Wednesday, April 21, 2010
The long and winding road
We’ve been talking about burnout; blogging, writing, and otherwise lately. And sometimes about how non-writers don’t quite get what could possibly be so hard or draining about sitting down and writing. Plot Whisperer has a great post here about the stamina a writer needs for their journey. Check it out and tell me: What part of the process is most draining for you? What is the most difficult part, mentally or physically, of your writer’s journey? Is there a point where you know that if you’ve gotten that far, you’re going to make it to the end?
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I have to say that writing the story was fun and inviting. I felt like I could go anywhere, learn anything, make the story something amazing. My muse was in full effect and it felt amazing... however I took a huge downturn when I started to revise. I just got back on the bandwagon last night and I was proud for working on it but that didn't make any less difficult. I'm hoping that I have a Muse for revising to help me feel a little better about what I did!!
ReplyDeleteI've found that during difficult parts, writers block, a tough revision, discouragement, one of two things helps. Either throw myself into the writing and just get those words on the page, or take a little break. An afternoon off, a walk, a week away from the page. Either works, depending on where I am with the writing.
ReplyDeleteThe editing is by far the most draining for me. That's when I go back and question everything and all my words blur together.
ReplyDeleteI like the editing, it's the creation that causes me agonies. I could revise forever to avoid starting a new project.
ReplyDeleteI discourage easily, period. Every stage of the game I have amazing highs and then seem to hit low ebb. I think creating marketing materials -- query and synopsis-- was the most demoralizing. I was sure the story was no good and I'd never convince anyone otherwise. What I was really uncovering was a truth that I was marketing too soon. (The agents I test marketed with seemed to indicate this pretty clearly.)
ReplyDeleteSo now I try to dig deeper when the demoralizing moments come and ask "what's making me unhappy or scared?"
The rejections get to me. It's when I find out that I haven't got it, even when I thought that I had. Then I call myself a wannabe writer and go down a spiral of demoralization. Eventually I climb back out. So far.
ReplyDeleteFor some reason, I'm stalling lately. Don't know why, but I do realize it's on purpose - subconciously. I've barely even opened the WiP in a month now. I need to get things revised and get the query out. Maybe I'm just worrying it--and my writing--all around sucks, who knows, lol.
ReplyDeleteREVISIONS!! (I'm with Aubrie on this one!)
ReplyDeleteI am inspired by something and then I instantly feel the need to write, or, perhaps I have an idea and need to put it into words. The hardest thing for me is doing justice to that idea and that inspiration, the words come naturally, but I always feel that I haven't quite captured the essence of what I wanted to say. So, the hardest thing for me is truly expressing my thoughts and then, later on, re-reading my work and highlighting the areas where I haven't quite done so.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the editing part. I get to make my creation shine. The first draft is the most draining. That's when I have to put my imagination to the most work, immerse myself in my characters' emotions to portray exactly what I intend to portray. That for me is exhausting.
ReplyDeleteI think, for me, the idea of writing the story is always more fun than the actual writing of the story. Of course my editing tendencies doesn't help things much. :)
ReplyDeleteI find third and fourth revisions really draining. It's hard when you think you've got it nailed, then someone tells you it isn't working... so you try again, and again. Sigh!
ReplyDeleteI find revisions draining, but I think the worst part for me is the beginning actually! I write mysteries, so to figure out who is going to be the victim, the murderer, red herrings and real clues are a pain to organise:)
ReplyDeleteI really love Laurel's comment. :) And I have the most trouble with just feeling blocked! It's very discouraging. I love the links you post. they are so great:)
ReplyDeleteThe most difficult part of writing for me is to dredge up creativity after a draining 12 hour day of work. Roland
ReplyDeleteI hate when I lose my magic wand and instead of exciting adventure my story looks tired and mundane. I think our minds play tricks on us, and the biggest thing we may need to learn is patience. To put something aside and come back, to seek support from people who understand.
ReplyDeleteThe first five or six chapters...when I'm really getting to know my characters. I worry that I wont like them as much as the others, if they seem too this or that...after I click with them...its cake.
ReplyDeleteThe most discouraging things for me is when I reach that point of overfamiliarity with my WIP (this happens after three or four drafts). Every word looks trite or forced or just downright boring. I lose all the energy, the excitement that I felt. Any plot problems make me panic because I don't know how to fix them.
ReplyDeleteFortunately, feedback usually gets me out of that slump because as soon as someone else points something out, I start gushing "Oh, yes of course! And then I could do THIS! Perfect!"
Feeling tired. I have to rest up, then try again later. I need to take myself away from daily distractions. Also, looking at how far I've gotten gives me hope in reaching my goals.
ReplyDeleteRejections get to me. It seems like I've been at this long enough something should be happening by now. But I love the process too much to give up.
ReplyDeleteCurrently, the only part that's draining is finding the time and most importantly, the energy to do it all. Sometimes I just want to sleep or read...or both.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, we do need stamina to keep writing! Physically and emotionally. It's difficult to explain this to people who don't write. I keep going by imagining the finished product.
ReplyDelete