Getting Back on the Horse

Download Writer's Cafe portable version (http://www.writerscafe.co.uk/mobile.htm) on a USB key. It's free for the demo version. Plan on using the "Writing Prompt" feature once a day. It generates a random premise and starts a 15 mins clock. So you have 15 minutes to write a small scene with that premise.

I do this when I'm travelling. Keeps me brains sharp. Hotels have computers for rent and a USB key is not encumbering the luggage.

-cb

Write scenes just for fun, or a paragraph at a time. Read a book so awful you're compelled to do better!

Todd, are you going to pick up an old ms or start something new? I'd go back and reread something I'd written that I particularly liked.

I've been sailing in that boat for over a year now Todd. The only thing I've written and finished is a 3150 word short story that HJ seems to think is great. Well, I actually like it too. It made the short list for the AW spec-fic anthology.

Come December*, when I have time to write again I'll do one thing to get sharp: Write More! And don't stop.

Actually, my biggest problem is that I'll write 2-3k in a day and then I'm "too mentally tired" to write again for a day or two. Some times 3-4 days will pass.

I'm not going to let that be an excuse anymore. It'll be 1k a day 5-6 days a week whether I like it or not. I figure if I want writing to be my job, then I have to write like writing is my job.


*Sadly, December is the month where I'll have to visit family and be on the road for about 10 days, so I'll make excuses to not write my quota. I'll be sure to factor this in to my goals. There is no sense in starting off with a failure.

That's another thing I think is important. Look ahead and see what is/can distract you in the near future and then let it. Just don't let anything else!

At least, that's my plan!

Hey Todd--

You're a coach. How do you motivate your athletes to dig a little deeper to run that last lap, work through the next drill, or keep it going in scorching heat or freezing temps? Plenty of those kids would give it up without the motivation that you give them. Hey, maybe a morning pep talk in the mirror might crank up the desire. I relate to both you and Doc on this. It's like exercising the body. Once you stop, it's hard to get going again with the same desire.

You put one foot in front of the other. I know, that's soooo helpful isn't. .

I start tomorrow after a walk on my treadmill for a half hour. I will sit down while I am invigorated and write. I'm doing NaNo this year. I don't care if it's good. I'm just going to flex my writerly fingertips and go for it.

heyjude said:

Todd, are you going to pick up an old ms or start something new? I'd go back and reread something I'd written that I particularly liked.

Click to expand...

This is what I do. I always go back through and read what I've already finished (or an old MS) to get back in the swing. Reading it always makes me want to write.

DocBrown said:

Actually, my biggest problem is that I'll write 2-3k in a day and then I'm "too mentally tired" to write again for a day or two. Some times 3-4 days will pass.

I'm not going to let that be an excuse anymore. It'll be 1k a day 5-6 days a week whether I like it or not. I figure if I want writing to be my job, then I have to write like writing is my job.

Click to expand...

The same thing happens to me, Doc. I'll get a really good day of writing in, and then it's a mental hiatus. There has to be a good way around it (aside from flogging one's self to write again anyway). Although I wrote a lot last night and feel capable of more today. We'll see what happens once I actually have time to tend to it. Maybe headstands would help...

I'm in that boat, too. Haven't written much of anything for months, but it's time to get back to it. I have 5k words done and random notes about the plot, just sitting there waiting for me. Some call it "a start" but I call it pressure.

I think the thing to do, Todd, is make a cup of coffee, go sit wherever you have NO distractions, and bully yourself into starting. Once the juices flow, you'll be in writing heaven. Hopefully.

MTS isn't my genre, but I'm just sticking my head round the door to shout, "NaNo!" before leaving.

Where's the run-screaming-from-the-room smiley? sp scared me.

Mine is lack of time. A baby in the house 24/7 at 54 can be tiring. Not that my daughter isn't doing most of it, she is. Its just different. (Plus a friend of hers is staying with us again.) So I've been focusing on things (non-fic) that I have to get done but not fiction which is so much more fun .....so.........I'm going to skip those historical real people for thirty days and all their nit picky facts---and play God with a few random characters.

To cure my stagnation I'm doing NaNoWriMo again. I'm going to just start and go with it. I give myself permission to write total crap even. Just to get back in the swing of things, the discipline to get back to fiction between my non-fic stuff. The craziness of NaNo is so fun. I need a little insanity to make me feel sane.

So that is what I suggest. Write with complete abandon for 30 days, don't stop to think too much about it, and don't worry about the results--just write like mad to loosen up again.

P.S. I see Scarlet beat me to it, so ya.... simply... NaNo.

Todd, I've been in a similar situation (still am) & here's what I did. First I substantially revised a historical crime story that never sold & submitted it to a pro market. Of course, it didn't sell, but it did bring a personal R. I sent the story out again the next day. Then I subbed a couple of reprints & am waiting to hear back on those while I work on my next story. HTH.

It's been several months for me, too. I'm about 1/2 into my cozy mystery and just stopped. Hit a wall. Even though I work full time, I do have enough personal time to write, I just wasn't doing it. Thought about it, went to my writing group every week, read posts here, did everything but pick up the ms again.

And then this fall I decided to take an algebra class at the local college in addition to working full time ... I need to make a career change so more schooling is necessary.

I want to write ... want to finish the novel ... I'm going to read back through it and see what's salvageable. Then try to pick it up again in a few spare minutes here and there.

Good luck to you! I hope you find the saddle comfortable and your path ahead well illuminated.