Yes! Last night, after dinner, I sat on the couch with my little shiny pink (girly) net book, while the (tired, whiny) man watched a (crappy B-grade) movie, and I thrashed out a 1800 word shorty story! Best couple of hours I've spent all week. And it worked wonders on my self-esteem! It did, I tell ya!!!
So this is my advice for today: If you're ever feeling low about not achieving your writing goals, write something that you can complete in one sitting, a short story, a poem, song lyrics, whatever. Believe me, you'll feel better. Because you'll have accomplished something! And that feeling of accomplishment was so worth a night away from my WIP. Because you don't get that quick kick when writing a novel, do you?
So how do you give yourself that much needed creative kick when your WIP isn't progressing as you would like it to?
Sometimes a little break is all I need. If that doesn't work, when I hit a wall, I go back and reread what I've done so far and that usually helps.
ReplyDeleteA trip to the library or bookstore really helps to set me right. Maybe a good movie or a new cd. Congrats on writing the short story, btw. That's fantastic!
ReplyDeleteWow this is timely with my post today. I think you're right. I need to dig my heels in.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome!!! Congratulations!!! I never thought about that but next time I'm having a difficult time I'm going to write a poem, that would be really cool :)
ReplyDeleteI just discovered this! It is so satisfying to create a beginning middle and an end. Do you submit anywhere else besides Static Movement?
ReplyDeleteI also write short stories between my novels. For all the same reasons!
ReplyDeleteI write Flash Fiction to make me feel good. Lately, I've been trying to hone my skills at Drabble.
ReplyDeleteSatisfaction in bits can work wonders!
I do the same as you, flash fiction or a short story or a couple of writing exercises. I've also researched new ideas or flip through on of my many mythology encyclopedias and try to rewrite a story. So helpful!
ReplyDeleteI have a gazzilion writing promps I use to play around and journal with, some of which develope into short stories. Always fun.
ReplyDeleteGoing back and re-reading something I've written a year ago helps me. It is long enough that I do not remember all the details of putting it together so I can just read it as prose.
ReplyDelete"Gee," I say to myself, "that's not half bad." It gives me hope for tomorrow's prose.
Great advice. I can never seem to wrap up my short stories quickly enough, though--I'm jealous of your talent!
ReplyDeleteYay! Congrats!!
ReplyDeleteIf my WIP isn't progressing, sometimes I'll write a short or poem to get the juices flowing again.
Sometimes I just take a break from writing altogether to work on something else, such as my photography. I've found that this helps me a lot.
When I find that my WIP isn't going so great I go through my file boxes of old stuff to see if there is anything there that gets those creative brain waves clicking. I may spend some time updating an older work or just refreshing myself with how much my writing has improved.
ReplyDeleteGreat question! I def. feel different when I have a wip going. That first draft is like self medication. Once its done and the dreaded revisions are going on- I like to read kick ass books. They make me smile, keep me hoping that one day I'll create something equally as awesome.
ReplyDeleteIt's as though you're reading my mind. I had FIVE days off and wrote nothing because the prospect of re-reading my WIP was too daunting. Silly how we can slip into writerly depression! This is a great way to yank me out of that. Thanks <3
ReplyDeleteI walk away for two or three days. Then come back. I usually have soethng to write about, even if its not really realted to my story. I place that in my Junkyard and if I can use it down the road then that spare part is there for me when I need it.
ReplyDeleteStephen Tremp
I pretty much just soak my head in liquor and then cry into my drink.
ReplyDeleteWell done, you! What a great way to re-boot your creativity.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I just need a break. I need to do nothing but watch telly and eat chocolate and not think about anything!
That’s a great idea. I tend to go for a walk. It clears my head and calms down worries.
ReplyDeleteMaybe that's what I need to do. I have ahuge project staring at me and I don't even want to start it.
ReplyDeleteMy answer is kind of in my post for today - I have to tackle procrastination BEFORE I can do anything else. :-)
ReplyDeleteI write a poem, but last month I wrote a children's book. Not sure where it came from, but it did me some good.
ReplyDeleteYour house sounds like mine, DH TV me tapping at the keys. :)
My short stories are all PANTS--I can't write them to save my life. Though when I am in Query Hell, they actually seem somewhat satisfying, because I'd rather ruin something that will be bad no matter what instead of something I'm hoping will be good one day...
ReplyDeleteUsually I resort to wine or work, but I like your idea a lot better. Glad to hear that you had such a great night. =)
ReplyDeleteif only. I'm in more of the drown my sorrows tonight/feel like crap tomorrow camp. lol! :D
ReplyDeleteAh yes I can identify with that. Good for you. My muse when on a sulk at the beginning of the week, see: http://scribbleandedit.blogspot.com/2010/10/not-amused.html
ReplyDeleteThe long walks seemed to do the trick in the end and my muse has returned.:O)
If NaNo doesn't help, I'll try that!
ReplyDeletePleased it worked for you.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
I recently wrote a blog fest post on Rach Writes..., where I wrote from the POV of a main character in my MS (though not the POV character). It's amazing how writing that piece inspired me to look at my MS from a different perspective. And I've come up with heaps of ways I can make his character in my MS stronger..
ReplyDeleteAmen to that! I tend to do the same - write something short and sweet to get my spirits up:)
ReplyDeleteSometimes I get that quick kick even from a succintly written blog post. Creativity can take all forms, and lengths. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat advice!
ReplyDeleteIn answer to your question, for me, I write a scene from my WIP that might never happen in the WIP, or maybe it will. Sometimes a brief conversation with my characters is all I need to get me going again.
I just wanted to say I loved your Natalie Dee comic - and you're right! I'm going to try that this week!
ReplyDeleteGlad you're feeling better! Are you going to share your shorty short? ;)
ReplyDeleteSometimes I'll write a scene that I have no intention of putting in the novel. It could be small talk between two characters, or something from the past that has no impact on the current plot. I ended up viewing my story from a new perspective, and I've learned great things about my characters that may have otherwise remained uncovered.
ReplyDelete