Strategies for pushing through

[chrispenycate]

Since I write everything out longhand but must transfer it into electronic (with a first mild polish) to edit, there is always something to do while my muse is on tea break. (with or without mince pies, which I no longer eat, thank you. Nor Christmas pudding. The smell invokes memories, though.) While inspiration strikes I can scribble five or six times as fast as I can type, so I'm rarely even close to keeping up.

 

[thaddeus6th]

I don't know if you're a slow typist or an incredible scribe!

I do some ye olde pen and ink writing, most especially for comedy. It's odd how different the writing process can be when (for me) it takes much longer.

 

[Stephen Palmer]

First drafts are great, lots of fun, but editing afterwards can sometimes be a bit of a downer. Unless lots of time has passed by, in which case it's quite like a first draft again...

 

[Juliana]

Usually when I get stuck I go off and read other people's stuff for a week and by then I've figured out what is sticking me. There are exceptions, though, like the novel I got 20K into and then it just wouldn't move, even though I had the entire plot sorted out. (I went off and wrote something else instead, and now I'm almost ready to go back to it).

But I agree; crazy time of year. Hard to push things when there are so many to-do lists lying around!

 

[tinkerdan]

Hand written is no option for me with my poor penmanship.

Since I write everything out longhand but must transfer it into electronic (with a first mild polish) to edit, there is always something to do while my muse is on tea break. (with or without mince pies, which I no longer eat, thank you. Nor Christmas pudding. The smell invokes memories, though.) While inspiration strikes I can scribble five or six times as fast as I can type, so I'm rarely even close to keeping up.

This is why in the late 70's early 80's I used a smith corona. My only excuse for the chicken scratching is:
I had a horrible habit of breaking my arms and wrists when I was young; so I recall whilst everyone else practiced perfect penmanship I was dodging the teachers yardstick when she caught me trying to use my writing hand, which was in a cast.

Back then: you weren't to use any appendage in a cast for anything except a weight that you'd drag around everywhere you went. Or in my case as something to anchor you when a good gust of wind came along.

Now I associate legible writing with a rather hard knock to he noggin.

 

[Story Arcs]

I find that my state of mind is the most important thing, namely, my expectations. There is a time to write and a time to explore. My first draft comes with expectations that I set upon it, but I also reference those expectations within a larger context. Of course, keeping the awesome end in mind is a good thing too: a finished to present to the world, an honest work that represents my unique way of seeing everything with all its pain and glory. So, turning the first draft into a pleasant experience for me, comes with my willingness to make it work for me in the best way possible. But also, there are times when it is just painful because I'm learning a lesson about myself or because I'm stretching myself really hard to get the worthy goal done. In those situations, I really focus hard on why the work matters to me and make sure I soothe myself with breaks, friends and sometimes ranting. It's nice to be able to have someone to complain to without getting advice of any kind. It's just ranting and I need it. Wish you all well on your projects. I think what we're doing is great.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

I find that my state of mind is the most important thing, namely, my expectations. There is a time to write and a time to explore. My first draft comes with expectations that I set upon it, but I also reference those expectations within a larger context. Of course, keeping the awesome end in mind is a good thing too: a finished to present to the world, an honest work that represents my unique way of seeing everything with all its pain and glory. So, turning the first draft into a pleasant experience for me, comes with my willingness to make it work for me in the best way possible. But also, there are times when it is just painful because I'm learning a lesson about myself or because I'm stretching myself really hard to get the worthy goal done. In those situations, I really focus hard on why the work matters to me and make sure I soothe myself with breaks, friends and sometimes ranting. It's nice to be able to have someone to complain to without getting advice of any kind. It's just ranting and I need it. Wish you all well on your projects. I think what we're doing is great.

Thank you for the thoughtful post (and welcome!) i do have a few peeps to rant to, and they're a lifeline, aren't they?

Brian's words opened my eyes a bit. I've written six novels in four-ish years, most of them to the polished and being edited by people much smarter than me stage. I've got an agent, I've got a publisher, next year will be crazy busy with writing. So, this month, while work-work is quiet (it's also been crazy busy) my focus is on my house and family and not chasing my tail. I've had a lovely, chilled week with just a wee bit of light editing (more reading, tbh) and feel much better for it. Come January, I'll back on the horse.