A body in motion stays in motion.
A body at rest stays at rest.
Too long my writing muscles have been at rest. Those of you who've been here in the last few months may know I hit a setback in January and have been spinning my wheels since. Reading a lot—this is good as I once again am in awe of good writing, but because I've been reading bestsellers and award winners I am also feeling unworthy. I am not Maggie Stiefvader. Sadly. I can tell when I read her how much she knows about various mythologies and near magics kinds of things. I can tell she's done her research.
Do you know what happens when I do research?
I fall down a rabbithole and find way too many interesting things that I can't seem to find the willpower to NOT include and I end up with a hot mess of stuff not relevant to the story.
 |
| Me. |
But rabbitholes aren't my current problem. My current problem is I have been sitting still and getting going is seeming to be REALLY HARD. I think maybe I've turned into a slug.
So my PLAN... I think I am going to PLOT like crazy this month... get my idea files caught up so I don't have scraps of paper everywhere... get my plot for my next book in order, and gear up for BuNoWriMo.
WHAT is BuMoWriMo?
My writing group began in 2010 to do a SECOND WriMo in June. NaNoWriMo has begun a summer camp then and that is all well and good, but we had June first, AND our little group all gets to know each other so the discussions are more personal and encouraging, IMHO. If anyone would like to join, you are welcome. We do it on Facebook, as that is easiest, since I don't have a clue about running a website.
BuNoWriMo on Facebook
23 comments:
Sounds good, I love the BUNO. I'm struggling too but with a different pronlem, one you seem to have mastered - that of writing when work is so all consuming. Ah well.
Plan this month and then write next month! The year I participated in BuNo (although I'm not on Facebook) I wrote my third book.
Oh the rabbit hole! Maybe do a little research, then put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and just started writing for yourself. See where the story takes you!
Sounds like you're getting ready to get your momentum up and going again. You can do it! :)
You have a plan and that's half the battle. I usually list plots points and spend a lot of hours thinking about my next book before I dive into it.
My blogging muscles are good and strong but my writing muscles are weak. I need to get back into writing my WIP ASAP! I hope you get back to writing too. :)
Hello Hart
I'm making the rounds, something I don't do enough. I think writing is similar to the tide. Sometimes the inflow is full of jellyfish, crabs and turtles and then the tide goes out and the turtles run like crazy to get back in the water before their eaten by airborne hunters. You're post made me smille and I really needed that. And just a thought. When we read great writers, we become great as well.
Nancy
Plotting is the fun part for me. I could do it all day. But eventually I have to make myself sit down and write. It can be tough at times. Good luck with the book.
I do love plotting. That's when I feel like if the idea is a decent one or not. Or if I have enough there for a novel-length story. Good luck with everything, Hart!
I know exactly what you mean about the rabbitholes! I've been writing stuff based on Greek myths for about a year and a half now, and I keep detouring away from my plot to talk about myths that are totally unrelated to what's going on, because they're just all so much fun! (Though I'm writing something semi-YA, so I have to leave out most of the sexual side of things, which takes some of the fun out of it. Some of those myths were actually pretty pervy...)
I feel like shouting, ready, set, GO!!! at you. :) You can do it, and remember, we all write differently an offer unique qualities to our work. You have something only you can give. That always give me a little ray of hope when I read one of my writing heroes. :)X
shahwharton.com
It's not so bad to be a slug. They may be slow, but the don't ever stop moving. Now, what you don't want to be is an anemone.
I know how fascinating research can be. Over the past year, I've stopped taking breaks because when I do it takes me ages to start writing again. Keep plotting. When you're finished, you'll be raring to go.
I love research. It's so fun. Best on meeting your goals this month. I'm trying the outlining thing. It's kind of fun.
He's cute for a slug.
I can write non-fiction anytime, but I've struggled to get back into fiction writing mode.
What's that saying? We see everyone else's finished products but our own rough drafts. Something like that. Bestseller novels are great, but they went through a whole lot of work to get there.
This happens to me to! While I love research and take notes and copy and paste related photos, I get SO lost in it that I wonder how I will connect all related facts to the plot. But when I start with the actual writing, I feel so smart!
♥.•*¨Elizabeth¨*•.♥
Preaching to the choir about that inertia and rabbitholes :) Good luck with BuMo.
That the tough part about research--falling love with it and wanting to use everything. Been there. That's when friends and other readers have to step in and say, Too much information, please edit it down. I find I can cut stuff by telling myself that I'll use the info in a future book. I usually don't, but I still fool myself with that thought.
And you know about my ups and downs with writing. Currently I'm in love with writing again, but that's 'cause I avoid thinking about publishers and movie producers. I just write because I want to see how my story turns out. Maybe that'll work for you?
A plan is more than half the battle, Hart. I agree, reading terrific books is humbling, but they’re also inspiration and a source of learning. While it’s true you can’t be Maggie Stiefvader, she can’t be you either. Your job is to make her regret it.
It’s remarkable to me how all writers are different. I hate plotting, love research and planning my character arcs—what characters want they, need, how they’re going to react if they don’t get it. For me it’s easy to add, subtract, or change a plot element, but my characters are who they are, even when they do something that shocks me.
VR Barkowski
I feel the same way about Maggie Stiefvater, like I should bow down and chant, "I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy..."
It definitely can be hard to get going again when you've been out of practice for a while. Hopefully BuNo will give you the kick start you need.
Gosh, you sound like me!I'd love to participate in June but I don't need more writing -- I wish I did -- I need more editing! And no more research rabbit holes...
Post a Comment