tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post310377801429098849..comments2024-03-10T10:34:02.181+02:00Comments on The Alliterative Allomorph: I probably shouldn't be saying this in public, but ...Jessica Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10889900730906728317noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-69860676130427495022011-12-12T17:52:30.051+02:002011-12-12T17:52:30.051+02:00You're a deep thinker, and you also wear quite...You're a deep thinker, and you also wear quite a few hats. Don't feel guilty for stewing such a long while.<br /><br /> When you do get to work on it, you'll know the time is right, and nothing will stand in your way!<br /><br />So look forward to that!Jacqueline Howetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13522485407848765933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-55380364324383297452011-12-11T20:11:23.040+02:002011-12-11T20:11:23.040+02:00One tip I was given was to write just 10 words eve...One tip I was given was to write just 10 words every day. It might seem like a rubbish idea at first, but don't knock it until you've given it a go.Patsyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12263765378083045973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-73838979307552485452011-12-10T23:17:50.045+02:002011-12-10T23:17:50.045+02:00Take a small notebook with you and when a snippet ...Take a small notebook with you and when a snippet of great dialogue occurs to you -- write it down. When a great plot twist pops into your mind - pop it down as well. Before a week has gone by, you will have done more than you thought possible on MUTED.<br /><br />Just dropped by to say thanks for having always been my friend, RolandRoland D. Yeomanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00338410857990551352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-38152197296898907632011-12-09T17:12:20.216+02:002011-12-09T17:12:20.216+02:00Congratulations on the job Jessica. I believe tha...Congratulations on the job Jessica. I believe that it is probably just a stage you are going through and that your writing will return.Cathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17854475822366615748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-22703415709711596492011-12-09T11:13:32.242+02:002011-12-09T11:13:32.242+02:00You have accomplished so much, perhaps it's Mo...You have accomplished so much, perhaps it's Mother Nature's way of telling you to slow down and relax. When the time is right your writing will return I'm sure.<br /><br />Yvonne.RHYTHM AND RHYMEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11386975261804630799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-11528149469043493472011-12-09T04:18:37.837+02:002011-12-09T04:18:37.837+02:00Yeah, I see this happen to almost every published ...Yeah, I see this happen to almost every published author I know, so you are not alone. Why do you think it has taken me a freaking 10 months to write 26,000 words on SCALES? I mean, COME ON. The only reason I have other books contracted right now is because they were already finished - except for SCALES, and I'd better finish it dang soon. <br /><br />Anyway, I just want you to know that I really appreciate you reading THE BREAKAWAY. I know how crazy, crazy busy you are. I am busy, too, busier than I have ever been in my life. I wonder if I should quit the Lit Lab anthologies, but I don't want to. If I should quit my blog, but I don't want to. However, I do choose to stay up 3 hours later than I would like to so that I can write, and I do choose to not go to this gathering or that party or that lunch with a group of friends so that I can write. It's all about compromise and choices, and those can constantly change, too. Some weeks I just don't blog at all. My blog doesn't get as much traffic as it used to. Another compromise. I still love it, though.<br /><br />Anyway, you are so not alone. :)Michelle D. Argylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09696465137285587646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-26558800251330587262011-12-09T02:47:21.493+02:002011-12-09T02:47:21.493+02:00Welcome to my world!
Jessica, if it's importan...Welcome to my world!<br />Jessica, if it's important, you will find the time. You will keep writing.L. Diane Wolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06425864276166334896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-75966767478019544032011-12-09T01:21:17.599+02:002011-12-09T01:21:17.599+02:00When one's in a hole, it's best to stop di...When one's in a hole, it's best to stop digging. Relax, lie back, look at tv, enjoy walks and conversations with your partner, and in the process, the rain will fall and you'll float to the top. Since I've got a few years on you, trust me on this one. (And perhaps "Muted" isn't the story to write right now - just float to the top and let come what may. All will work out; there's a branch at the top of the hole.)Kittie Howardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07756250649095903317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-80359545368131831392011-12-09T00:22:38.579+02:002011-12-09T00:22:38.579+02:00Jessica,
What you need is some dedicated writing ...Jessica,<br /><br />What you need is some dedicated writing time -- once or twice a week. An hour or two that is reserved solely for writing on your new works.<br /><br />I know that halfway around the world, your schedule might not mesh with sessions of The Practice Room, but check the schedule anyway. http://tinalaurellee2.blogspot.com/<br /><br />I host a session every Monday night, and I find that I save up ideas for that time. I'll be thinking all day about how I'm going to spend that writing time, and when it happens, I tuck myself into my writing cave and go at it. Then in the chat after the session, I report on progress to the other participants.<br /><br />You can set up your own times, of course, or connect with other writers to do something similar.<br /><br />Hope this helps!Dianne K. Salernihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16459839567235304842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-88233612796695176902011-12-09T00:21:32.241+02:002011-12-09T00:21:32.241+02:00I would say write for 15 minutes a day in a notebo...I would say write for 15 minutes a day in a notebook. When you wake or are about to fall asleep. Just try it for a while. You might find you can force 3 hours of flow into that time when you've trained yourself to.Amie McCrackenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10183468581148360197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-50671934524035646802011-12-09T00:07:00.081+02:002011-12-09T00:07:00.081+02:00How do we mothers do it? Well, we just don't s...How do we mothers do it? Well, we just don't sometimes. I think we all have seasons. As much as that stinks.<br /><br />Still, you are amazing and you will write another book. I'm certain!Janet Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12688012956157161889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-75178811363512755692011-12-08T22:45:12.559+02:002011-12-08T22:45:12.559+02:00I am always afraid of writing when I've been a...I am always afraid of writing when I've been away from it. I'm afraid I'll suck, or I'll freeze with fear, or both. Once you get a few sentences down, you'll be fine. I promise!<br /><br />As for the rest of the juggling act. Ugh. It's so hard. I've lost sleep just to have that four hours of writing time you talk about--then make up the sleep deprivation the next night. Sounds horrible, but that was a routine for a while. I get time on the weekend from my hubs for a good bunch of hours too. I stopped watching TV. You'll also learn to be very efficient with your new home job and make time for writing too. I know you can do it. It won't be perfect, and it'll be crazy, but then again, we all know a writer's life isn't all peaches and cream.Lydia Kanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00484415427764822386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-6810607699796574822011-12-08T21:40:26.950+02:002011-12-08T21:40:26.950+02:00As a fellow slow writer, I also feel thirty minute...As a fellow slow writer, I also feel thirty minutes isn't enough. But if you get an hour... One hour here, another there, and soon you start to get into a rhythm again. It may not be the same rhythm you had before, but it'll keep you going, and who knows? It might turn out to be the ideal rhythm for Muted.<br /><br />Never mind that I'm still slogging through novel #1 using this method; after all, when I had the time pre-baby I already lacked for discipline. Whereas you've finished two books. The third might take a little longer, but worry not. You shall prevail.Nate Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09690171790664252309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-85187452794294085682011-12-08T20:21:40.925+02:002011-12-08T20:21:40.925+02:00I have just found the courage to continue wading t...I have just found the courage to continue wading through *my journey* in YOUR post. A season for everything, right? Thank you, btw.<br /><br />Yeah, I have kids that suck every last bit of writing-energy out of me on a daily basis, but by the comments above, so it seems, does everyone else have *something* that does the same. <br /><br />I SO agree with GigglesandGuns on clearing out all of the self-deprecating thoughts and giving yourself time to readjust to writing your second novel. Your SECOND novel. Awesome-ness! <br /><br />If you haven't before, perhaps with your new job and marketing responsibilities for String Bridge, you should set a writing schedule. Once you find your rhythm you can adjust as necessary, devoting more or less time where needed. <br /><br />Do not be afraid. You are a writer. No need to prove *that* anymore. Looking forward to both of your novels! <br /><br />~May the force be with you. (;Scarletthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02194637248895827402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-39280456523871051872011-12-08T20:04:46.586+02:002011-12-08T20:04:46.586+02:00omg omg!!! There we go again: you + me = same pers...omg omg!!! There we go again: you + me = same person! I haven't written a THING new since April, and I feel my throat closing up and all my momentum gone. I've GOT to get more paying jobs going, but I've GOT to get back to WRITING.<br /><br />My solution, cutting the blog back even further. It's heart breaking, but I know it's not forever. ((hugs)) hang in there. You'll find your solution. <3LTMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05239077455322030275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-6849154563400258632011-12-08T20:04:28.086+02:002011-12-08T20:04:28.086+02:00Crap, I don't have kids but I still lack time ...Crap, I don't have kids but I still lack time to write! I haven't written anything since the final revisions on CassaFire this past summer. Although with me, it's more that I don't know what to write next, where the story should lead - if anywhere.Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-18808169620529216652011-12-08T19:48:46.378+02:002011-12-08T19:48:46.378+02:00Oh Jessica, I so hear you. I sat in front of my c...Oh Jessica, I so hear you. I sat in front of my computer screen last night and just stared at it for an hour. My fingers never even hit the keys. I am spent and all I did was a cookbook with a few family stories! I am even having a hard time commenting on blogs at the moment. I will only say to you what I keep telling myself. It will come. It will come when it is ready and when it does it will be great!!! Do I sound convincing?Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07524878248746427258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-66886644219785652742011-12-08T18:25:58.222+02:002011-12-08T18:25:58.222+02:00Hi Jessica -- I used to think I needed that 3-4 ho...Hi Jessica -- I used to think I needed that 3-4 hour block too, but this year I participated in NaNoWriMo and discovered I could do one-hour sessions just fine. Try it -- even if you only add 500 words to your new novel, it's still 500 words you didn't have before.Patricia Stolteyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17192369425956406122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-16114035000621574922011-12-08T18:20:31.632+02:002011-12-08T18:20:31.632+02:00I understand getting to overwhelmed to write. I...I understand getting to overwhelmed to write. I've been struggling to eke out the time lately, too.<br /><br />Since you only have the first chapter of your wip written, and need to do copious research, why not forget about that tiny little Word doc for now and start notebooking? <br /><br />It's easy to grab a notebook for jotting down snippets of story or voice, and it's a good place to keep information you research. Writing things down helps me remember what I've researched better than just saving web pages and photos to folders on my computer. <br /><br />That way, you'll still be working on your wip, just saving the actual typing for when things slow down after the holidays.<br /><br />Good luck, Jessica!Tere Kirklandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13562750950130316280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-65907062912609472352011-12-08T17:51:48.203+02:002011-12-08T17:51:48.203+02:00It has been a year since I finished Left and all I...It has been a year since I finished <i>Left</i> and all I have written in that time are a handful of poems and about 350,000 words in book reviews, interviews and articles not counting the thousands of words I write in comments and e-mails every day. It does kinda put things into perspective. I am a writer. I write every day. I’m writing now. It all counts. But it doesn’t feel as if it should count. I have hardly sent out a single submission in the last year and yet every day – every single damn day – I spend hours and hours in front of this computer trying to do what I think I need to do to promote myself. And it feels like I’m getting nowhere. I’m not. My blog has just passed the 7000 hits per month mark and my followed are increasing (at a painfully-slow rate) but I would gladly pack it all in, go into my office, slap on a nice CD and do some <i>real</i> writing. <br /><br />A year is not long. And in all that time I have been thinking about writing and don’t let anyone tell you that thinking about writing is not writing because it jolly well is. The gestation period – for me, certainly – is desperately important. I have actually started the next project. I have about a page of dialogue done. Not sure who is talking yet but that’s not a big worry. It will come together. Thinking, of course, comes in two flavours: conscious and subconscious and I’m starting to trust my subconscious more than I used to and not force things. It knows what’s on my mind.<br /><br />Personally I find I work best in clumps which means setting aside a period of a few days with no distractions (which I will be able to do over the holiday period). I’ve never been good at grabbing the odd fifteen minutes here and there. It takes me that amount of time to make my coffee and settle down to write. I wrote four of my novels while working fulltime, had two breakdowns (due to overwork) while I was doing it mind. That’s how I did it. But it’s like childbirth – so I’m told – you forget all the crap quickly once you have that scriking little brat in your arms.<br /><br />Set aside some time over the holidays. Stay offline. Write. Once you have a few thousand words down – which you can fiddle with in those odd fifteen minutes live throws at you – you will feel happier. <br /><br>Jim Murdochhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12786388638146471193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-26843360683312247322011-12-08T17:29:36.165+02:002011-12-08T17:29:36.165+02:00I love your honesty. while I haven't had your ...I love your honesty. while I haven't had your obvious success, I have had dry spells in my writing. I know the feeling of putting everything first. No one can rationalize like a writer. In my experience it wasn't anything that I did that got me back on track. I think I just needed the time. The story continued to play in my head and when I DID sit down to write and knocked off the rust the story flowed.Mara McBainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05751144968313586996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-8597554981391888002011-12-08T17:17:10.564+02:002011-12-08T17:17:10.564+02:00Dare I point out, you just wrote a blog post? That...Dare I point out, you just wrote a blog post? That is writing. Many of the things you do for your job will also fall under the description of "writing." Words will keep flowing and if, for the time being, they are not flowing into Muted, that's okay. Things happen when you're ready for them to happen. Sadly, life does get in the way, but life is what provides you with stories, so hang tough.<br />JudyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-86416655412801052992011-12-08T17:06:03.843+02:002011-12-08T17:06:03.843+02:00*hugs* These gazillions jobs are hard to juggle, b...*hugs* These gazillions jobs are hard to juggle, but I wouldn't begin to know which ones to let go or lessen to bring about that valuable writing time. I know my writing slacks off terribly when I have editing work to do. Maybe start small. A little research. A few words here and there. I'm sure you'll find the time once you get a little more used to the many hats we writers wear. And if you do find the secret to this mysterious time thing, please do share. :)Cherie Reichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16663147386014122939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-137886556900035062011-12-08T16:44:03.802+02:002011-12-08T16:44:03.802+02:00my thoughts are that maybe adding the full time jo...my thoughts are that maybe adding the full time job onto everything else, will actually make it easier for you to write. Because you'll have to get organized to fit everything in and you can block off some time every day to fit in some writing.<br />That's my prediction and i'm sticking to it.Sarah Ahiershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02795455714801965956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-48088955407539687252011-12-08T16:32:56.034+02:002011-12-08T16:32:56.034+02:00You are probably writing more than you realize. Mu...You are probably writing more than you realize. Muted must be in your mind or it wouldn't be in your post.<br />You seem to want the book to jump out and you know it isn't happening like that. When you're on the couch, close your eyes, put your head back and soon the ides will flow.<br /><br />Face the research in small chunks. Stop telling yourself how daunting it is. One small step at a time.<br /><br />Best New Year ever for you.<br /><br /> <a href="http://gigglesandguns.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Mary</a>Mary@GigglesandGunshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07350818228268801008noreply@blogger.com