First off, let me just say that after reading Dina's previous post, I had to resist the urge to open this one by wailing about my writer's block...
Don't try to break the writer's block, Neo.
Try to realize there is no writer's block.
Which, of course, there isn't. And I, of course, did not come off the holidays with a scorching case of it.
What I did do was take my annual "I'm not going to do it and you can't make me" break.
This is a whole different thing.
Today I wanted to talk about "know thyself." And since Dina did a perfect job of debunking writer's block, we're all caught up.
What I experienced was, as she put it, one of my issues. I get stubborn and burned-out. Everyone does. If you feel burned-out and resistant to write. You are in good company.
One trick to getting out of it (the funk not the company) is to know your currency. I've posted about currency before. As a parent, its a very big topic for me. Currency is like motivation but more manipulative. I believe when you're trying to motivate yourself, manipulative is the best sort of medicine. It's not the healthiest, if therapists can be believed, but it's very effective.
In parenting and writing, effective trumps healthy every time. We want results, and results come from knowing which buttons to push.
My button looks a lot like reverse psychology. If I tell myself, there's no point, your writing sucks, no one reads your stories anyway. No one loves you, you bad, bad writer. I know I will only sink into a deep depression from which only the very best chocolate can pry me. But if I say, "Maybe you can't do it. Maybe, you should just quit and take up spider breeding. I think spider breeding is your true calling and this writing thing was just a silly fad." I'll be writing before you know it. (and possibly browse some spider catalogs, but that's a different problem)
Reverse psychology works on me, but maybe distraction works for you. Maybe you need a shiny new story idea, or a new setting to write in.. Maybe you like bribes. A brand new pen or laptop might do it. Reassurance? A pat on the back and a comforting hug (which would only make me feel pathetic and spiral deeper into depression.) might be the remedy you need.
The thing is, humans are very predictable creatures. We have patterns within our patterns. And we are very easily conditioned. I think, even more easily trained than fleas. (which take the scientific booby prize of being the most easily conditioned critter around) If we pay a lot of attention to what works and what doesn't, we can come up with a pretty solid formula for success.
It just has to be tailored to our buttons.
Learn your buttons. Map your patterns and not just writing but everything can get a lot easier.
They're hard to see from inside a funk, though. So wait till you're fresh enough to see clearly. Then, get a big picture view, look at past hiccups, and find the repeating cycles.
Write them down. Remember.
That's probably the hardest part. Remembering to think about your patterns when you're neck deep in them. Still, if its on paper somewhere (maybe taped to your forehead) it's hard to deny for long.
Even if what you need to spiral back up again is just time, knowing that can make the waiting more productive. I agree with "writers write". But if your issues have you on "hiatus" you can still be planning how to get writing again. You can be working. You can be productive. If you just aren't writing now, you can still be plotting, editing, blogging...doing.
The point is, do what it takes to get you writing again. Motivate, manipulate, bribe, whatever, but keep in mind that we want results.
No whining...unless whining will make you write. No self abuse...unless that's the ticket to you making words again. Maybe you can't write non-stop forever, but the goal is definitely to write as soon as possible.
And that's my moral. If it doesn't get you writing, STOP IT.
If it does, who am I to judge?
Write on, MacDuff.
~Frances
Showing posts with label productivity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label productivity. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Why NaNoWriMo Is Making Me Sad
November is just over two weeks away, and along with turkey and Christmas decorations comes my favorite November activity: National Novel Writing Month. For those not already in the know, NaNoWriMo is an annual event in which a bunch (I'm not looking up numbers) of people each try to write 50,000 words in a month. For most published authors this is not a big deal as we write at that speed whenever we draft.
But... I might not manage it this year. (Sadz.)
To all the people who haven't won NaNo in the past and are sitting there, scowling at me, let me share a little background. I participated in my first NaNo in 2007 and won for a very shelved, dust gathering manuscript called Avalon's Return. It took me the rest of the year to finish that damn book, but I wrote 50,000 words in November (and no, it wasn't ridiculously long, I had just burned myself out).
Then 2008 came along and I did it again. In fact, I never stopped doing it. NaNo came to be my training ground for learning how to work to a deadline (personal or otherwise). I learned how to pace myself and plot enough to keep me sane but not so much that writing lost its sense of adventure. From 2007 through November 2012, I never lost NaNo. And that included as things that came with being a published author got in the way (edits/promo/submissions). I made a point of busting ass and hitting that goal.
Until this year.
It's the second half of October and I have nothing on my plot board for NaNo. Granted, I want to write Kiss of Eternity so I know the basics of what has to happen: war, sex, bloodshed, sex, mayhem, probably more sex, and tying everything up (not sex related exactly...then again it might be). But I don't have any of the details plotted out or balanced.
So why not hop on that right now? (Because I'm writing a blog post, duh...) Because I'm neck deep in edits on two books. Granted, both are novellas, but it's still edits on two books which means I won't have much, if any advance planning time (and I still need to re-read the other books in the series so I don't screw things up).
"Okay, okay," you say, "but you managed before. Now that you have six years of this under your belt, it shouldn't be a problem."
Maybe, and I hope and pray you're right, but... I might have failed to mention that I am looking at edits on a minimum of two other books (both novels this time) coming in November. And maybe further edits on the one I'm finishing up today. And maybe edits on another novella. All told, I could have edits coming in on up to four projects next month. *thud*
Which translates to NaNo potentially being a huge fail for me this year. And as awesome as it is to have All The Work pouring in (and it is, I'm not trying to be all poor-me here), I'm still melancholy that this might be the year that NaNo becomes--in essence--something I used to do.
Last month, when I was in the midst of another month of mad edits, I posted a Facebook update about all the projects I was working on. Another author (who liked the status) posted something immediately after about wishing she could just cough up books (that's paraphrasing, I'm not looking up an exact quote for multiple reasons). Pretty sure she meant it to make herself feel better (as many of her friends then raved about quality over quantity and whatnot), but it just made me sad for her that she doesn't get it.
There are all kinds of authors in the world (and even more kinds of writers). In the new digital marketplace, if you want to make a living off writing (and aren't naive enough to expect to be the next JK Rowling...or made a deal with the devil like some others) you have to bust ass. You have to build a backlist and make writing a J-O-B. One book a year doesn't cut it anymore. Much less the whole one-book-every-half-decade some of the old-school authors are trying.
There's a saying about (paraphrasing again) authors are always writing: they are either thinking about writing, taking notes about writing, planning to write, fixing their writing, or actually, you know, writing. This is true (and quite frankly, I'm getting twitchy at the moment about how long I've been working on this blog post instead of the edits), but if an author spends more time on the first three things than on the last two, they will never be prolific. That's just reality. To be prolific, you have to put the words on the paper and then fix them. And you have to have the commitment and drive to do so.
Which is why I'm still attempting NaNo this year, even though I will have far too many characters fighting for attention in my brain. It's not in me to shrink away from the challenge. Because I am that author who works in the mines long enough to cough up books. And I'll continue to do it until I can't anymore.
So hold on, November is going to be a bumpy ride!
But... I might not manage it this year. (Sadz.)
To all the people who haven't won NaNo in the past and are sitting there, scowling at me, let me share a little background. I participated in my first NaNo in 2007 and won for a very shelved, dust gathering manuscript called Avalon's Return. It took me the rest of the year to finish that damn book, but I wrote 50,000 words in November (and no, it wasn't ridiculously long, I had just burned myself out).
Then 2008 came along and I did it again. In fact, I never stopped doing it. NaNo came to be my training ground for learning how to work to a deadline (personal or otherwise). I learned how to pace myself and plot enough to keep me sane but not so much that writing lost its sense of adventure. From 2007 through November 2012, I never lost NaNo. And that included as things that came with being a published author got in the way (edits/promo/submissions). I made a point of busting ass and hitting that goal.
Until this year.
It's the second half of October and I have nothing on my plot board for NaNo. Granted, I want to write Kiss of Eternity so I know the basics of what has to happen: war, sex, bloodshed, sex, mayhem, probably more sex, and tying everything up (not sex related exactly...then again it might be). But I don't have any of the details plotted out or balanced.
So why not hop on that right now? (Because I'm writing a blog post, duh...) Because I'm neck deep in edits on two books. Granted, both are novellas, but it's still edits on two books which means I won't have much, if any advance planning time (and I still need to re-read the other books in the series so I don't screw things up).
"Okay, okay," you say, "but you managed before. Now that you have six years of this under your belt, it shouldn't be a problem."
Maybe, and I hope and pray you're right, but... I might have failed to mention that I am looking at edits on a minimum of two other books (both novels this time) coming in November. And maybe further edits on the one I'm finishing up today. And maybe edits on another novella. All told, I could have edits coming in on up to four projects next month. *thud*
Which translates to NaNo potentially being a huge fail for me this year. And as awesome as it is to have All The Work pouring in (and it is, I'm not trying to be all poor-me here), I'm still melancholy that this might be the year that NaNo becomes--in essence--something I used to do.
Last month, when I was in the midst of another month of mad edits, I posted a Facebook update about all the projects I was working on. Another author (who liked the status) posted something immediately after about wishing she could just cough up books (that's paraphrasing, I'm not looking up an exact quote for multiple reasons). Pretty sure she meant it to make herself feel better (as many of her friends then raved about quality over quantity and whatnot), but it just made me sad for her that she doesn't get it.
There are all kinds of authors in the world (and even more kinds of writers). In the new digital marketplace, if you want to make a living off writing (and aren't naive enough to expect to be the next JK Rowling...or made a deal with the devil like some others) you have to bust ass. You have to build a backlist and make writing a J-O-B. One book a year doesn't cut it anymore. Much less the whole one-book-every-half-decade some of the old-school authors are trying.
There's a saying about (paraphrasing again) authors are always writing: they are either thinking about writing, taking notes about writing, planning to write, fixing their writing, or actually, you know, writing. This is true (and quite frankly, I'm getting twitchy at the moment about how long I've been working on this blog post instead of the edits), but if an author spends more time on the first three things than on the last two, they will never be prolific. That's just reality. To be prolific, you have to put the words on the paper and then fix them. And you have to have the commitment and drive to do so.
Which is why I'm still attempting NaNo this year, even though I will have far too many characters fighting for attention in my brain. It's not in me to shrink away from the challenge. Because I am that author who works in the mines long enough to cough up books. And I'll continue to do it until I can't anymore.
So hold on, November is going to be a bumpy ride!
Monday, September 9, 2013
Recycled Post: Stall Demons
We interrupt our regularly scheduled "Ask Dr. Dina" series to bring you this recycled post from 2008, as Dr. Dina is out of the office this week. Enjoy!
(Originally posted 2/28/2008 on my Livejournal. This post
is 100% recycled material. Some references have been updated to reflect the
current year.)
*eyes the little maniacs in the corner laughing gleefully*
Stall demons.
"What are they?" you ask. Good question. Most people don't recognize them when they see or encounter them, or they confuse them for Shoulder Devils/Shoulder Demons, which are a completely different type of demon. (Hmm...maybe I should blog about types of demons at some point. *makes a note* There are a bunch.) Shoulder Demons/Devils are the ones that tell you it's okay to do things when you know better.
Stall Demons are no such creature. These are evil miniature imps from the Timesuck Realm that tell you, "It's okay, just check Twitter. It won't take that long!" or "You know, you have a WHOLE DAY to write/get XYZ done/do what you planned. This will only take a minute." or "Have a nap. You're tired and will work much better if you're rested."
This is the thing with Stall Demons. They're much, much different than Shoulder Devils/Demons. Stall Demons pretend to look after your welfare. They're only helping! After all, don't you deserve a little break/fun/pie before whatever it is you're supposed to be doing? For emotional/physical/mental well-being? C'Mon...just check Twitter. Or Facebook. Or your F!list on LiveJournal. Or Tumblr. Or Pinterest. Aren't you behind on that webcomic? That was pretty funny, and you could use a laugh. No? You're right. You're right. You should write. Blog something to get your creativity going.
Stall demons.
"What are they?" you ask. Good question. Most people don't recognize them when they see or encounter them, or they confuse them for Shoulder Devils/Shoulder Demons, which are a completely different type of demon. (Hmm...maybe I should blog about types of demons at some point. *makes a note* There are a bunch.) Shoulder Demons/Devils are the ones that tell you it's okay to do things when you know better.
Stall Demons are no such creature. These are evil miniature imps from the Timesuck Realm that tell you, "It's okay, just check Twitter. It won't take that long!" or "You know, you have a WHOLE DAY to write/get XYZ done/do what you planned. This will only take a minute." or "Have a nap. You're tired and will work much better if you're rested."
This is the thing with Stall Demons. They're much, much different than Shoulder Devils/Demons. Stall Demons pretend to look after your welfare. They're only helping! After all, don't you deserve a little break/fun/pie before whatever it is you're supposed to be doing? For emotional/physical/mental well-being? C'Mon...just check Twitter. Or Facebook. Or your F!list on LiveJournal. Or Tumblr. Or Pinterest. Aren't you behind on that webcomic? That was pretty funny, and you could use a laugh. No? You're right. You're right. You should write. Blog something to get your creativity going.
You see the pattern here?
Stall Demons are also responsible for the stipulations you put on yourself, such as "I can't write, the bathroom needs cleaning" or "I'll wait until the house is quiet" or "Wow, I have a lot of laundry to do. I can't write until I do something else."
Whatever.
Stall Demons will do absolutely anything to stall you. Fun things! Shiny things! Games! Want to clean? Sure! Let's do that! That's good for inspiration you know...a mindless task really helps clear your head...like meditating!
Back! Back you demons! Back into your realm of Timesuck where you belong! I know what you are and what you're trying to do! Back! Back I say!
Ah, but Stall Demons cannot be subdued. Just frightened off temporarily. Like Sandpeople (Tusken Raiders for the politically correct or uber!geektastic among us) - easily startled, but will soon be back. AND in greater numbers. (Points if you know the name of the noise that frightened them off Luke Skywalker!)
What frightens off a Stall Demon?
Confidence. Determination. Willpower.
RESISTANCE.
Never mind what the Borg say. Resistance is NOT futile. That's a party line to get you not to fight. Fight the Stall Demons! Don't let them take away your productivity!
Stall Demons are also responsible for the stipulations you put on yourself, such as "I can't write, the bathroom needs cleaning" or "I'll wait until the house is quiet" or "Wow, I have a lot of laundry to do. I can't write until I do something else."
Whatever.
Stall Demons will do absolutely anything to stall you. Fun things! Shiny things! Games! Want to clean? Sure! Let's do that! That's good for inspiration you know...a mindless task really helps clear your head...like meditating!
Back! Back you demons! Back into your realm of Timesuck where you belong! I know what you are and what you're trying to do! Back! Back I say!
Ah, but Stall Demons cannot be subdued. Just frightened off temporarily. Like Sandpeople (Tusken Raiders for the politically correct or uber!geektastic among us) - easily startled, but will soon be back. AND in greater numbers. (Points if you know the name of the noise that frightened them off Luke Skywalker!)
What frightens off a Stall Demon?
Confidence. Determination. Willpower.
RESISTANCE.
Never mind what the Borg say. Resistance is NOT futile. That's a party line to get you not to fight. Fight the Stall Demons! Don't let them take away your productivity!
Don't trust yourself? No willpower? There are programs out
there like Freedom and StayFocusd that will force you to stick to your guns.
Does the prospect of not being able to connect frighten you? Still can't manage to resist? Fear not! There is still hope.
Does the prospect of not being able to connect frighten you? Still can't manage to resist? Fear not! There is still hope.
You'll have appease the Stall Demons with a bargain. They're
DEMONS, first and foremost, and how do you deal with a demon?
*Brando imitation* Make them an offer they cannot refuse.
Offer a deal. You'll Stall AFTER _____. After your wordcount for the day is reached, you'll read Twitter. Do the dishes. Clean the bathroom. Blog something. NOT before. They leave you in peace for whatever you need to do, you'll goof off for (amount of time here).
It's what I did today. The Stall Demons had me captivated with their Sirens' song for a time this morning, with me protesting all the while about wordcounts and deadlines and how I had to get to work.
"No, go read Twitter," the Stall Demons replied soothingly. "It won't take long."
"That's timesuck, and I don't have any time I can afford to squander," I protest feebly, all the while lulled by their wonderful charms. "Things to do."
"They're not important, you're important," said the demons, who really know how to stroke an ego. "Networking is important. You want to stay in touch, don't you? Come on...blog. Twitter. Go check on your characters in World of Warcraft. Your auction should be concluded by now. Just go take care of your bank stuff. It won't take long...."
"It won't take long" is the stock phrase of the Stall Demon.
Beware this phrase. If you hear it in your head, or even from a friend, be very careful.
You could just have a Stall Demon in your house. (Points if you get the reference!)
*Brando imitation* Make them an offer they cannot refuse.
Offer a deal. You'll Stall AFTER _____. After your wordcount for the day is reached, you'll read Twitter. Do the dishes. Clean the bathroom. Blog something. NOT before. They leave you in peace for whatever you need to do, you'll goof off for (amount of time here).
It's what I did today. The Stall Demons had me captivated with their Sirens' song for a time this morning, with me protesting all the while about wordcounts and deadlines and how I had to get to work.
"No, go read Twitter," the Stall Demons replied soothingly. "It won't take long."
"That's timesuck, and I don't have any time I can afford to squander," I protest feebly, all the while lulled by their wonderful charms. "Things to do."
"They're not important, you're important," said the demons, who really know how to stroke an ego. "Networking is important. You want to stay in touch, don't you? Come on...blog. Twitter. Go check on your characters in World of Warcraft. Your auction should be concluded by now. Just go take care of your bank stuff. It won't take long...."
"It won't take long" is the stock phrase of the Stall Demon.
Beware this phrase. If you hear it in your head, or even from a friend, be very careful.
You could just have a Stall Demon in your house. (Points if you get the reference!)
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