QUOTE OF THE NOW

"Our life evokes our character. You find out more about yourself as you go on. That's why it's good to be able to put yourself in situations that will evoke your higher nature rather than your lower. 'Lead us not into temptation.'" Joseph Campbell

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

My writing identity crisis

Last November was the first time I didn't finish Nanowrimo, and marked the beginning of my hard core, instense writer's block. So the question is... do I dive into Nanowrimo this year? Attempt to get my mojo back?

For now I've completely put it aside--the plotting, the writing attempts, the worry--and I'm just crocheting Christmas presents instead. Maybe if I get them done by end of October.

Maybe if I tell everyone at work, and tell them to pressure me. They're a supportive gang. Today my boss said he's thinking of how to break my legs so I can't leave in the spring. Nothing says love like broken legs. 


8 comments:

Robena Grant said...

I haven't done NaNo in about five years. I'd do it this year but I'm going to Australia instead. : )
It's good to force yourself into the seat and to put the words on paper and really challenge yourself with the act of writing daily. And have support and accountability. However, nothing came of the couple of stories that I NaNo'd. I think they were huge dissjointed, unreedemable stories. Psychobabble. : ) The one time that I did it without registering, I had about 1/3 of the story written and much of it outlined when I started, I finished that one, re-wrote it, and published it.

Skye said...

I've never managed to get past the first week of Nano, so I applaud your having finished it in the past.

Do you work well when pressured or not? I work well under deadline pressure for work or school, but if other's pressure me too much, I get my back up and rebel.

As for the writer's block, have you tried just free writing, with no goal in mind? Every day, spend 5-20 minutes with a notebook, writing in stream of consciousness. Even if all you write is "Shit shit shit shit" or "why can't I write a fucking thing" over and over and over until the time is over, at least you are writing and you are priming the pump. Eventually the other writing happens again. Nancy Goldberg (I think that's her first name) recommends doing these writing exercises every day, whether you have a WIP or not. I have found it useful when I've done it. Just a suggestion.

Good luck, whatever you choose to do!

Simone said...

What Skye said.

Simone said...

....something somthing heels clicking as she walked across the floor off the unemployment office something something.... HA! motivated yet??

Judy,Judy,Judy. said...

For me,if I'm not making money at it AND I'm not enjoying it, writing motivation is hard.
The question becomes, what will make me enjoy it? Nanowrimo doesn't do it for me.
If it does it for you - go for it. If not - what's the point?

widdershins said...

I've decided to do NaNo this year, for the first time evah ... please come play with me?

Anonymous said...

This is one of my favorite rules to live by:
do what makes you happy.

Will NaNo be a pleasurable experience? Will you have fun? Can you let go enough to try it (again) with no expectations?

Go with what your heart says.

Also, that movie from your last post? We saw it. And it was great. Jason is one of my favorites. We recently rented another film he was in, with Emily Blunt. The 5 Year Engagement. It was long, but worth it.
Julie
(who hasn't done NaNo but has posted daily for years now)

London Mabel said...

@Robena - yes! See that's my concern. I don't try to finish a book in that time, just get the first 50 000 words done--but there's always so much rewriting to do after, I'm not sure it's worth it. Unless I start with a hard core outline this time.

@Skye - I think I have Goldberg's book here. I stopped reading writing books for awhile cause I overdosed, but maaybe it's time to crack one. ;-)

@Simone - That's what I've been missing! An opening scene at the unemployment office!

@widders - You are?? Well, that does help sway me...

@Julie - Last year was the first time it stopped being fun. Previous years, always a blast.

I just watched the 5 Year Engagement this week! I agree a bit too long, but it was great. (And I could certainly identify, even though married.) I've got the Muppets on reserve at the library, for my next Segal fix.

Reading

Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love
Les années douces : Volume 1
Back on the Rez
My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist's Personal Journey
Stupeur et tremblements
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