"You can't
wait for inspiration. Sometimes you have to go after it with a club." ~ Jack London
A new story is like a birthday present. I can’t wait to
tear off the paper and see what’s inside. A new story comes to me in the oddest
ways. Sometimes, it’s in a dream . . . or in that twilight just before sleep
when my mind drifts. Most nights, my mind races from one thing to another. What
I need to do the next day, what I forgot to do, what I need to add to the
grocery list.
But when my mind settles down and clears, ideas float
through. If I were organized, I’d write down the idea, using the lighted pen my
friend gave me. Big problem. I have no idea where that pen is. Besides, if I did
find pen and paper, I’d wake up, and my mind would start racing again. Who
wants that? Besides, if the idea is strong enough, I’ll remember it in the
morning. Usually.
The idea is the best part of the new story. It’s shiny,
new—squirrel. Like the lovable dog in the movie Up, I’ll chase that new
idea, leaving the old one behind.
If I were disciplined, I would jot down the new idea then
return to the old story. The story I need to finish first. Wonderful advice. If
I followed it, my story would be done.
Why am I not writing?
Am I waiting for my Muse to use her cattle prod? Is she
whispering “Open the file” but Netflix is so loud I can’t hear her? Or is it
easier to let life’s stresses grab a hold of my mind?
All of the above?
I’m open to any suggestions on getting inspiration back
into my mind. Anyone have a club?
6 comments:
I hear you Diane! I'm always distracted by 'something shiny' and have been trying to discipline myself better to finish what I started first.
Thanks, Maureen. Yep. Easier to work on something new. Discipline is what I'm missing. LOL
We have a meeting a couple weeks and I want to read your pages from that story. Oh wait, does pressure count as inspiration? 😀
Di, when were you the most productive with your writing? A particular time of day? After a regular routine of chores? Late at night? Find those patterns and bring them back into your day to day. If you love binge watching like I do, use that as your carrot on the stick. No Netflix until 5-10 pages. Tho' I can't force myself to get up at 4:30 AM now that I'm retired, the early hours are still my best. When I found myself spending HOURS on social media, I made that my carrot. No opening FB or MSN until after my pages were done. That forced me to finish my new release and has gotten me into Chapter 2 of the new project. If you like, I can threaten you because I REALLY want to read that next book!!
I hear you loud and clear, Diane. It's so easy right now to be distracted by everything going on in the world, and in our own lives, too. Tom had two cataract surgeries this month, and while they went well and are really minor, it seems the entire month has been consumed by that and all the other appointments that go along with it. Plus, I am torn between working on a new book and revising a finished ms. to submit to my publisher. Then I wander off and take a class or two. I seem to have lost my structure, but I have faith I'll get it back. I think you will, too, or you could just let Nancy threaten you, lol!
Great post. I think a lot of writers have that problem with certain stories. I get hung up, too. Good luck finding your muse! --Elizabeth
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