know how it feels. Every writer does, right? :) Lately, I've placed my WIP on the side and I've been experimenting with writing short fiction instead. It's too hard to focus on my WIP with my kids both at home and demanding fun activities because they're bored at home. I figured I'm still writing, even if it's not the WIP, and though short stories fall in a different category, I'm still working the brain. So it's all good. Too soon school will start and then I can really get into it.
:)
Thanks so much for this, and for linking it up to FYBF, so many readers check it out each week :)
Nice post :) When i can't think of anything to write i just let it be cause i know that something or the other around me will trigger some thought that i'll need to pen down..for me forced thoughts have never really worked :)
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Such great ideas. Thank you so much for sharing this!
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