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Benefits
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To Writers:
How do you handle your creativity? I have heard that some people have times set aside for writing while others write in spurts.
I get entire paragraphs or chapters at once in my head and then nothing for weeks...
I find this rather intense... uncomfortable.
Is this common? If you have this experience, tell me please how you handle it.
Thank you
Msj,
While I was in the process of writing my first novel, I underwent what you described. I wouldn’t force it. The characters always lived with me, and oftentimes I’d be doing housework or drifting off to sleep when the plot would reveal itself to me along with turns of phrases.
Though I write everyday, my writing has taken other detours to articles which hone my skills and creativity in other ways. The second novel has progressed as far as Chapter 7, but there isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t think about its twists and turns.
The plot is outlined in my head...I find to do this on paper would stifle me as when I’m writing, the elements take on a life of their own.
While you are in limbo, you are still assimilating life all around you which will find its way in your writing. Everyone works differently, but I identify with what you’ve described.
My creativity just flows as I write, but I do have to set aside the time to do so and when I do it just flows. I think I can be done with this book if I stop allowing other things to get me side tracked lol, I’m going to focus on getting this book done before I go back to work in (4) weeks 
Mine doesn’t work that way. I can sit at a desk and nothing. Zero. Zip.
Yet at the most inopportune times my mind is bombarded with scenes, words, dialogue, paragraphs....
Of course I can use the time “set aside” to rework and formulate the writing...
This is something that really bugs me. I mean this happens just before I fall asleep, or when a picture, road sign etc. triggers my brain. I know that if I don’t pull over (if I’m driving) and write notes I will not remember...
If the creativity hits at home many times in the 11 p.m. hour, I will be up till 2-4 a.m. with my fingers just playing the keyboard! then I am spent. Drained.
I would love to be able to harness this or channel the creativity to the times when it fits into my sschedule. Such as Monday morning 8-11 a.m. I have tried this and I end up sitting at the computer and playing, if the well is dry then it is dry....
Annie, yes, it is a struggle to just sit at a desk, example the other night the book cover and title BAM! into my brain, then about 2 chapters... crazy, I do have someone interest from people...
When I wrote the article for the magazine was the same way BAM! That ended up being a 4 page article after cutting out much much much. The publisher wanted more but I just couldn’t do the followups, it was regarding the assault on me that almost took my life...
p.s. sorry if I sound odd right now, I am having some anxiety.
Oh Eva!!!!
I have been asking for years this question. YOU are the first person to say something positive about this.
I always get the you must make a time or you are not a real writer... blah blah blah...
So, I just scrapped it, as in the magazine wanting follow-ups... Thank you for your insight! This project has to do with my son and I am determined to get it out, also having the interest of a few eyeballs help with the motivation.
I will just continue to go with it..
So, Eva, did you feel drained in the beginning too? I mean right after you put the story on paper?
Annie!
I love this thread. Blog it sister!
Smiling BIG!
KEEP the answers coming. We have much artistic talent on this site I have discovered!
OKay I write everyday as we have to now for three sites and I also do a blog on a trade magazine - I sit down and plan ahead and then just write - but the planning has to be done in a certain way so usually as I’m doing the ironing the ideas come I make notes and then do the schedule - as I did train to be a journalist I have got past that inspiration mode as your usually under pressure but a good way is to just write - leave and then come back and revise .......... never stare at a blank piece of paper
Vikki,
So you are identifying my “delima” as
Inspiration Mode?
Okay, that is interesting, so, how did you learn to harness that energy? I have not heard of this.
How long have you been writing? Do you do novels? books? Give me feedback.
This is wonderful - I love all of these responses.
Msj ------ everything I do as regards work is about $$$$ as in how or when will it make money I make money from my site so yes it motivates me I also get pleasure when I'm writing about clothes or shoes etc as I'm passionate about product but I can also see what sells and what doesn't so at the moment shift dresses sell , tunics sell (This weekend we have sold 48 tunics)
Have a look at what I wrote you can see it's not Pulitzer prize stuff just strikes a chord
[Link Removed]
I also have sold loads of teasmades (have no idea why maybe started a trend) but I also love what I do and I write as I speak so it has my chatty tone .....
But I always think of the money honey $$$$$$ yes mercenary but effective
Eva,
Don’t apologize! I really appreciate your insight.
I would like to know more about this self publishing.
I originally wanted to go with blurb but someone in “The Biz” mentioned a monetary offer... As I said this book is about my son’s stuggles through my eyes so I would not want to give anyone control over that!
I just read the detail part of blurb contract and apparantly I would sign over certain rights...
Any input MUCH appreciated! This work is my baby.
I am part of a couple of writers groups and a couple of online sites. I like having those around me whose goals are similar to mine and occasionally I get to bounce ideas around with them without getting into total detail. I go with the flow so to speak; and if I get nothing flowing for one novel, I’ll work on the characters or the outline, at least I’m writing something. Can’t do it daily (work full time) except when I do National Novel Writing Month, and even then I write whatever I feel like so nothing is in order just got to get those 50,000 words down in order to finish. And finishing feels marvelous, I’ve done it 4 times!
Writers Digest online has “writing prompts” for when the well is dry LOL. I may read something in there and wind up writing a super short or a chapter for the book I’m working on now. I also write articles for examiner.com which has angered many who read my first book and expect more fiction. They get upset when they hear I’m writing astrology how to articles, but I tell them be patient, I’ll get back to my main genre when I feel it.
Eva, I hear you, there is a lot of joy in completing a book. I have a digital recorder that does overtime during National Novel Writing Month. I’m going to take a month off from the historical novel and polish off my erotic collection, too many fans are clamoring for more and I don’t want to disappoint them.
I think I may have to hire someone to type for me or buy Dragonspeak software for my computers. I have so many short stories and novellas written on everything and anything. Thanks to my full time job I can type like a fiend on the numbers keypad, but my hands on typing speed is dropping like under 40 wpm. That old saying “use it or lose it” is for real.
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