Any writer will probably tell you that they don't write because they want to. They write because they need to. At any given moment I have stories and ideas and characters in my head all trying to escape onto a page. And I can't remember a time when I didn't have that particular problem :) Oftentimes, imagining them is a lot more fun than sitting down to actually write them. Writing is hard work. It takes time, and a lot of mental energy and it can be draining. That's why I have to remember to keep it fun. To take joy in it. Sure, it's a job and sure I have to sit down and write every day otherwise I won't get anything done. But if you're not careful it can start to feel like a chore instead of a calling.
Lately, I've been putting a lot of pressure on myself to get my word counts in and get the book written (for the love of God GET SOMETHING WRITTEN!) and it's been so hard to sit and stare at that little flashing cursor on my word program mocking me. Reminding me that I don't feel like doing this right now. (That cursor can be such a jerk sometimes.) And I'll sit all day and maybe write 500 words (maybe) but the thing is I still am constantly thinking about my characters. About how they'll react to situations. How they treat each other. How they'll act when they figure out that they're in love. So why is it so difficult for me to get the words onto the page? Because I started equating writing with stress.
So today, instead of being hard on myself for not being farther along I sat back, watched some fun, romantic, and exciting movies to get myself in the groove of writing a fun, romantic, exciting book and worked on my collage. The collage for this book was a mess before today. I think it's because that's how I had been feeling about the book and it reflected in my art. I started from scratch on it this morning and you know what? I'm super motivated right now. I feel like I have a better grasp on the plot, on the emotions, on the direction the book is going. All because I'm letting myself have fun with it. So listen to music that sounds like your book. Take the time out to watch a fun movie that inspires you. Write a scene just for fun and not because you have a word count goal to meet. Keep the joy alive.
So from now on when writing starts to feel like a chore I need to remind myself to have fun with it because writing is my life and I want to enjoy it.
Lately, I've been putting a lot of pressure on myself to get my word counts in and get the book written (for the love of God GET SOMETHING WRITTEN!) and it's been so hard to sit and stare at that little flashing cursor on my word program mocking me. Reminding me that I don't feel like doing this right now. (That cursor can be such a jerk sometimes.) And I'll sit all day and maybe write 500 words (maybe) but the thing is I still am constantly thinking about my characters. About how they'll react to situations. How they treat each other. How they'll act when they figure out that they're in love. So why is it so difficult for me to get the words onto the page? Because I started equating writing with stress.
So today, instead of being hard on myself for not being farther along I sat back, watched some fun, romantic, and exciting movies to get myself in the groove of writing a fun, romantic, exciting book and worked on my collage. The collage for this book was a mess before today. I think it's because that's how I had been feeling about the book and it reflected in my art. I started from scratch on it this morning and you know what? I'm super motivated right now. I feel like I have a better grasp on the plot, on the emotions, on the direction the book is going. All because I'm letting myself have fun with it. So listen to music that sounds like your book. Take the time out to watch a fun movie that inspires you. Write a scene just for fun and not because you have a word count goal to meet. Keep the joy alive.
So from now on when writing starts to feel like a chore I need to remind myself to have fun with it because writing is my life and I want to enjoy it.
That's my fun Geek Goofy pen and my collage in the background. Gotta keep things fun, guys :)
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