Monday 28 November 2011

Use it or lose it!

I've been concentrating so hard on revisions for the last month that I've hardly written a word.  Up until now, I've either solely written, or I've done a mix of revising and writing during the day.  I have written every day for the last two years, and the two years before then, I wrote nearly every day.  It's part of my routine, and when I settle down to write, it flows quite easily.
About a week ago, I realised that I needed to add a chapter to my WIP.  I could see the piece of story very clearly, but when I sat down to write it, nothing came out.  It seemed to be a mix of being overly critical of every word I typed, rather than letting it flow, and the words not being there for me to type.  Even my ability to write a blog entry had dried up. 
It's taken over a week to get my head back into the place where it needs to be for things to start to flow.  All the ideas were there, so, I'm guessing that I was lucky that my head didn't explode.
I can only conclude from this, that I need to write every day.

8 comments:

  1. I find if I have an idea, my brain needs a bit to get it out. I'm sure it will start flowing for you again.

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  2. It's funny the way we all work differently Jenny. It's starting to flow again now that I'm writing daily :o)

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  3. I know what you mean! I've been revising all month. When I try to get back into writing mode, I find myself overly critical. It takes a while to warm up, so to speak. :)

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  4. Drink a Coke! ha ha. No, just kidding. I know how you feel. If I don't write every day, it's uber hard the next time I get to it.

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  5. Oh do I understand! I think my inner editor is on high alert, like I encourage him to be while I'm revising tons, and I can't seem to turn him off to write! Especially when it's been a while since I've written. Sigh.

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  6. Oh man - I hate when that happens. I am just getting ready to dive back into my WIP after taking a break to finish some schoolwork (BLAH) and I'm sure this exact thing will happen. *cringe* I'm hoping I can bust through it, but I agree - you are completely right!

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  7. Oh yes, that can definitely happen! Just get right back into it and you'll recover.

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  8. Carrie - That's exactly it. It takes a bit of work to let go again.

    Erin - Good plan. I take it you have shares in Coke Zero ;o)

    Peggy - I think I need to lock my inner editor away in one of th emany rooms you theorised about.

    Leigh (Abby) - It doesn't take too long, it's just frustrating getting there.

    E.D. - Thanks. I'm much more in the flow today :o)

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