OOps, sorry but all the time. My trouble is A: getting it to shut up - I can’t, I have to empty it also B: - the hardest part - making sense of what I have. It can literally take years. I still get lines cropping up from childhood/teens that suddenly make sense. Some might suggest my technique is flawed, disorganised - but how many of us get a hint of an idea - and no sooner do we poise over keyboard/grasp pen/open voice recorder - than a wall shoots up.
Trying to get round it is like bad magic, drawing you off the task in hand. And, nuisance that bloody goody two shoes magic is, it’s a bit like courting. Don’t let them know you’re interested. I think of it as a cat sometimes. Don’t make eye contact and let them come to you.
Hmm. Yeah, I step away and watch football to relax 🤔
Then, soon enough, on days like today, I’m sprinting back to my desk as sitting, not being able to write, is far more preferable to that 😁
Seriously though, I have taken a break this week. Just been polishing my article for tomorrow and not much else, and now I have ideas for 4 new stories which I’ll try and pull together over the next few days so stepping away can work out 👍🏼
Hemingway also gave a tip re: Stop writing before you want to. Make coming back to a piece a joy, not a labor. That helps me!
I wrote something similar in another comment! I usually don't write on weekends, even if its going well. By Monday, I'm desperate to get going again!
For me deciding to write isn’t an option. It lets me know. Often times while probing for the curious I overlook the obvious, too.
Does this happen often? If so, I'm jealous!
OOps, sorry but all the time. My trouble is A: getting it to shut up - I can’t, I have to empty it also B: - the hardest part - making sense of what I have. It can literally take years. I still get lines cropping up from childhood/teens that suddenly make sense. Some might suggest my technique is flawed, disorganised - but how many of us get a hint of an idea - and no sooner do we poise over keyboard/grasp pen/open voice recorder - than a wall shoots up.
Trying to get round it is like bad magic, drawing you off the task in hand. And, nuisance that bloody goody two shoes magic is, it’s a bit like courting. Don’t let them know you’re interested. I think of it as a cat sometimes. Don’t make eye contact and let them come to you.
I'm not so jealous now; this sounds like it'd be too much for me 😂🙈
This is a good reminder. Sometimes I'll give myself a day or two when I'm really truly stuck. That usually fixes it.
Hows your novella going Leigh?
Thanks for asking!
I'm nearing the end of Chapter 2. Currently editing another piece for publication, but I'll go back to the novella once I'm done with that.
Good stuff! How many chapters are you planning?
Maybe 10-12, but I'll have to play it by ear.
I try not to write at all on weekends if I can help it, even when things are going well. By Monday, I'm usually desperate to write again.
Hmm. Yeah, I step away and watch football to relax 🤔
Then, soon enough, on days like today, I’m sprinting back to my desk as sitting, not being able to write, is far more preferable to that 😁
Seriously though, I have taken a break this week. Just been polishing my article for tomorrow and not much else, and now I have ideas for 4 new stories which I’ll try and pull together over the next few days so stepping away can work out 👍🏼
I only watched the last 15 mins today! Opted for writing instead, and glad I did! 🤣🙈
You must have been our lucky charm cause the other 75 minutes were dreadful! 😁
For once, the international break has come at a good time
When the words aren’t flowing I like to step away for 20 mins and exercise. Afterwards, the extra blood flow seems to jolt the writer brain awake.
Nice! And you've done your workout for the day too 👌🏻