Wrimies Day 9
Nov. 9th, 2009 12:40 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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wrimiesSAGE HAS STOLEN THE DAILY POST MWAHAHA.
"Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go." - E. L. Doctorow
As of Sunday, we have entered the dreaded SECOND WEEK SLUMP. This is when the fire and enthusiasm of creation in the first week dulls out, motivation flags, you question more and more why you are putting so much energy into this, why is this project not resembling at all what you thought you were starting out with, and what is the point of doing all of this again? You are being deprived of your sleep and free time here! Cats demand to be cuddled! I could be playing Kingdom Hearts now, after all!
I know that the Second Week Slump hits me hard, year after year, and when I quit, it tends to be about now. But there are remedies to the negative feelings that might rear up this week, and tips that have worked for me that might motivate you as well.
1) Call up your mother, father, other family members, old friends, and tell them about the outstanding novel you are working on this month. Tell all of your friends about your great project. Make an announcement at the games you play in that you might be sparse due to your GREAT NOVEL. Tell your coworkers about it. Tell RANDOM STRANGERS. Go to a Nano Write-In and brag your pants off.
This is the single strongest motivator that gets me through the Second Week - PRIDE. So now everyone knows that I'm working on a novel, and they gave me their awe and support. What am I going to tell them if I decide I'm going to drop out? Sheepishly dodge my eyes, mumble some excuse about it not being the right time, try to change the subject so they won't realize what a quitter I am?
2) Poke around on another project for a half-hour or so. Perhaps you have a tag or two that you can do for an RP, or you wanted to quickly jot down a scene from a drabble you had in mind. Personally, I've been poking at random kink meme stories that may never see the light of day, but it gets me thinking and writing. Call it a warm-up to get your creative juices going.
3) BRIBERY. My reward for winning Nano this year will be a pair of Uggs. I know someone who will get herself a Mac Book if she completes it. Just think of something filthy and indulgent, then make it your prize at the end of this long road.
4) Don't kick yourself if you fall behind a little bit this week. You don't want to burn yourself out legitimately, after all. Maybe you DO need a lighter day, where you will aim for a 1000 words rather than your daily 2000. Maybe you need to take a break from word-crunches and just meditate on your novel a little bit. This is okay...as long as you aren't doing it all week. Then you are going to make the rush of the last week that much more frantic for yourself.
5) Stay optimistic about your project! Even if you can go on all day despairing about your lack of plot, good characters, skill, etc, establish one or two things that you do love about it. It also helps to remind yourself that Nano is PRACTICE for when you write your real-deal novels, or remind yourself that you have a rough gem now, and when you polish it in December, it's gonna shine. If you feel particularly proud about an exchange of dialogue or a bit of description, preen over it, maybe even share it here!
So, what are you guys doing to stay motivated this week?
"Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go." - E. L. Doctorow
As of Sunday, we have entered the dreaded SECOND WEEK SLUMP. This is when the fire and enthusiasm of creation in the first week dulls out, motivation flags, you question more and more why you are putting so much energy into this, why is this project not resembling at all what you thought you were starting out with, and what is the point of doing all of this again? You are being deprived of your sleep and free time here! Cats demand to be cuddled! I could be playing Kingdom Hearts now, after all!
I know that the Second Week Slump hits me hard, year after year, and when I quit, it tends to be about now. But there are remedies to the negative feelings that might rear up this week, and tips that have worked for me that might motivate you as well.
1) Call up your mother, father, other family members, old friends, and tell them about the outstanding novel you are working on this month. Tell all of your friends about your great project. Make an announcement at the games you play in that you might be sparse due to your GREAT NOVEL. Tell your coworkers about it. Tell RANDOM STRANGERS. Go to a Nano Write-In and brag your pants off.
This is the single strongest motivator that gets me through the Second Week - PRIDE. So now everyone knows that I'm working on a novel, and they gave me their awe and support. What am I going to tell them if I decide I'm going to drop out? Sheepishly dodge my eyes, mumble some excuse about it not being the right time, try to change the subject so they won't realize what a quitter I am?
2) Poke around on another project for a half-hour or so. Perhaps you have a tag or two that you can do for an RP, or you wanted to quickly jot down a scene from a drabble you had in mind. Personally, I've been poking at random kink meme stories that may never see the light of day, but it gets me thinking and writing. Call it a warm-up to get your creative juices going.
3) BRIBERY. My reward for winning Nano this year will be a pair of Uggs. I know someone who will get herself a Mac Book if she completes it. Just think of something filthy and indulgent, then make it your prize at the end of this long road.
4) Don't kick yourself if you fall behind a little bit this week. You don't want to burn yourself out legitimately, after all. Maybe you DO need a lighter day, where you will aim for a 1000 words rather than your daily 2000. Maybe you need to take a break from word-crunches and just meditate on your novel a little bit. This is okay...as long as you aren't doing it all week. Then you are going to make the rush of the last week that much more frantic for yourself.
5) Stay optimistic about your project! Even if you can go on all day despairing about your lack of plot, good characters, skill, etc, establish one or two things that you do love about it. It also helps to remind yourself that Nano is PRACTICE for when you write your real-deal novels, or remind yourself that you have a rough gem now, and when you polish it in December, it's gonna shine. If you feel particularly proud about an exchange of dialogue or a bit of description, preen over it, maybe even share it here!
So, what are you guys doing to stay motivated this week?
no subject
Date: 2009-11-09 06:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-11-09 07:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-11-09 07:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-11-09 07:45 pm (UTC)And I understand about needing to twiddle the crap out of a piece - but maybe that's where a bit of Nano wisdom could help too. Twiddle a little bit for now, but save most of the editing for later!
no subject
Date: 2009-11-09 07:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-11-10 04:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-11-10 04:14 pm (UTC)--taking a break to go get things set up with the health center, so I can get an appointment.
--Working on my TV scripts, RPGs (possibly updating EIAE), designing my Holiday Burlesque show costume, and doing some jewelry work for DarkoverCon.
--cleaning, doing laundry and dishes
--Posting on my various blogs about the awesome that is "Amber Rose (or Sophie demands a do-over)"
no subject
Date: 2009-11-10 04:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-11-11 03:24 am (UTC)Good luck on your goal! You have pretty manageable goals, and I know you can do it!
no subject
Date: 2009-11-11 02:00 am (UTC)I still haven't decided on my bribe. I'm inherently cheap and the holidays are coming and... I dunno.