We all have those gloomy days . . . the words won't come, and those that do, are awful at best. There's distracting drama on the publishing or family front. You've hit a plot snag or, like me, find out you're being downsized on your day job to the tune of 30% of your hours. Talk about a thunder storm! Sometimes, it's more a monsoon than just a passing shower and your brain gets too waterlogged to spin a creative phrase.
If I can't (and sometimes, I just can't!) power through it just to get those words onto the page so I'll have something to edit later, I give myself permission to step away. We're not talking a major Walkabout, just some breathing room until the juices start to flow again and the fickle Muses are appeased. I don't like to venture far from the keyboard on work time. Sometimes, all it takes is a brief read-through of what I've already done to get momentum going in the right direction. Sometimes, it's some research I skipped over or have on the horizon. When I bumped up against a puddle too deep and wide to jump over this past weekend with my WIP, I took advantage of the break in inspiration to use some perspiration instead to create a much-needed timeline to knit PRINCE OF DREAMS, the fourth and final book in my "House of Terriot" dark paranormal shapeshifter series, together with overlapping earlier books. And found some REAL potholes! They were much easier to fill now rather than later, once I'd completed the entire book upon a fault line.
Sometimes, a little rain is a good thing. Good for washing away grimy stuff that's built up to present a fresh new look. Good for making things grow and bloom. Good for encouraging roots to sink deep. Excellent for coaxing a rainbow!
Sink those roots, fellow IWSG friends, and let your creativity blossom!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time.The awesome co-hosts for the April 4th posting of the IWSG will be Olga Godim, Chemist Ken, Renee Scattergood, and Tamara Narayan!
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Twitter hashtag is #IWSG
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Twitter hashtag is #IWSG
We all have to refill the well sometimes. Reading something by one of my favorite authors will usually inspire me to get back to work, or even rereading some of my own stuff. You've always been an inspiration, Nancy!
ReplyDeleteHello, Nancy. I agree--if you have more than one project cooking, there's always something to do when one story becomes a mud puddle. (These rain metaphors are getting out of hand, eh?) Happy writing to you in April.
ReplyDeleteClouds clear, sunshine returns, flowers blossom - eventually! Perseverance & long walks do it for me. Inspirational post as always, Nancy! Thanks for doing what you do!
ReplyDeleteIf anyone can 'muddle' through, you can, and did. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. You inspired me the first day I met you, and continue to do so as time goes on.
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas. I've had gloomy days since last fall, so I'm ready for the sun to come back out!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Nancy! Sometimes a breather is needed. It's so important that we don't see every day as "do or die" with our writing.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post, Nancy. Very uplifting. Yes, we all need a breather once in a while. And of course, rain is a great way to get a rainbow.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your job being cut by 30%. Ouch. Your ideas for beating the writing blues are great. Often I take a walk to clear my mind. I had to post on FB to my friends that if they beep and wave when they see me and I don't respond, I'm writing. LOL
ReplyDelete