Not So Great Aspects of Writing

This week we've been discussing why we write. We listed those reasons and discussed our favorite aspects of writing. Today we'll look at those not-so-great aspects of writing and continue building our SOS sheet.
Why is it that when the doubts come they feel like boulders on our shoulders? They're never tiny nigglers, oh no, they're huge, insurmountable. There were a few times when I lost days of writing to my doubts. I could not move forward. I just kept repeating the same doubts over and over in my head until I was just sick of myself.
I finally told myself to make a decision. Either I'm a writer or I'm not. If I am, well, I have to sit down and write. I have to trust that someday I'll get published. If I'm not a writer, then I have to cancel my writing group memberships, put away the laptop, and give up on my dreams.
Put in those terms, there was really no choice.
I'm a writer.
Period.
But, the doubts still come to me now and again. I've found a way to get through them quickly. I have a plan. I've referred to it before: the SOS sheet.
Today, I want you to write down the aspects of writing that drive you nuts. And, yes, I'm sharing my list below.

• Thinking my idea is no good and giving up on it too soon
• On the third round of revisions, finding a million mistakes or repetitions that I'd missed the first two rounds
• Hitting the middle of a manuscript and having no idea what comes next
• Coming up with a title
• Trying to figure out the perfect hook
• Staring at the blank page of Chapter One
• Getting a rejection
• Losing a contest
• Hearing a friend got a rejection
• Spending any time (even a second) thinking about when I'll get published. I can't do it. It paralyzes me every time. It's an off-limits topic in my brain.
• Reading a fantastic book and wondering if I could ever be even half that good
• Reading a lousy book and wondering why I haven't gotten the call
• Hearing well-intentioned acquaintances ask if I'm published yet. Then getting the stare of pity.
• Finishing a book 3000 words short of the guidelines and having no idea where to inject more words

You get the idea. I'm sure your list will look very different from mine. The things I find enjoyable may be the ones you dread. And vice versa. Whatever your reasons are, please write them down. They belong on your SOS sheet.

Sometimes we forget that we've already been through the bad phase we're in. That's why it's so important to write these down. When you feel like giving up, just take out the sheet and you'll realize, "oh, that's right. I turn into a raving maniac at this part of the process. I got through it before, I'll get through it again."

Next week we're going to discuss concrete actions you can take to get yourself out of a funk.

Enjoy your weekend!

Tweet

Share

Great Aspects of Writing

What do you do when you hit a writing wall? Do you convince yourself you will never be a good writer? Do the doubts creep in and overtake you? Well, that happens to me too. I have a few tricks up my sleeve to help me through those times.
The key to getting rid of doubts is to nip them in the bud. I'm recommending serious backtalk to those buggers. When you're feeling useless, out of ideas, grammatically challenged, and just plain lousy, you need an SOS sheet to refer to. Think of it as your own personal defibrillator.

SOS sheet? What's that?

An SOS sheet contains four main sections. It starts with your personal list of reasons why you write. It continues on to your favorite aspects of writing. A list of your danger zones comes next. Finally, you'll have a section of concrete actions you can take to get back in your groove.

If you haven't written down a list of reasons why you write, go back to Monday's post. Look at the questions, but don't limit yourself to my questions. Really think about why you write and jot down your answers. Now you have the first section of your SOS sheet.

Think about the greatest parts of writing. My list will look very different from yours. But I'll share mine with you to get you thinking.

• An idea pops in my head. I start thinking about it and before I know it an entire story needs to be written. No better feeling!
• When I finish my final draft of a novel and know it was the very best I could do at that point in my life.
• Looking at my watch and realizing I just wrote nine pages without looking up. (Rare!)
• Having revelations about my current WIP while grocery shopping, or showering, or walking... Needless to say, I can't wait to get home and write them down.
• Talking to other writers. Writing groups keep me sane.
• Reading a great blog, or finding out an author just made a first sale. Both inspire me.
• Studying a book on the writing craft and applying the knowledge to my own work. Who doesn't like to feel they're improving?
• Thinking up the worst titles for a book ever. Bulging Butcher Buys a Bride. Coming up with cringe-worthy titles takes the pressure off.
• Reading my writing. Sometimes I laugh out loud at my own prose--in a good way!
• Looking back at my calendar and seeing how far I've come.

What about you? What are the best aspects of writing for you? Please, write them down. You'll need to refer to them when your writing flounders, or you're too busy to write, or you start missing your writing days.

Join me on Friday when we'll discuss the not so great aspects of writing.

And...

Write Already--It's Wednesday!

Tweet

Share