Writing Wednesdays (a day late!): How To Keep Going Once You've Begun
We missed our Monday and Wednesday post due to some schedule conflicts (heat exhaustion... and the official creation of the
) but no worries. My body temperature is back to normal. I've created a radio spot. The day was a success.
All is fine and we're back. And now on to our regularly scheduled, if somewhat late post.
How to Keep Writing Once You've Begun
You're stuck. There's no getting around it.
Your novel/essay/research paper has jelled into a ball. It was flowing and going. And now? It's stopped. Panic sets in.
Similar to Elizabeth Kubler Ross's grief stages, we've got the writing stages.
Stage One: Excitement:
You wake up, your heart pounding. Every idea seems golden and will make you a mint (or give you an A).
Stage Two: Creative Flow:
You've been pounding away at your computer or scribbling away in your notebook. It's all moving at an amazing pace. Ideas are flowing from your pen.
Stage Three: The Roadblock:
We all hit it. This is the part where your character or plot just winds down. You planned for Little Jane or Johnny to walk to the right. He or she goes to the left. You try a little harder for your character to do what you want. Your book (or paper) rebels. Everything digs its feet into the mud.
Here's where we come in.
How do you get out of Stage 3?
Here's a list of time honored Writing Block Breakers
Step away from the computer screen: Sometimes staring anxiously into the monitor just creates more panic. All those words. You're wasting time. Deadline is approaching! Go for a walk. Take twenty minutes and focus on the feeling of your body moving. Relax. Usually, once you've helped your body to relax, your mind will follow suit and you can return to your desk with a fresh perspective.
Stretch: Never underestimate the power of movement. Stand up, plant your bare feet and lift your hands above your head. Breathe. Repeat five times. Sit back down.
Believe. There is no substitute for straight-up belief. As we talked about here, no one else will take over your body and believe for you. You must believe all on your own. But, I'm here to help with inspiration (for the post on YAWP and self-belief, go here)