I had to leave my crap in the cart and rush home to put her to bed. I was little angry and most defiantly frustrated. When she finally settled down to sleep (and my son went outside to play) I thought it was my chance to write.
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I opened up my document and stared at the screen. I couldn't write becasue I wasn't in the right frame of mind. I think I'm typing this now as a way to get myself back to that point. My poor characters have been sitting in the shadows just waiting for action, and I'm here waiting for the action to come to my brain.
Everyone, breathe deep with me. Close your eyes and make a humming noise and send good vibes my way.
Ah, that's better. Time for me to get back to writing.
What do you do when you aren't 'in the mood?'
*** Update: I wrote 1,200 words. Writing this post helped :) ***
36 comments:
nice, it worked :)
I'll read and usually that gets me inspired.
Yay, I'm glad the post helped!
When I'm not in the mood, I usually just play a game or go for a walk. Something that involves no brain power!
Yay blogging! Reading or walking definitely helps me get into the right frame of mind. Listening to music too.
I intended to write last night but was just too dang tired after everything I had to do at work. I can't write angry - it never ends well.
I spend most of my time not in the mood, which I know is bad. The only thing I've found that helps is reading some of the chapters I've already finished, or looking up some of the images I used as inspiration to get me back in the mood. The only time that doesn't help is if I'm mad--and if I write mad, I end up deleting it all the next day, because bad things have happened my my characters. :-/
Hey! Im so sorry for taking so long to visit your blog. It's nice to finally read your posts. Im mostly 'not in the mood' just like the person above me said...and when Im not in the mood I do nothing in particular actually. Not helping, am i? lol. Anyway, how are you??? Maybe I should read your previous posts to find out :)
Yeah, I can't write, at least not well, if I'm frustrated or mad. I suppose I should try writing an angry scene sometime and see what comes out, but usually I'm too distracted to focus on the words.
Hoping the mood passes and maybe after a nice cup of tea you get back to the writing. :)
Glad it helped! I once wrote almost an entire post on retiring a book and shelving it because I was so stuck. I stopped writing the blog post and started working on the book, now I think it's my favorite. :)
I've been struggling with my #atozchallenge post for the letter "O" for three days...whatever I write, I toss. You absolutely have to be in the right frame of mind for creativity to flow.
Music often helps take me away and get me started back on track. Thanks for the reminder!
I definitely turn to blogging when I can't write... and sometimes I *try* to write when I'm in a state of anger or frustration--I've been surprised with what comes out!
And so glad you got those 1200 words out. Nice work! :D
After deriding myself for not writing despite my mood I normally will proof, edit, revise earlier chapters, try to poke holes in the plot, validate character motivations, etc. I figure all that stuff has to be done anyway so I might as well use the time I'd have wasted writing throwaway prose.
Yeah, writing a blog post helps me sometimes. Also putting on some classical music (my "writing music") helps too.
Whenever I see moms in the store with screaming children I just want to give them a hug. I so know how you feel. It's amazing how writing out your feelings and experiences can make you feel so much better. Very cathartic. I cannot write when I'm feeling keyed up or anxious or angry. Perhaps I just need to write about why I'm feeling that way!
Lately I've been reading. It helps to get my mind off writing because I'm entertained.
Sorry you had a frustrating day! I know the feeling.
Ambien. 'nuf said.
Screaming child would definitely knock the mood out of me!
I usually play my guitar for a while. Clears my head.
When I'm not in the mood, I end up surfing the net. I'm way to dis tractable when that happens.
lol Too funny! Except that it's not. Amazing how such little bodies can have such powerful voices, isn't it?
I'm so glad you were able to write after all.
So glad the blogging helped. Nothing can come between a girl and her meltdown. Good job!
Those faces remind me too much of a test I administer on a regular basis. Kinda tripping me out.
When I'm not in the mood, I tell myself it's either write something or run for five miles. Writing wins. :)
When I'm not in the mood, I simply don't open my word document XD I'm so bad. But once I stare at it, I'm usually okay.
There's nothing like a writing vent to make you feel better. So glad you got some writing done!
Sending you good vibes!!! I hate when things like that happen. Especially when you're so motivated to write, and something totally steals your mojo! :( Big bummer. Keep smilin' tho! Good vibes coming your way!
When I'm not in the mood for writing I try and do something writing related, whether I just sit and think about the plot and where it could go, or think about another story idea, or go over a book I read recently. Sometimes blogging helps, or reading writing related blogs. Never reading through. If I read, I'm lost for good and that writing never gets done.
Glad we could 'help' you :)
To get in the mood, I usually force myself to start writing. If a few pages in I'm STILL not feeling it, I stop.
I know I'll feel it again very soon.
Not being in the right mood happens to me a lot. I like to thing I'm a free-spirit type of person - and I am, if I'm in charge of being free. If something/someone else changes my plans for me (by having the screaming heeby-jeebies, for example) then I get quite cross (which is putting it very, very mildly - lol)
Ah, sorry you had a tantrum in your hands. But glad to hear you were able to get your writing mojo back. :)
Mood is everything. It effects how you read, what you read, and how you write. The key is to make writing something that improves your mood:)
Glad you're doing better now. I find that chocolate usually helps me. :)
Congrats on the 1200 words!
Hm. When I'm not in the mood, I usually do one of three things. 1- something else ;) 2- power through it, or 3- go do something (like fold clothes) that will allow me to think about exactly what I'm going to write. Then it all comes easier.
Congratulations on your word count. :) I'm glad to hear the mood returned!
I'm glad it helped. Sometimes you just HAVE to unwind first!
Lovely!:)
Oh I totally understand this. That's why I have to write early in the morning before anything can alter my mood.
Awesome that the post helped! When I'm not in the mood I do whatever it is that's distracting me, since that's usually the issue. Knowing it's a mess upstairs will drive me nuts until I go up and tidy it. Knowing I have bills to pay will kill me until I just suck it up and pay them and balance the checkbook. Then when I sit back down I can write again.
Shannon at The Warrior Muse, co-host of the 2012 #atozchallenge! Twitter: @AprilA2Z
I hope the writing muse comes along soon. I hate days like that. When I can't write, I run. Then my brain starts working again (I know, it's weird).
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