Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Whaddya Mean Ya Don't Wanna?...

Ever have one of those times in your life when you absolutely, positively could not force yourself to write a single sentence?

Maybe you hit a low point in your life and writing was the last thing on your mind. How did it make you feel?

I know how I feel when I'm not writing. I feel like a failure. I feel like I've just put up a really good front, told people all about my writing and then I feel like a sham. What was I thinking? (Way back when) What did I think I would be able to accomplish?

When you hit a low in your life, it is hard to keep writing. Some people can power through it, others can't. Sometimes you spend so much time in front of computer on a daily basis the last thing you want to do is sit in front of it to write.

I've hit lows before. I haven't wanted to write a single word, but I just can't get away from it. It's my passion and obviously something I am meant to do. When I don't like sitting in front of the computer, I will write stuff down in a notebook.

If I'm going through a rough time, I'll write all my angst out on paper and burn it later. Some of that stuff is not meant for other people to see. Those are some of my private thoughts, things I sometimes don't have the courage to say to someone, so why on earth would I want someone to accidentally stumble across it?

Seriously, I'd scare people.

So what do you do when you just don't have the energy to write? What do you do when things keep flying at you and you feel like you're spinning out of control? Do you power through or take a break to focus on yourself and re-energize? I'd really like to hear your thoughts on this.


Karen Jones Gowen said...

I get like that when I have a new book out. I'm like that now. It bothers me. The novel is done, the marketing is essentially done, it's time to move on but I just can't. It takes me awhile. What I do is read. I set a goal this time to read 100 books before I write another word. Reading is just as much a part of the writer's job as writing is.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I feel like that after a new book is out as well. I'm fresh out of ideas and burnt from the process.
Regroup - it will come back to you.

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

Hmmm. I tend to draw or to get my mind on other things. I find that when I'm really serious about writing and find the time, that eventually the words begin to flow.

Mel Chesley said...

That is all very good advice! Especially the reading, Karen. Thanks! I try to keep my mind focused on other things, but there are times when I just need to focus on me. Regroup and all that. Thanks for your input, everyone!

Unknown said...

I definitely take a break and regain my focus. If I find that I'm burning out of a particular thing (reading/writing etc) I'll step away and do something completely for me to regain some control (this often means playing Skyrim, but hey, it's fun).


Mel Chesley said...

Ooh Skyrim. I hear ya, I play games to sort of 'veg out'.