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I had to give myself a break, and even shelf a project for a bit to distance and detach myself from the dreaded burden that was weighing me down. It literally felt like I was dragging a couple hundred horses behind me who were galloping the other direction at the same time. Ugh! I'm exhausted just thinking about it.
One night, I had a cathartic event that helped me, even just a tiny bit, to dig myself out of my deep hole of writing despair. I decided to start plotting out an idea for a new project, which I have started working on. I thought that if I started with something fresh and new that I'd whip myself into shape. You know what? It worked. IT WORKED! Hallelujah and jump up and down and twirl in circles like a giddy little girl!
So what I'm saying here on this #ISWG Wednesday is:
- If you need to, take a break
- Shelf a project for a while to distance yourself from it, to breath again
- Work on a different project to get your writing blood boiling again
What are your tips to get you writing again? How have you overcome wanting to quit?
Writing. Jewels.
I took August off from writing and blogs, but now that I'm back and reading everyone's posts, I feel inspired again. Sometimes it takes a break for you to realize how much you would miss it if you quit.
ReplyDeleteBreaks are amazing. Yes, I would miss writing if I quit. No, no, no quiting. :D Thanks for stopping by, Patti!
DeleteGood for you! i took a long break between my last book and current manuscript, but when the right idea hit, I was ready.
ReplyDeleteNice! Glad you had the inspiration bug hit. :D
DeleteSo glad to hear you've got your mojo back! Taking a break always works for me!
ReplyDeleteBreaks are good. And mojo is even better.
DeleteExcellent advice and congrats on the new project! I hope it continues to make you happy.
ReplyDeleteThanks, girl!
DeleteWhat a great story! I've gone through cycles like this, where I think--I'm done! But something always brings me back, mostly my love for writing, and sometimes it is a new idea for me also. Glad you got your oomph back!! :D
ReplyDeleteGreat word: Oomph. I've just gotta keep it strong. Thanks for stopping by, Cortney. :D
DeleteI did Camp NaNo in August and took the month off from blogging. It was kind of nice though I missed everyone.
ReplyDeleteGood job on Camp NaNo. I plan on doing NaNoWriMo in November. That was amazing last year.
DeletePeriodically I do have to take a break from all things related to writing. (That's drafting, outlining, world-building, and edits.) I'll watch TV, read for pleasure, etc. You have to refill the creative well routinely or you'll drain yourself too much. Glad you're enjoying writing again!
ReplyDelete"Refill the creativity well". I like that. Thanks!
DeleteI wish I could do that, but I get so obsessive about characters and their story that I cannot concentrate on another project until the first is wrapped up and being queried. Apparently I don't have room in my pointy little head for more than one novel at a time...
ReplyDeleteThat is great that you can focus so much on a project. Way to keep going to the very end.
DeleteSo glad to see you all excited again. Taking a break is what I do when the writing blues hit me. Good luck on your new writing project, I'm so curious...... (:
ReplyDeleteYou better be curious, Elise. SPHERICAL is a fun book to write. I hope it'll be a fantastic book to read. :D
DeleteAwesome to hear the break worked and you are excited about writing again. I am definitely taking your advice on board. Good luck with your new project. cheers
ReplyDeleteHi, Clay. I'm glad I could be of help to you. Thanks for the wish of luck on my new project. I hope it goes well. :D
DeleteI totally agree about taking a break and/or working on something new if you're having a slump or just not feeling the spark. It's better to put something on hiatus than to push yourself through when you're just not feeling it.
ReplyDeleteI've found that if I'm not feeling it, I write a whole bunch of crap. Better to back away for a bit or work on something different.
DeleteYep. Sometimes I read to clear my head or a new project grabs my attention...which can be bad. I have several projects at different stages now. O.o
ReplyDeleteGlad things are working out better for you now.
I never thought I could have multiple projects going at the same time. But it works out...somehow. haha Reading is good, too. I'm getting myself back into reading to give me that extra oomph! :D Thanks for stopping by, Laura.
DeleteWow. I guess these slumps can hit agented and published authors, too. I'm glad you got your mojo back.
ReplyDeleteMy problem is not a lack of desire to write, it's the opposite--frustration over life getting in the way and keeping me FROM writing. I'm about to pull my hair out lately! (Or leave my family and get my own apartment. LOL)
Anyhow, great post! :)
IWSG #170 ...until Alex culls the list again.
Yep, it happens to all of us. Ugh! Life gets in the way for me too. Perhaps, you should go on a writing retreat. Get away for the weekend. No family allowed. :D Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI agree that sometimes a break of sorts is needed. I did something similar this past summer. I was growing weary of my WIP, so I participated in an online short story contest. Nothing long that would draw me away from working on my manuscript, but something to recharge my creative juices. Not only did it reinvigorate me, but I ended up with the kernel of an idea for my next projet.
ReplyDelete)late posting from a IWSG member)