Sometimes it seems like the hardest part of accomplishing anything is to actually start. This is true whether the end goal is completing a workout, building something, or writing (or in my current case editing) a book.
The days get so busy that by the time we have a spare moment to write, it’s already late, we’re too tired to actually focus on what needs done, or we’ve just spent an entire day on the computer only to come home and have to convince ourselves to spend more time on a computer. It is in those times that it does help to keep in mind that the task doesn’t necessarily need done right at that moment. It can wait until the timing is better.
That is something I have to remind myself of frequently (and it’s part of why I enjoy my crafty, less mentally demanding activities).
There are some times when I am not in the right mindset/capability to work on my writing, for any number of reasons, and it has taken quite a while to come to the understanding that it’s okay… I’m hardly saying that it’s easy. I’m reminded of a quotation from George Gordon, Lord Byron: “If I don’t write to empty my mind, I go mad.” And let me tell you, sometimes I get the literary equivalent of an earworm- the ideas that sneak their way into my mind whenever I’m not actively engaged in something.
Most of these ideas pertain to books in my series. The ones not yet drafted. Where the individual elements have not yet been defined, and anything beyond the basic premise could be altered. That time between the inception of an idea and the fleshing out of the story.
One thing I have noticed since completing the first draft of book three this past NaNoWriMo is that that particular “earworm” has left my mind now that the story has been written. My current “earworm” is for book four. I don’t mind following those ideas because they do allow me to flesh out characters and relationships in a grander scale than might otherwise happen within the scope of a single book.
That said, sometimes we just have to take things one step at a time, even if those steps are in seemingly different directions. As long as we make progress, that really seems to be the important thing.
What do you do when you find yourself with ideas bursting to get out, but you have a lack of time/motivation to do anything with them? Do you find sticking to a schedule (no matter what) works better for you? Or does taking time to get in the right mindset work better? I’d love to hear from you!
~ Theresa
You may unsubscribe at any time.