Comments on: 6 tricks for writing when you don’t feel like it http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/29/6-tricks-for-writing-when-you-dont-feel-like-it/ about the craft and business of fiction Wed, 23 May 2012 23:52:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: April Harrison http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/29/6-tricks-for-writing-when-you-dont-feel-like-it/#comment-123249 April Harrison Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:13:53 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/29/6-tricks-for-writing-when-you-dont-feel-like-it/#comment-123249 Absolute value in this advice - thanks! I'm working on a historical novel and doing some struggling rightnow, which makes it so easy to find distraction. Sometimes its fun, sometimes its such hard work! One thing that really works for me is to make notes on my next scenes, including characters, setting of the scene, dialogue notes and how this scene is moving things forward - right before I go to bed. It helps because when I wake up my plan for writing is done and it I'm set to go. More help, I think, is that by going to sleep right after with all of that freshly in my mind, I wake up often with insights, dialogue, actions that hadn't occured to me in waking hours! Absolute value in this advice – thanks!
I’m working on a historical novel and doing some struggling rightnow, which makes it so easy to find distraction. Sometimes its fun, sometimes its such hard work!
One thing that really works for me is to make notes on my next scenes, including characters, setting of the scene, dialogue notes and how this scene is moving things forward – right before I go to bed.
It helps because when I wake up my plan for writing is done and it I’m set to go. More help, I think, is that by going to sleep right after with all of that freshly in my mind, I wake up often with insights, dialogue, actions that hadn’t occured to me in waking hours!

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]]> By: Jose Varkey http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/29/6-tricks-for-writing-when-you-dont-feel-like-it/#comment-123011 Jose Varkey Tue, 11 Aug 2009 08:28:01 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/29/6-tricks-for-writing-when-you-dont-feel-like-it/#comment-123011 Great advise, especially to confused newbies like me. Wish you all success in your writing career. Jose Varkey Great advise, especially to confused newbies like me.
Wish you all success in your writing career.
Jose Varkey

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]]> By: hope101 http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/29/6-tricks-for-writing-when-you-dont-feel-like-it/#comment-122575 hope101 Wed, 05 Aug 2009 23:50:24 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/29/6-tricks-for-writing-when-you-dont-feel-like-it/#comment-122575 Love the suggestions. A few other things that have helped me: 1. Set a word count deadline and promise my kids a monetary reward if I don't produce. 2. Blog. Surprisingly this has reinvigorated my muse. It's my place to play with words again - and to get feedback on them. Since the time between beginning a novel and <b>perhaps</b> getting it published can be years, the shots in the arm can be enormously helpful. Love the suggestions. A few other things that have helped me:

1. Set a word count deadline and promise my kids a monetary reward if I don’t produce.

2. Blog. Surprisingly this has reinvigorated my muse. It’s my place to play with words again – and to get feedback on them. Since the time between beginning a novel and perhaps getting it published can be years, the shots in the arm can be enormously helpful.

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]]> By: Barbara Samuel O'Neal http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/29/6-tricks-for-writing-when-you-dont-feel-like-it/#comment-122151 Barbara Samuel O'Neal Sat, 01 Aug 2009 02:47:31 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/29/6-tricks-for-writing-when-you-dont-feel-like-it/#comment-122151 Good one, Katy! The 100 words helps a LOT of people. Thanks for the reminder. Good one, Katy! The 100 words helps a LOT of people. Thanks for the reminder.

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]]> By: Katy Cooper http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/29/6-tricks-for-writing-when-you-dont-feel-like-it/#comment-122059 Katy Cooper Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:40:51 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/29/6-tricks-for-writing-when-you-dont-feel-like-it/#comment-122059 I tell myself I have to write 100 words, that's it. It's a single, double-spaced page of 8-1/2 x 11 paper, that's all. Nothing major. Once I'm done I'm done. I tell myself I have to write 100 words, that’s it. It’s a single, double-spaced page of 8-1/2 x 11 paper, that’s all. Nothing major. Once I’m done I’m done.

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]]> By: Anne http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/29/6-tricks-for-writing-when-you-dont-feel-like-it/#comment-122032 Anne Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:53:55 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/29/6-tricks-for-writing-when-you-dont-feel-like-it/#comment-122032 Such a great post and YES on the change of scenery. Works (almost) every time. :) Such a great post and YES on the change of scenery. Works (almost) every time. :)

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]]> By: Suzanne http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/29/6-tricks-for-writing-when-you-dont-feel-like-it/#comment-122029 Suzanne Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:16:19 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/29/6-tricks-for-writing-when-you-dont-feel-like-it/#comment-122029 I love the timed writing suggestion, this technique would nip procrastination in the bud! I love the timed writing suggestion, this technique would nip procrastination in the bud!

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]]> By: Melody Thomas http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/29/6-tricks-for-writing-when-you-dont-feel-like-it/#comment-122010 Melody Thomas Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:49:24 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/29/6-tricks-for-writing-when-you-dont-feel-like-it/#comment-122010 Wonderful blog since this is something I struggle with. The closer to deadline I get the more I find myself occupied with everything else but the writing. I have found setting the timer very helpful during these periods of procrastination and utter terror that I will not make my deadline. It's like I'm giving myself permission to get up after a certain time has passed without guilt. This has eased the pressure on me and I find I am more productive because I see an end to staring at the computer screen in frustration if something is not flowing. It's strange how the mind unlocks itself if you can just give the fear release. Wonderful blog since this is something I struggle with. The closer to deadline I get the more I find myself occupied with everything else but the writing. I have found setting the timer very helpful during these periods of procrastination and utter terror that I will not make my deadline. It’s like I’m giving myself permission to get up after a certain time has passed without guilt. This has eased the pressure on me and I find I am more productive because I see an end to staring at the computer screen in frustration if something is not flowing. It’s strange how the mind unlocks itself if you can just give the fear release.

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]]> By: A.H. George http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/29/6-tricks-for-writing-when-you-dont-feel-like-it/#comment-121979 A.H. George Thu, 30 Jul 2009 11:36:59 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/29/6-tricks-for-writing-when-you-dont-feel-like-it/#comment-121979 Great post - my first time here. I wrote full time for several years (I have published four novels in the UK and my fifth is about to be submitted) having written my first two and half novels while working full-time as an attorney. I found the best way of maximizing efficiency was to mirror my old work habits. I treated it just like any other job. I had a studio a short walk away from the house (this was in London - I live in Missouri now) and would leave at the same time each day, etc. We had a new baby at the time and the old cliche about the baby carriage in the hallway is true! Now I am working again as a lawyer, and I completed my new book by getting up at 5 a.m. every morning to write for two hours before the children wake up. (This is the only time I know I will have to myself on a regular basis, and I need routine more than anything.) Sometimes I just sit staring dully at the screen; sometimes I type like a madman. But there's no question that rule #1 is the most important - if you don't show up, nothing's going to get written. I may be wrong about this, but I think it was G. K. Chesterton who, when asked when inspiration strikes, replied, "At 9.30 every morning." Great post – my first time here. I wrote full time for several years (I have published four novels in the UK and my fifth is about to be submitted) having written my first two and half novels while working full-time as an attorney. I found the best way of maximizing efficiency was to mirror my old work habits. I treated it just like any other job. I had a studio a short walk away from the house (this was in London – I live in Missouri now) and would leave at the same time each day, etc. We had a new baby at the time and the old cliche about the baby carriage in the hallway is true!

Now I am working again as a lawyer, and I completed my new book by getting up at 5 a.m. every morning to write for two hours before the children wake up. (This is the only time I know I will have to myself on a regular basis, and I need routine more than anything.) Sometimes I just sit staring dully at the screen; sometimes I type like a madman. But there’s no question that rule #1 is the most important – if you don’t show up, nothing’s going to get written.

I may be wrong about this, but I think it was G. K. Chesterton who, when asked when inspiration strikes, replied, “At 9.30 every morning.”

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]]> By: Carol Ann Erhardt http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/29/6-tricks-for-writing-when-you-dont-feel-like-it/#comment-121977 Carol Ann Erhardt Thu, 30 Jul 2009 11:20:54 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/29/6-tricks-for-writing-when-you-dont-feel-like-it/#comment-121977 What a great and timely blog. Thanks, Barbara. I've been procrastinating a lot lately. I blame the dreaded day job, household necessities, and interruptions, but the problem is ME. I have used the change of scene a lot. I enjoy taking my laptop to the back deck to write. I don't have wireless, so I am not tempted to surf or check emails. I like the 20 minute followed by reward. Think I'll give it a whirl. What a great and timely blog. Thanks, Barbara. I’ve been procrastinating a lot lately. I blame the dreaded day job, household necessities, and interruptions, but the problem is ME. I have used the change of scene a lot. I enjoy taking my laptop to the back deck to write. I don’t have wireless, so I am not tempted to surf or check emails. I like the 20 minute followed by reward. Think I’ll give it a whirl.

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