Tiring Obsession

egem · Nov 14, 2005

I'm working on a novel now, and it seems to fill my every waking hour. I am having trouble sleeping (not unusual). I think about it at work, at home, everywhere. The characters haunt me. I usually do not like to "think out" what is going to happen in the work, but the images and people in this novel are so vivid to me. I really don't want to point to this as a problem. I love writing. This is why we all do it I'm sure, but has anyone else found it exhausting at times?

I need a break from the "haunting." I'm only 3 chapters into this one is getting a little crippling. Anyone else have this problem? Have you found anyway to deal with it?

Yeah writing it leaps to mind, and I am. However every word I write makes me live inside this work all the more.

Jamesaritchie · Nov 14, 2005

Obsession

egem said:
I'm working on a novel now, and it seems to fill my every waking hour. I am having trouble sleeping (not unusual). I think about it at work, at home, everywhere. The characters haunt me. I usually do not like to "think out" what is going to happen in the work, but the images and people in this novel are so vivid to me. I really don't want to point to this as a problem. I love writing. This is why we all do it I'm sure, but has anyone else found it exhausting at times?

I need a break from the "haunting." I'm only 3 chapters into this one is getting a little crippling. Anyone else have this problem? Have you found anyway to deal with it?

Yeah writing it leaps to mind, and I am. However every word I write makes me live inside this work all the more.

Sounds like a good thing, to me.

zeprosnepsid · Nov 14, 2005

I agree. I think it's important to remain passionate about the work. I get really into things when I start and then I lose interest and eventually drop it. But I think an obsession-filled first draft is a bit of a blessing.

mesh138 · Nov 14, 2005

When I get on a good streak, I call in sick for a week. I write ten hours a day, and sometimes forget to eat. I wouldn't complain about NOT having writer's block. If the wave is moving, ride it.

scarletpeaches · Nov 14, 2005

Better hope your boss doesn't read this!

emeraldcite · Nov 14, 2005

wish i could call off for a week.

SeanDSchaffer · Nov 14, 2005

mesh138 said:
When I get on a good streak, I call in sick for a week. I write ten hours a day, and sometimes forget to eat. I wouldn't complain about NOT having writer's block. If the wave is moving, ride it.

Aside from the calling in sick, that's just about what I've been doing for the last several days.

It's a good feeling, being haunted by a story instead of Writer's Block. A good feeling indeed.

Elijah Phoenix · Nov 14, 2005

I am going thru the same thing myself right now. It wears on you for sure.

I found that the best way to deal with it is to just sit down and write until your fingertips give out. I go until my fingers hurt too bad and then I spend alot of time editing. Keeps you into it.

I'm working on a manuscript titled "HUSTLING JESUS". It takes alot of shots at the Born Again movement. Prayer cloths for sale, prayer answers for sale, how to get rich,meal that heals, phony healing services, special words of knowledge. These guys are a bunch of hustlers out to make a buck. They seem to be mostly hustler and less preacher. Money changers. Motivational speakers selling Jesus instead of a real estate book.

I'm stressed out because I found a publisher that wants to look at it when I"m through. I know it will be very controversial. But it's true. Jesus never once preached that you need to be Born Again. He only said it once privately, to a Pharisee who came to contend with him at night. Somehow, it has become a major religion. Preachers who pretend to understand that mystery make over 100 million dollars a year selling books and gimics. Amazing. A sucker is born every minute.

I'm having visions of being the most hated man in America.

DamaNegra · Nov 14, 2005

I've never had something like that happen, but as long as it doesn't interfere too much with the rest of your life... that's not healthy either.

Sage · Nov 14, 2005

emeraldcite said:
wish i could call off for a week.

Amen!

Sage · Nov 14, 2005

My suggestion is to skip to whatever scene is haunting you particularly at the moment. You will find that getting it down will help, & if you're several scenes or chapters before that (on chapter three & envisioning the climax that day, for example), you have a long way to go before you get there if you go straight through. It will make it harder for you to focus on, not only the rest of your life, but also the rest of your story. If you skip to the part you're passionate about, though, you get it down on paper, which might quiet it a bit, let you move onto a new scene, & give you satisfaction that you've written this awesome part of your book ('cuz you know if it's haunting you, it's probably awesome).

AdamH · Nov 14, 2005

It's not unusual really. My wife asked me the other day if I'm always thinking about my novel even when I'm not writing it. I told her that I am. Which sort of begs the question: is it THAT obvious? Maybe I am staring out into nothingness with drool on my chin whenever I'm delving into a story.
It doesn't happen all the time. It gets really frustrating when I'm thinking about a story all the time but I get stuck on what happens next. But it's really envigourating when I know where the story is going and I'm just itching to put it on paper. A double-edged sword.

But write it down while the writin's good because at some point you may hit a block. Then the REAL "haunting" begins.

sanctuary6284 · Nov 14, 2005

This has been happening to me a lot too. In fact I find that I can't write fast enough to keep pace with my thoughts. My biggest problem is that when I dream I dream about my characters in situations elsewhere than my story. It can be really distracting when I go back to write and my mind's not in the same place I left off on paper.

Jamesaritchie · Nov 15, 2005

Elijah Phoenix said:
I am going thru the same thing myself right now. It wears on you for sure.

I found that the best way to deal with it is to just sit down and write until your fingertips give out. I go until my fingers hurt too bad and then I spend alot of time editing. Keeps you into it.

I'm working on a manuscript titled "HUSTLING JESUS". It takes alot of shots at the Born Again movement. Prayer cloths for sale, prayer answers for sale, how to get rich,meal that heals, phony healing services, special words of knowledge. These guys are a bunch of hustlers out to make a buck. They seem to be mostly hustler and less preacher. Money changers. Motivational speakers selling Jesus instead of a real estate book.

I'm stressed out because I found a publisher that wants to look at it when I"m through. I know it will be very controversial. But it's true. Jesus never once preached that you need to be Born Again. He only said it once privately, to a Pharisee who came to contend with him at night. Somehow, it has become a major religion. Preachers who pretend to understand that mystery make over 100 million dollars a year selling books and gimics. Amazing. A sucker is born every minute.

I'm having visions of being the most hated man in America.

Be careful. The born again Christians and those who sell prayer cloths and the like are not the same people. It's two very different movements. And, yes, Jesus did indeed teach that you need to be born again. You need to brush up on the Bible.

And even that "private conversation" is Biblical principle. It is the teaching of Jesus, which is reaffirmed in several other places.

KTC · Nov 15, 2005

It's become a cliche, but, BEEN THERE, DONE THAT. I put my characters into my life too, sort of as stalkers. Say I'm walking the dog when I should be sitting and writing...I put my characters in the trees, watching me. Creeps me right out too! My imagination sometimes frightens me! Anyway...I know exactly how you feel...I live my writing...it percolates all day long when you are trying to live your everyday existence. Hint...CARRY A PEN AND PAD. All the good stuff comes when you are doing the mundane!

SeanDSchaffer · Nov 15, 2005

Elijah Phoenix said:
I am going thru the same thing myself right now. It wears on you for sure.

I found that the best way to deal with it is to just sit down and write until your fingertips give out. I go until my fingers hurt too bad and then I spend alot of time editing. Keeps you into it.

I'm working on a manuscript titled "HUSTLING JESUS". It takes alot of shots at the Born Again movement. Prayer cloths for sale, prayer answers for sale, how to get rich,meal that heals, phony healing services, special words of knowledge. These guys are a bunch of hustlers out to make a buck. They seem to be mostly hustler and less preacher. Money changers. Motivational speakers selling Jesus instead of a real estate book.

I'm stressed out because I found a publisher that wants to look at it when I"m through. I know it will be very controversial. But it's true. Jesus never once preached that you need to be Born Again. He only said it once privately, to a Pharisee who came to contend with him at night. Somehow, it has become a major religion. Preachers who pretend to understand that mystery make over 100 million dollars a year selling books and gimics. Amazing. A sucker is born every minute.

I'm having visions of being the most hated man in America.

Good morning, Elijah Phoenix! Welcome to the AW boards; it's good to meet you.

I know you probably don't want to get the facts mixed up, so I thought I'd let you know that what you've described is not the so-called 'Born-again' movement. Rather, it is what many call the 'Faith' movement or sometimes the 'Charismatic' movement. It is not by any means the same as the 'Born-again' movement, and really has nothing to do with it.

I hope this helps you out with your work, and again, it's good to meet you.

egem · Nov 15, 2005

Umm, you guys mind not starting a holy war right in the middle of my thread?!

SeanDSchaffer · Nov 15, 2005

Sorry about that, Egem. I actually got on myself for it too, but I just figured Elijah would want the facts down straight.

I'll try not to do it again, Egem. My apologies.

Celia Cyanide · Nov 15, 2005

SeanDSchaffer said:
I know you probably don't want to get the facts mixed up, so I thought I'd let you know that what you've described is not the so-called 'Born-again' movement. Rather, it is what many call the 'Faith' movement or sometimes the 'Charismatic' movement. It is not by any means the same as the 'Born-again' movement, and really has nothing to do with it.

Aren't all Christians "Born Again"?

triceretops · Nov 15, 2005

I have to be the all time winner for losing sleep over characters and plot. I often wake up in a panic trying to remember some clever dialogue that I thought was pertinent to the book. I'm in this flux right now, and along with these terminally constant thoughts comes "Guilt" that I'm not doing enough, or that I'm putting it off. I think it's the sub-concious mind trying to help you solve a puzzle, and sometimes it gets in the way and screws things up. But if you're flying through a manuscript and your mind is clogged with nothing but the book, well, that is a great thing. It will only last as long as it takes you to come to the "End." Then, it will start all over again. Go with it, and take a break between books.

Tri

Pat~ · Nov 15, 2005

Jamesaritchie said:
Be careful. The born again Christians and those who sell prayer cloths and the like are not the same people. It's two very different movements. And, yes, Jesus did indeed teach that you need to be born again. You need to brush up on the Bible.

And even that "private conversation" is Biblical principle. It is the teaching of Jesus, which is reaffirmed in several other places.

Agreed. Jesus did teach that one needs to be born again (John 3:3-8). He was vehemently opposed to hustling in the name of religion, though. Don't forget how He overturned tables in the temple, and drove the moneychangers out, shouting, "How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!" (John 2:16). I am a born-againer who believes He says the same thing today to all who try to hustle 'religion', but who worship the dollar rather than God. (These hustlers are not just a phenomenon of today, either. The Roman Catholic church did the same when selling indulgences.)

Back on topic--when I wrote my book, thoughts of it were on my mind continually. But that was a good thing; I write much better when riding the wave. Just be sure you take time for breaks, especially some physical exercise or sleep as needed. That will keep you from wearing out mentally. I found it helpful to keep a tablet handy, too, so I could jot down ideas that came to me when I wasn't actively writing it; that way I could put it out of my mind when I needed to.

NeuroFizz · Nov 15, 2005

mesh138 said:
When I get on a good streak, I call in sick for a week. I write ten hours a day, and sometimes forget to eat. I wouldn't complain about NOT having writer's block. If the wave is moving, ride it.

Here's the all time secret for taking that mental health day off work. It's called the Diarrhea Day. If you call it in, (1) you will have no problem with acceptance of the day off, and (2) no one will bother you about it once you return. So, don't whisper it, say it boldly, and have your day...

It even applies to writing since the general definition of diarrhea is "flowing through." You can use your diarrhea day to allow your writing to flow through at a rapid rate.

My only caution, Egem, is to hold a little emotion back for mid-book. Too many people burn so much of their fuel early in a book, the mid-book slump consumes them. You don't want to get flushed by burnout. Otherwise, full speed ahead to "the end."

SeanDSchaffer · Nov 15, 2005

NeuroFizz said:
Snipped....

My only caution, Egem, is to hold a little emotion back for mid-book. Too many people burn so much of their fuel early in a book, the mid-book slump consumes them. You don't want to get flushed by burnout. Otherwise, full speed ahead to "the end."

Agreed. I'm in the middle of my Third Draft and the mid-book slump is beginning to take shape within me. I've gone from writing four chapters a day, to not writing at all yesterday, so definitely, Egem, be sure to set aside some of that emotion for the middle portion of your book.

debraji · Nov 15, 2005

Since a book-length draft is a marathon, not a sprint, you need to pace yourself. You don't want to burn out. After all, do you want to write just one book, or have a writing career? If you want a career, then you need to work out some sort of balance that allows for your obsession within the framework of a functioning life.

Take care of yourself physically: get outdoors, get exercise, get rest, eat right, don't overdo the caffeine, etc.

And take care of yourself mentally. Don't trash your relationships. Do the occasional writing-sprint, but don't overdo it. Allow for some play time.

Obsession with the work in progress is a good thing if it fuels the momentum you need to carry the work through to the end. But you need to keep one foot in the real world and one foot in your imaginary world.

Ack!--this sounds like a lecture. Sorry. Take what's useful to you.

Tiring Obsession

egem

Jamesaritchie

zeprosnepsid

mesh138

scarletpeaches

emeraldcite

Art is Resistance

SeanDSchaffer

Elijah Phoenix

DamaNegra

Mexican on the loose!

Sage

Our Lady of Parentheticals

Sage

Our Lady of Parentheticals

AdamH

Pumped Up Kicks

sanctuary6284

Mental Supernova

Jamesaritchie

KTC

Stand in the Place Where You Live

SeanDSchaffer

egem

SeanDSchaffer

Celia Cyanide

Joker Groupie

triceretops

Pat~

Luftmensch Emeritus, A.D.D.

NeuroFizz

The grad students did it

SeanDSchaffer

debraji