When I left for vacation over a week ago, I'd written 50,000 words on my new book. I was excited to see it finished. Then I spent a week with family: dance classes, soccer and watching my daughter juggle a busy schedule.
As usual, when I returned, I took a hard look at my own life. What are my goals? What purpose do I have? Why am I writing? Will I ever be good enough? Will I be a one-book-wonder author? Does what I do really mean anything at all? Do I still like it enough to finish this book and then maybe have it rejected like my last one?
As you can tell, I tend to get a little melodramatic.
Most writers do at one time or another. We envision ourselves on a wave of writing success and crashing down periodically. Waiting on the next wave.
I guess that's where I'm at right now. Rowing my boat trying to catch the next wave so I can finish my book and let God take it where it should go--on my shelf or on a bookshelf in a store.
I've always read that you don't wait for inspiration to appear to write. Just write. That's why this blog post.
Already I feel the water rising, lifting me back onto a wave.
17 comments:
I'm walking the same path. Life got busy, and my motivation dipped. (Plus, my personal motivator went on vacation.) So I got busy writing other things. It's writing, so it's kinda like exercise for the brain.
You will finish this book because it's what you do. You are an author. You write books. This mood will pass.
It's interesting to see where our minds take us sometimes, isn't it? Sorting out similar thoughts and questions for my life and writing. One thing I do know is that God is still on the throne, and He has a wonderful plan and purpose for us. :) Cheering you on as you catch that wave!
I've experienced this as well. Give yourself the time you need and want between projects. Sometimes we need to refresh and get space. Best of luck!
I read recently the best antidote for writer's block is simply to sit down and write. It works for me. When the only thing I am concentrating on is the work (and not whether it will sell, etc), it's so engrossing. It gets me up in the middle of the night. It's a consuming fire.
I'm glad you wrote this blog post, and I hope the increased interest in writing will carry over into your work.
I think we all hit those periods. I agree with what you said: you can't wait for the inspiration to hit. Keep writing! :)
You describe me to a tee here! Yes, the answer is keep writing. May we both have more creative waves coming our way!
I signed up for and paid for a writing course. Now, I am in a panic. I think I can never be the writer others in the class are. I think it's a waste of time to write. I am shooting myself in the foot!
You are a great writer. You will find your groove. Sometimes after a vacation, it takes some doing just to get back to life. Give yourself a breather. Soon you will be cranking things out again.
Having just returned from a week-long vacation myself, I completely understand. It takes awhile to get back into the "groove" and return to writing, but rest assured, you will return. :)
Hi Terri. Yup. Just write. I wish there were a way for you and your hubs to move closer to your daughter. Life is so short. Spending time with grands is sooooo important. No chance? Susan
Sounds like the typical writer doubts but I'm sure once you get back into the routine and the story, those doubts will evaporate, at least for a time.
I'm blowing your sails from over here Terri to give you a boost! Hope it doesn't lose momentum whilst travelling across the Atlantic. And don't worry about those 'little gremlins', they don't stay around for long. Just listen to the positive words (and winds) being blown your way. You can do it!! To get back into the swing, you could write about your holidays - I'm sure you have a comical story or two to tell :) Wishing you all the best.
Yep, there's a lot to be said for just writing. And keep writing. It's what we love to do: to express ourselves and our understanding of the world in words.
As a writer, I would say it is just fine to get melodramatic. Without feeling deeply, and diving in deeply to life, would we be able to write authentically? I believe that we can 'act ourselves into a feeling.' We may not feel like writing, but just the act of it gets up back to wanting to do it again! This post resonated with me today as I haven't been writing, caught up in other activities that have been very fruitful. However, started to feel like I am losing the writing muscle, so picked up a pen today and wrote in my journal for the first time in months. I may be weak, but just the act of starting grows the muscle again. And you are very strong!
Hi Terri! I hope this comment finds you riding a high wave, and writing like crazy!
When you started off, I thought you were going to say that you reread your words and hated them. I've done that! Ugh. What a gift to reread and be happy with what you have!
Keep rowing, and catching that wave :)
Ceil
I've watched a few surfers. When the water is calm they rest and catch their breath- restore their strength. Then they are ready when a wave rolls in.
Take a day to write some of the fun you had with your grands- esp if you do it in a mini story style or in a letter and send it to them. It will make their day as well as prime the pump for you to get back to your book.
My writers brain was numbed by five hours of anesthesia and a death in the family but I wrote a blog and my brain is waking up.
Wax your board, Terri, the tide is coming in.
I gave up writing books and trying to market them. Loved writing them but the marketing was too difficult after 5 years of trying. Now I'm focused on other things: blogs, poetry, service and family. I do sell a few books now and then on kindle where I have two of my five books as e-books and my blog lists all of them for sale....it's a new stage of life for me. But then I am 75 and want to use each day to its fullest....good luck with your writing....
Boy, do I agree with everyone here, Terri. This happens to me as well--a lot! Thinking positively, paddling up to catch that next wave is all we can do at times. Believe in yourself, my dear, for there is no one else like you in all the world. Keep writing until it makes sense.
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