Monday, April 26, 2010

Lack of Motivation

Have you ever lost your motivation to write? Lately, this has happened to me. I've procrastinated and procrastinated until I've turned it into a fine art.

But I'm a professional right? So I ought to be able write no matter what. The trouble is, professional or not I'm a perfectionist and just can't move forward if what I've written isn't just right. Even when I allow myself to write badly, I still can't do it. My gaze keeps drifting back to the last sentence until I can't stand it any longer and have to fix the thing before I can continue.

I know this is not a good thing, and I've been actively looking for ways to get myself back in the zone. I've purchase the AlphaSmart in the hopes that I'll be able to produce something if I'm not distracted by emails and word count. This is not working for me. I finally figured out the problem with my Dragon Naturally Speaking software--there was a program conflict--I fixed it but even that isn't motivating me. I even tried posting word count widgets for my WIPs on my blog in the hope that seeing the stagnant counters will motivate me to write. No such luck. I have no idea what to do to get myself writing again.

But I'm going to make it my top priority this week to try just about anything in an effort to find motivation to write.

Plan for tomorrow: Do school run, then go for a walk. Since that used to be part of my routine before Meggie got sick, I'm hoping it will get a few words out of me.

I'll let you know how I get on.

Hugs x
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29 comments:

  1. Monique, sweetie - I'm going through the same thing right now. Not fun at all! I think my problem is that I'm writing an American historical, yet the yummy hunk in my head is Brittish. ROFL!! I'm writing a Christian romance, but the hunk in my head wants to be a rogue. Sheesh! Behave, already! lol

    ~Phyllis~

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  2. Hi Monique - good topic! Most of us get stuck sometime or other - in writing and in life. My way of dealing with it is distinguishing (looking at) what my background conversations are behind why I'm stuck - recently I identified my conversation was "I'll never do it the way best sellers do it." When I saw that, I gave it up as a silly thing to think and created a mantra - Everyone Loves My Books! Since then, I love writing, editing and all of it. So far, so good - it's been three months!

    PS I used to teach Dragon to disabled people before I stopped teaching usability. I used it to write my 2nd book. It's great when you can get it working well!

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  3. Boy do I hear the perfectionst bit! If something seems rough I perseverate over it, can't get past it and pretty soon I'm stalled out... like now. Good luck, you'll be back in the swing soon. Maybe this is your muse taking a nap and deaming up something really spectacular :)

    Melissa

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  4. Phyllis, you poor thing :)

    Let's face it, all of your gorgeous hunks are delicious rogues, so it stands to reason that even your Christian hero would be trouble lol. I hope your guys behave, cos I can't wait to meet them!

    Hugs x

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  5. Lynn,

    You saying that makes me realise how much negative conversation I've been having with myself lately. I am definitely going to start the positive self-talk immediately! Thank you for sharing your mantra.

    Hugs x

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  6. Melissa,

    I hope you're right. I can't wait to do more than tinker with what I've already written, or stare at a blank Word doc. Hope you get started again very soon, too.

    Hugs x

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  7. Monique, editing and reading what you wrote is NOT procrastination. I always do that to get inspired. Reading what I wrote makes new ideas pop up. I start writing anything, even lousy writing can be fixed, but you have to write. My problem is the opposite. My muse is on overdrive but I never seem to have the time to write. Too many obligations and priorities. If only I could have three days for myself to sit and write.

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  8. Monique, I agree with Mona. I reread and edit my stuff constantly and it helps me to stay focused on my work. Give yourself deadlines, read other work just for enjoyment (sometimes it helps to get us in the mood to write), and brainstorm. If I can't figure out where to go with something, I brainstorm. But never give up. You can do it!

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  9. Try writing something totally different. This happened to me about a year ago. I was so blocked it was pathetic. Finally, I decided to let that story sit. I picked up two manuscripts I had written several years ago, submitted to every agent and publisher in the book and got back as many rejections, and started reading them. I found out rather quickly why they were rejected. So I worked on them instead. When I finished them I submitted them to Red Rose and walla, both were accepted. This motivated me to get back to the other manuscript and I've been writing every day since.

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  10. Mon,

    As I've told you before, I was stuck once. Had a 6 year long stint at it. Got so bad I gave up writing for a while, knowing I'd get back to it again eventually. In the end, I have to admit I did something more along the lines of what Lynn suggested--I eventually allowed myself to be imperfect. To write crap. because writing crap was better than not writing at all. I'm stuck too at the moment. And I'm allowing it to be. I'm enjoying writing, enjoying tossing the ideas around in my head, daydreaming. I'm determined to accept everything as it is, cause I don't know about you, but the more I try NOT to do something, the worse the block gets.

    For that's worth, hon.

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  11. I edit my work to bits, as well - and I don't consider re-reading and editing any kind of procrastination. But I did go through a major writer's block a few years ago. I crawled over it - quite literally on my knees. lol Spent a lot of time in prayer. Took a break and wrote another novel. Eventually God gave me the release I needed, and when He did, He also provided the inspiration. All things in His time... :)

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  12. Great post, lovely blog, excellent comments. I agree with most everyone. :)

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  13. I have to disagree, Mona. I am definitely procrastinating when I read and re-read the same 10,000 words then turn off the laptop without moving on.

    I do edit what I wrote the day before then continue. At the moment, I'm stuck at the edit part. :) I hope you get your three days writing time soon.

    Hugs x

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  14. Terry, thanks for the encouragement. I do most of what you suggested but, now I think of it, I haven't brainstormed in a while. Hmmm...

    Hugs x

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  15. Great idea, Roseanne. I was thinking I ought to spend some time working on my children's Angel books or perhaps some of my Speculative Christian fantasy. But I don't have the get-up and go to write those either.

    I'm off to hunt out old stuff, though :D

    Hugs x

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  16. Hi, Joanne,

    I hear you, girl.

    Hugs x

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  17. Hi, Beth,

    Thanks for stopping by.

    Hugs x

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  18. Every writer goes through dry spells, especially when things aren't going well otherwise. Keep trying different things to motivate yourself, and you hit on something. I promise!

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  19. Thanks, Chicki.

    I'll keep trying :)

    Hugs x

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  20. Monique, I know exactly how you feel! I've definitely been there, done that. I am also a perfectionist and just cannot go forward until things are, well, perfect. It's difficult to write any other way, I know. What helps me when I get in a slump like this is to write 1 to 3 pages of anything at all. Something for my current project, a letter, a song. Whatever. This makes me feel productive. The next day, I do it again. Then the day after that... Soon, I'm back on track. I hope this helps!

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  21. Hey Mon,

    you know my 'current' wip - the one you've been reviewing so kindly those last few weeks? Well, as you know it's half finished. Just over 2 years ago I gave up on it as it didn't inspire me at all. Standstill. No idea of where to take it.
    Then I started writing Highland Arms. Completely different setting, different time and different storyline. Suddenly I could focus again.
    Only now can I face the older wip again - I spent my train journeys Sunday and last night (3 hours each!!) editing and adding to it. And now I have more of an idea of where I want it to go. Yayyy, I have my inspiration back.
    Sometimes a change of 'scenery' can do wonders. Hope you'll find your way past your procrastination because I can't wait to read more new stuff from you.
    Big hugs,
    Steph xxx

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  22. Monique, I find myself doing similar reading/editing, am part of a goals group that keeps me writing. Here is some information if you'd like to take a look at it.

    The 100x100 (100 words a day for 100 days straight) has been such a HUGE motivator for a number of writers I know this year. It's certainly worth a try. 100 words is a doable goal and many say they end up writing over every day. But the next day, you still have to write at least another 100.

    Keeping Meggie and you in my prayers! Good luck!

    <<1. For anyone interested in joining the GIAM community's goals loops, they can check out my GIAM Loops web page at http://www.amyatwell.com/index.php?pr=WritingGIAM_Loops . If they're interested in this option, they should email me at WritingGIAM@amyatwell.com
    >
    2. For anyone interested in joining ONLY a 100x100 challenge loop, they should contact Cindy Carroll at intrigue@idirect.com

    .> Cindy is one of our GIAM 100x100 moderators, but she also runs a 100x100 challenge loop of her own that's open to anyone. I believe it runs on the exact same guidelines.>>

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  23. I also should've added there's no shortage of cheering/support for you along the way. :)

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  24. Monique,
    I feel terrible for you. I think walking will help. Listening to music lately has helped me go into the zone. With so much going on here...
    You know a few of my ideas have come from a song. Put on a headset or read lyrics to songs you enjoy. This is how ideas came forward for me. Not that I don't require your assistance to make them work. (G).
    I wish we lived closer together so we could walk and brainstorm.
    Big Hugs,
    Neecy

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  25. I thought getting published would be the immobilizer I needed to bolster my motivation. WRONG! Now, I have this fear of never being able to do "it" again. So, I sit at the keyboard and re-write every sentence ad nauseum. Going from former pantster to plotter helped. And relying on a fortune cookie that said, "Be happy with one chapter at a time," gave me a reason to edit as I go, but what inspired me more than anything was a critique partner who writes faster than I do and pushes me to send that next chapter.

    So, if you're feeling uninspired, find something or someone to push you. Until Andris got behind me and starting pushing me to send the next chapter, I waffled and spent way too much time thinking and not enough time writing.

    Apparently, I do my best work under pressure.

    Who knew?

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  26. What a beautiful blog! And a great post, too. I so feel your pain. I've been in the worst of slumps for several months now. I try to allow myself to write crap, but can't even write that. :) (what's worse than crap? Don't know, but that would describe what's been coming onto the page lately)

    What I'm trying to do is be nice to myself and catch when I'm engaging in negative self-talk. I wrote out a list of affirmations on a pretty pink index card (things like: readers love my writing, I'm full of creative ideas, I'm an excellent writer, etc)and read over that list several times a day, especially when I'm sitting at the computer and staring at the blinking cursor. I'm also taking short walks (10-20 min) before my writing session, to clear my head. I call it my Negative Journey, because I use that time to worry about all the things I can't control in this industry. When I sit down to write and my internal editor starts to gripe at me, I tell her, "Fine. You can say all you want. But you'll have to wait until tomorrow's walk." Sometimes it actually works.

    Good luck!

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  27. A huge thanks to ALL of you! You've given me lots of great advice and I'm thrilled. Thank you so much for dropping by and sharing your experiences with me, it was great to have you here.

    Hugs x

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Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment. I greatly appreciate it! :) :)