Getting Out Of The Mood?

SouthernFriedJulie · Apr 23, 2009

I've had my fiction novels on hold for well over a year because I needed to bring in money to support the family. Lately though, my MC's have been screaming to be released. It is crazy, I'll be doing something mundane and then I begin having all sorts of conversations between characters or visualizing scenes.

My works are very dark, quite a far cry from the non-fiction I work on. I'm a little afraid. I'm sure you know what I mean about when you find yourself getting lost in a story. Hell, in this case it is more like being kidnapped.

So now I'm listening to all the music that I did when first working on these. Doing other things as well, almost like getting in character for an acting role. What I'd like to know is not how to get in the mood to write, but how you pull yourself out of your world to re-connect when you need to. Any tips or tricks? I'd appreciate them!

Bukarella · Apr 23, 2009

The only thing that works for me is setting writing goals...
You HAVE TO write 1,000 words by the end of today. Go write. Come back when you are finished.

The End.

(Does that help?

)

By the way, even when I dont' meet my goal, I still can say I make progress. Every single day! And that feels good.

Manix · Apr 23, 2009

I work out sometimes to "get in the zone," or wait until everyone else is asleep, then creep down to my computer, when it's really quiet. Then I crank up the music in my headphones and get to work.

GordonK · Apr 23, 2009

I have also put my WIP on hold for several months after attending to RL issues. It was very hard to get started again. I turned to web surfing, playing games, watching TV (yuck), everything but write.

I started thinking about my story, in particular the MC. I started to relate him to most things and persons I encounter. I had him in my head most of the time, for a few days. And then, I fired up Word to give it a try. I couldn't stop.

Just give it a try, a chance. If you still don't feel like writing that story, write something else. Keep on, and I bet you can't stop.

fringle · Apr 23, 2009

I completely understand. While I was working my WIP out in my head, I was a walking zombie. My MC's a good person, but she's going to wander down the wrong path and it's going to lead her to some tough times, so much so, that I don't think she'll get a true happy ending. And it makes me sad. For me though, the only cure is to think less about writing and actually do more writing. I find that when I hit my writing goal for the day, I can close my computer and leave my characters behind enough so that I can get through the rest of the day almost like a normal human being. If I don't write, they fill my head and pull me down.

Maryn · Apr 23, 2009

I get out of the dark zone (my WIP isn't all rainbows, either) by connecting with a family member. Hug a kid and demand to see his tummy (or later, call him at college), joke with the quiet-funny one, kiss Mr. Maryn, reread the card from Aunt Ruby... These things place me back in my perfectly pleasant--well, more pleasant than I deserve, probably--real world, away from abuse, betrayal, blood, and loss.

Oddly, reading, movies, and TV do not remove me from the darkness. It's got to be warm human contact of some kind.

Maryn, hardly a people person

Aggy B. · Apr 23, 2009

I usually try to do something relaxing to transition out of writing mode (and my fictional world).

- washing the dishes
- taking a brief walk
- drinking a cup of tea/getting a snack

Of course, that's not always an option. Writing goals do help a little in getting that "now I've finished for the day" feeling.

When none of that works I usually just threaten my characters and promise mayhem if they don't sit down and shut up.

SouthernFriedJulie · Apr 23, 2009

Thanks for the tips! Suddenly I am finding the kids are breaking the mood and I'm trying not to get snippy. Argh. It's the MC making the normal cranky turn even worse.

You guys rock.

Rushie · Apr 23, 2009

I had this problem with my other work. It was very dark. The MC was extremely troubled and I would "get in character" as you describe, listening to the music that defines him, and it would stay with me 24 hours a day. I was downright emo. It was actually counterproductive to my writing. I need to connect with the emotion to write, but I can't get so lost in it that I become the character... this character is so messed up he could never write a novel. So I had to pull back. I had to disconnect again from the emotion and write from the memory of it more than wallowing in it. I did this by not listening to the music and by just thinking and doing other things while I wasn't writing, just make myself not think about the MC at all times. Easier said than done but maybe what it amounts to is after a while I get bored with being him 24/7 and my mind gets over it. Don't know if that makes sense?

Feidb · Apr 23, 2009

I've never had a problem switching back and forth. I'm just not wired that way, kind of like an actor that gets too hung up in their role.

To compare it to acting, I'd be the guy able to instantly switch between the character and reality in an instant. Where some actors would live and breathe that role in an almost unhealthy obsession.

Manix · Apr 23, 2009

SouthernFriedJulie said:
What I'd like to know is not how to get in the mood to write, but how you pull yourself out of your world to re-connect when you need to. Any tips or tricks? I'd appreciate them!

Oh, hey, Jules. I am so sorry. I misread this. I have no idea what to suggest for re-connecting. I guess I'm just already too connected and busy with family and RL on a regular basis that getting lost in my writing has never been a problem. It's the reverse for me.

Sorry about that. I'll just leave quietly now and let some other people answer who can actually read the question... :e2hammer:

MumblingSage · Apr 23, 2009

SouthernFriedJulie said:
I've had my fiction novels on hold for well over a year because I needed to bring in money to support the family. Lately though, my MC's have been screaming to be released. It is crazy, I'll be doing something mundane and then I begin having all sorts of conversations between characters or visualizing scenes.

My works are very dark, quite a far cry from the non-fiction I work on. I'm a little afraid. I'm sure you know what I mean about when you find yourself getting lost in a story. Hell, in this case it is more like being kidnapped.

So now I'm listening to all the music that I did when first working on these. Doing other things as well, almost like getting in character for an acting role. What I'd like to know is not how to get in the mood to write, but how you pull yourself out of your world to re-connect when you need to. Any tips or tricks? I'd appreciate them!

Pulling yourself out? I might not be the best advisor on that--I'm notoriously in constant contact with my characters--but what helps me get back to the 'real world' is doing something active, perferably outside my house. Shopping. Going to dinner. Movies. A walk around the park. Something like that.

Reconnecting generally happens naturally when I sit back down to a notebook or the computer.

TheIT · Apr 23, 2009

Read a book or watch TV or a movie, preferably something which contrasts with what I'm writing. If I immerse myself in someone else's story, I can disconnect from my own.

RavenCorinnCarluk · Apr 23, 2009

I don't. If I'm locked into a real writing mode, I just keep going.

Makes up for all the days I can't make myself get into the mood.

bsolah · Apr 23, 2009

jodiodi · Apr 23, 2009

I'm having the opposite problem. I can't get into my characters/novel. My writing is usually feast or famine. And I always have decent ideas just before I fall asleep, then can't remember them when I wake up.

Sirion · Apr 23, 2009

bsolah said:
Sex.

Where?

bsolah · Apr 23, 2009

Anywhere.

jodiodi · Apr 24, 2009

Someone please slap me so I can get back to writing. I always have something else I'd rather do and never think of anything to write until I'm drifting into deep sleep. I think, "I'll remember that" but I never do.

BlueLucario · Apr 24, 2009

Did you try reading some fiction? Or at least watch some good movies?
That should get you pumped into writing.

MumblingSage · Apr 24, 2009

jodiodi said:
I'm having the opposite problem. I can't get into my characters/novel. My writing is usually feast or famine. And I always have decent ideas just before I fall asleep, then can't remember them when I wake up.

A notebook by the bed helps with that. I've managed some okay writing at night, even though I'm doing it by feel because I'm near-blind without contact lenses.

Etola · Apr 24, 2009

I've found in the past that when I get too hung up on the fictional world my mind is pulling me into, the best thing I can do is actually do the writing. Writing actually gets it out onto the page and outside of me. It's when I haven't been writing enough that the emotions start bottlenecking and I have trouble focusing on RL.

I mean, check out my signature quote. Pretty much sums it up

Getting Out Of The Mood?

Hidin' the bodies

Mutatis mutandis

always abroad

I Tried

Not as sweet as you think

Hidin' the bodies

Been Here A While

Mutatis mutandis

Inarticulate Herb

Infuriatingly Theoretical

Burgeoning Writer

AW's Resident Commie

Reflections of Reality

practical experience, FTW

AW's Resident Commie

Reflections of Reality

Blood Elves FTW

Inarticulate Herb

Still looking for stars...