Butt In Chair. Book In Hiding.

Well,two weeks ago, I was all fired up to shed my bad summer habits (and perhaps even a few pounds) and kick off this fall with a renewed commitment to my writing discipline. And I have been walking the walk -- I submitted the first 30,000+ words of my book to my new editor and coach, Brooke Warner, and to a few other key readers, and got feedback that encouraged me immensely. Confident at last that I had completed a solid draft of part one of my novel (solid enough to move on, anyway), I created, with Brooke, a plan to complete part two between now and December 14th. I updated my outline. I blocked out writing time. And here I am. My butt is in the chair. The book, I pray, is in my brain. So why oh why won't it come out? Come out, come out, book! I'm right here, waiting!

This week, I can confidently say that I have not yet managed to write a single new paragraph I feel confident in. And I'm trying not to panic about it.

I've been writing long enough to know that this happens. I have had enough experience wallowing in wretched writing days to know that they are often followed by glorious breakthroughs. But when you are standing on a street corner getting rained on, knowing the sun will come out eventually doesn't make you feel any drier.

So my question for today is: what do you do when you are stuck? Today I have gone between editing and reediting a thousand words I don't really like but can't bring myself to cut, to lying on my bed reading "Where'd You Go, Bernadette?" (hilarious), to trying to find a decent-priced plane ticket home for the holidays (a task more impossible than writing, but which at least comes with someone besides myself to blame for the failure). But I wonder, at a certain point, if I wouldn't have been a lot better off removing my butt from the chair, going outside, and taking a walk.

My friend Amy Fox, one of the smartest writers I know, tells her students they should all have something they do when there's nothing-doing on the writing side. After X hours of bad, go to the movies. After X hours of zilch, play guitar. But how many hours is X? And can you let go of that infamous writer's guilt long enough to go to the movies when YOU SHOULD BE WRITING?

My next post, I promise, will be all about how good it feels to be frolicking in the warm sun of creative bounty again. Or at least that's what I have to believe. Otherwise, I might not be able to get my butt back in the chair.

16 members like this

Comment

You need to be a member of She Writes to add comments!

Join She Writes

Comment by Evelyn Sharenov on October 6, 2012 at 4:04pm: A nap, a cocktail, read a book that has nothing to do with your current project, go out to dinner with friends. If it's possible, let your book go - find a mantra to fill that space until what you're too actively seeking finds you.

Comment by Ilie Ruby on September 30, 2012 at 10:24am: Take a nap. Go for a walk. Meditate. Do something else. Sometimes a change in surroundings will change the inner landscape. Just my two cents. Mostly, KNOW this is temporary. Much love, Ilie :)

Comment by Astra Groskaufmanis on September 28, 2012 at 1:41pm: I'm feeling a bit stuck myself having now written several chapters written of a humour memoir. I'm thinking of taking one of the chapters and re-writing it from a different point of view (i.e. third person instead of first person) and see if that stirs something up! I am inspired, though, but all the techniques offered here too!

Comment by Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar on September 27, 2012 at 2:29am: I am in the same boat, Kamy. I wanted to have finished a manuscript by now but managed two chapters. I'm trying being nicer to myself (instead of 'you lazy....' more 'you love this story...' and also what you've already done, be vulnerable and open with others about needing a reminder of why we do this. Yes, deadlines and word counts are I,portent but it's like bringing a relationship. Do you want flowers without love? Remind yourself why you're doing Thailand maybe it will go back to excitement rather than duty. I'm trying all this to and admitting my worst fear dismantles it somewhat since it isn't a secret anymore: what if I'm a terrible writer who is wasting her time?

Comment by Stacy Sorrells on September 26, 2012 at 12:21pm: Well, there is nothing new for me to add here, but sometimes I do what Janna McMahan's #1 and #3 (I also don't believe in "blocks"). Usually its other responsibilities that keep me from writing, at those times I do what Christina M. Rau does and I just don't write. I also do no set writing (word count) goals, instead I set time goals...knowing that I will have to get to writing, keeps my story and characters somewhat on my mind throughout the day, even when I'm busy with other things.

Comment by Helen W. Mallon on September 26, 2012 at 11:12am: Much of this has been said, Kamy, but I know the feeling! It's like constipation. (Icky metaphor) I have learned not to trust my "this is crap" persona. If I have a bad writing day, I don't revise immediately--my judgment is likely to be skewed. The tighter your mind grips the writing, the less likely you are to be able to see it. I think the Lev Raphael advice is great--let your subconscious/unconscious mind have a go, while you give yourself a break enjoy some self-compassion! Hope this helps.

Comment by Christina M. Rau on September 26, 2012 at 6:54am: When I'm stuck, I simply let it run its course. The more I fight it, the worse it gets. So I just don't write. I do everything not to write. Of course, if a deadline is near, this method doesn't work all the time, but most of the time, I can get unstuck more quickly if I don't try to get unstuck.

Comment by Peg Herring on September 26, 2012 at 5:24am: Great advice from everyone here. For me, the walk often does it, but the B.I.T.C.H. principle must apply at some point. Butt in the chair, Honey. If you were a surgeon who wasn't in the mood to operate, you'd still have to finish up.

Comment by Janna McMahan on September 26, 2012 at 5:04am: Whenever I have a hard time moving forward (I never say stuck!) I work on my novel in different ways. I'll

1) Edit what I already have. Often rereading and reconsidering what exists jars some idea that will reveal a new avenue for the story. At the least, you'll have a clean manuscript!

2) Research! Read a book on my topic. I'll often interview somebody who is an expert in the topic or has had an experience that my characters will need to have. I do online research, following the chain of logic until I uncover something that will contribute to the story.

3) Go back through my notes looking for ideas I meant to include. I take copious notes, on my phone, my ipad, note pads strewn about my life. I'll gather these and go through them and either organize them into my idea file, or write them into my story.

4) I'll do an activity that my character will be doing so I can accurately describe the event. Say my character is a cook, I'll make a dish that they will be creating in the story and then write about the smells and feels and general experience of making that dish. Good stuff to give your writing a sense of real world authenticity.

5) Do some marketing. If all else fails to spark your word flow you can move ahead on your book by writing the dust jacket copy. This will not only help editors to easily conceptualize your story, but it will help you as the writer define exactly what the story is about in your mind. Think about how you can describe your story in two short paragraphs. When it comes time to market your book you'll be glad you did this. As your story evolves so will your description.

6) Do other marketing! Make a media contact list. Want to be on a local TV show when your book is released? Find out the producer of that segment. Make a list of dream media (blogs, newspapers, magazines, television and radio shows) and work toward having a comprehensive list by the time your book comes out. Another thing you will be glad you did when you launch your book. You will be responsible for nearly all your marketing. Make the most of the time you have by preparing. This all contributes to the success of your book, so it counts as moving forward in a big way.

Hope this helps! I don't believe in writers block. There is always something that you can do to move ahead.

Comment by Janice Seagraves on September 25, 2012 at 11:55pm: Take a walk, go to the mall, catch a movie or go to the museum. Sometimes a different scenery can shake those cobwebs loose.

Janice~