Kick me!

mtrenteseau · Jul 8, 2010

For the last couple weeks, I haven't written anything, and I haven't sent out any queries on the finished manuscript.

I wouldn't call it "writer's block," as I've made some notes, outlined some ideas, and come up with some really good Lines of the Day. But I'm not getting anywhere.

I need a good, swift, motivational kick.

heyjude · Jul 9, 2010

How about a "Go easy on yourself!" instead? We all have moments. Weeks, even months. Give yourself permission to take two weeks off. Two weeks, no writing, no Qing, nothing. Sit back, relax, read a good book, watch some trashy TV.

By the end of the two weeks you'll be ready to roll.

ToddWBush · Jul 9, 2010

mtrenteseau,

I haven't written anything substantial (meaning more than about 200 words on a edit of a short story) in about two months. Ask heyjude, she has told me many times that taking a break doesn't mean you are quitting. Doesn't mean you need to get kicked. It means you need to recharge. Your life is in the way, you are tired, whatever it is. Your mind needs to recharge itself and then you'll be back and ready to go.

Namatu · Jul 9, 2010

ToddWBush said:
Ask heyjude, she has told me many times that taking a break doesn't mean you are quitting. Doesn't mean you need to get kicked. It means you need to recharge. Your life is in the way, you are tired, whatever it is. Your mind needs to recharge itself and then you'll be back and ready to go.

This!

I won't mention how long it's been since I seriously sat down and wrote anything. I'm in withdrawal recovery now.

nitaworm · Jul 9, 2010

Here are some tips for just this situation.
-Beta read someone else's work. It's a way to jump start you.
-Join a critique group. Sometimes this will get you back on the bandwagon.
-Write anyway, you'll have to edit it all dozens of times before its done anyways and writing through a hard spot will move you on to other story eliments.
-Take a class

If you want more of this, check out my blog post on this, Writing Through the Rough Spots

Namatu · Jul 9, 2010

One thing I've tried: Write something for fun. Consider it a short story or your "rules schmules" book and just have fun. Who cares if it makes sense? If you need a prompt, I'm sure the lovely people here will offer up numerous outrageous suggestions. (They must be outrageous. It contributes to the fun.)

mtrenteseau · Jul 9, 2010

Namatu said:
(They must be outrageous. It contributes to the fun.)

First of all, thank you to everyone for your encouragement, even if it's encouraging me not to be worried about not writing.

I actually had an outrageous idea this morning - I'm on several mailing lists for Broadway tickets, and I got announcements for Promises, Promises and Race. One is a lighthearted romantic comedy set in the early 60s, the other is about a white man accused of raping a black woman and the two attorneys (one white, one black) who have to defend him.

So I had the idea to write a play set at a black-owned insurance company in New York in the early 60s. The characters would have their own personal and romantic problems, but there would be an underlying motif of the gathering storm of the civil rights movement.

heyjude · Jul 9, 2010

mtrenteseau said:
First of all, thank you to everyone for your encouragement, even if it's encouraging me not to be worried about not writing.

This makes it sound like you actually wanted beaten. So: :whip:

auntybug · Jul 9, 2010

Always willing to help a fellow writer. Will a *itch slap do?

mtrenteseau · Jul 9, 2010

heyjude said:
This makes it sound like you actually wanted beaten. So:

Actually, my second book has a subplot involving an S&M club... but I prefer to do my research in a manner that doesn't leave bruising.

backslashbaby · Jul 9, 2010

Whap!!!! Get to it, you!!

mtrenteseau · Jul 9, 2010

backslashbaby said:
Whap!!!! Get to it, you!!

Yes, Mistress!

(I think that's what one says.)

I just made some edits that a beta reader sent me a week and a half ago. She's a technical writer, so she's been very helpful in making my descriptions of the main character in his office sound more like the methodical process that you know is going through his overly organized brain.

Kick me!

mtrenteseau

Mild-mannered accountant by day...

heyjude

Making my own sunshine

ToddWBush

Namatu

Lost in mental space.

nitaworm

AW Addict

Namatu

Lost in mental space.

mtrenteseau

Mild-mannered accountant by day...

heyjude

Making my own sunshine

auntybug

teh other evil broad

mtrenteseau

Mild-mannered accountant by day...

backslashbaby

*

mtrenteseau

Mild-mannered accountant by day...

Kick me!

Mild-mannered accountant by day...

Making my own sunshine

Lost in mental space.

AW Addict

Lost in mental space.

Mild-mannered accountant by day...

Making my own sunshine

teh other evil broad

Mild-mannered accountant by day...

~~~~*~~~~

Mild-mannered accountant by day...

*