Of all the months to be in a Writing Rut

Sunshine13 · Nov 3, 2006

OK, sorry if this isn't in the correct thread, but :Headbang:

I can't seem to write anything! I'm stuck! And when I sit and stare at my monitor, a million other things pop into my head. :e2smack:

Of all the months, too. What do you do when you're in a rut? I don't know if this qualifies for writer's block. I know what my chapter will be about, but I can't seem to muster the energy, or mere motivation to get going. It doesn't help that I just got over a nasty stomach virus. Even more reason to be lathargic....

Ol' Fashioned Girl · Nov 3, 2006

If I get stuck, I pick another scene to work on - one that I've been looking forward to doing... might be in the current WIP, might be in another one. Or, I might tap one of my online writing buddies from the ol' RPG days and say, "Feel like takin' her for a spin?"

But, sometimes, nothing works and I'm. Just. Stuck. for a bit.

maddythemad · Nov 3, 2006

When I'm stuck writing, I try to get busy doing something-- today I cooked a three-course meal for my family (homemade bread, soup, chicken, and pumpkin pie-- yummm. :tongue

) Usually that will put me in a better mood to write. Who knows why.

Sunshine13 · Nov 3, 2006

Hm, any left overs?

It's been a week, maybe even two, since I left my WIP alone. I have turned to the ol' RPG's. And, I have so many other things going on involving holiday stuff. Maybe I'll watch a movie tonight, and start this weekend. Like, tomorrow night! Perhaps I just need to stop being such a pansy and DO IT.

jpserra · Nov 3, 2006

Tons of ways...

ChristaCarol13 said:
OK, sorry if this isn't in the correct thread, but I can't seem to write anything! ...my chapter will be about, but I can't seem to muster the energy, or mere motivation to get going. It doesn't help that I just got over a nasty stomach virus. Even more reason to be lathargic....

Well there are tons of suggestions for getting writing, but mine is to write what comes up. If the only things that come up are the daily grind, then write about them. Journal, if you have to. But write something. Everyday. For a specified amount of time. Even if it crap.

I went the better part of 10 years without being able to write a cogent story. It hurt after a while. Write something.

John Serra

Mr. Funktastic · Nov 3, 2006

I observe things. When I can't write and I'm out and about, I look at different things and figure out what about them sparks my interest. That usually ignites the creativity fire, and I find it easier to write.

Éclairer · Nov 4, 2006

kpmcneil22 said:
I have the same "rut" policy with writing that I have with the gym. I do it for 30 minutes (with a timer if necessary) and if it's still not working for me, I move on to something else. But I always make an attempt. Usually, somewhere in those 30 minutes, I have a little break-thru and end up going for quite a bit longer. On the days that I hit 30 minutes and am just not up for continuing, I call it a mental-health day and move on to something else.

Good luck.

I like that. I should try it. I usually just sit there. For hours. Not entirely productive, but if I go and do something else, I feel like I'm betraying my book. My book owns me.

Éclairer · Nov 4, 2006

Mr. Funktastic said:
I observe things. When I can't write and I'm out and about, I look at different things and figure out what about them sparks my interest. That usually ignites the creativity fire, and I find it easier to write.

I've taken up bird-watching. I saw a cormorant eat a fish yesterday. Whole. Not such a pretty picture, but interesting.

WackAMole · Nov 4, 2006

I read something by an author I really like OR I grab a glass of merlot and a clove and go outside at night and stare at the stars LOL

If the buzz (from the fact that im not a regular smoker anymore) doesnt inspire me..just the pure beauty of a quiet night does!

I have this little drawer where I have a pack of cloves, a book by Patricia Cornwell and a book of poetry that belonged to my grandmother. There is something about hording that indulgence for moments of desperation thats really inspirational for me LOL

aadams73 · Nov 4, 2006

Take a mental health day and go and do something you normally wouldn't do.

Neeli · Nov 4, 2006

Do some research. I seem to write some of my best stuff when I'm inspired by something interesting I've read on the internet: ancient bridges in China, poisonous trees of North America, bhang vendors in India, names for types wind across the world. Of course I was one of those strange kids who would sit and read encyclopedias for hours on end.

I also read things like National Geographic, Smithsonian, Scientific American. These are usually well-written and give you lots of good ideas for things to write--though I realize you are looking for motivation, not subject matter. My point is that it is time well-spent when you can't write because it gives you background for when you do write.

Besides these ideas, I pick up a book about writing, kill time here, or read a novel.

Simon Woodhouse · Nov 4, 2006

If I'm stuck and don't feel like I can write, I force myself to do it. If I walk away I know it'll be ten times harder to come back. Also, I look at writing as a job (even though I've hardly earned anything yet). How many other jobs allow you to have time off just because you don't feel like working?

If I were in the army, I guess I'd be one of those manic drill sergeants who scream at the recruits to keep going around the obstacle course. That's what I'm like with myself when I don't feel like writing. I've also noticed the stuff that's the hardest to write often turns out to be the best to read. Maybe when it's difficult I'm trying my best, and therefore producing good work.

PeeDee · Nov 4, 2006

For some authors, "I hafta" is the death stroke of writing whereas "I wanna" isn't.

M'self, I love deadlines. "I hafta" means "I hafta cause someone's waiting" and I write better like that.

Am I correct in assuming you're doing NaNo? Perhaps you're trying to push your brain into writing, because you only have a month, but your brain simply isn't ready yet.

All those fun things people suggested are all great ideas. Wait until your idea -- and your scenes -- start to really wow you, then go write. You'll do it better and faster than if you sit here trying to force something out.

Bartholomew · Nov 4, 2006

Someone on Nano hit 8000 words already.

Booo!

I mean, uh, Yaaay!

Allynegirl · Nov 6, 2006

Bartholomew said:
Someone on Nano hit 8000 words already.

Booo!

I mean, uh, Yaaay!

That's just heart wrenching ... um, er ... I mean inspirational!

*guilted into opening my WIP and get moving on protag's motivation*

janetbellinger · Nov 6, 2006

I do the same as others have suggested. I abandon writing for a bit and do another creative activity

badducky · Nov 6, 2006

If you can't write good, don't. Set out to write the corniest, funniest, stupidest worst-written piece of tripe on the planet. Get it all out of your system.

Then, get drunk. Smoke something. Kick something heavy.

Then, get your BiC again, and get back to work. Even if you can only squeeze one sentence out, of anything resembling quality that's one sentence closer to your end result.

Also, I notice that when my quality wanes, the amount of reading I've been doing lately also has been waning. Don't forget to read compelling writing, lots of it, all the time!

Of all the months to be in a Writing Rut

Sunshine13

Mom by day, writer by night!

Ol' Fashioned Girl

Hand? What hand?

maddythemad

Sunshine13

Mom by day, writer by night!

jpserra

Recovering Gumshoe

Mr. Funktastic

The name says it all.

Éclairer

Éclairer

WackAMole

WTF?!?!

aadams73

A Work in Progress

Neeli

The Khatun

Simon Woodhouse

PeeDee

Where's my tea, please...?

Bartholomew

Comic guy

Allynegirl

Wax the Cat

janetbellinger

badducky

No Time For Chitchat, Kemosabe.