Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Logistical Solutions and Old Problems

Hi everyone! I'm sure you've noticed my posts over the last few months have been a bit sporadic. The problem is that most of my ideas come during the day, while I'm at work. At my old job this wasn't a problem because I literally had no work to do (one of the reasons I quit); unfortunately, now that I've actually got work to do, it would look really bad if I were blogging in the middle of the day. Thankfully, today I cam up with a (not so) novel solution: I have a notepad on my desk, and whenever I come up with an idea I jot it down really quick so I can post it really quick when I get home. I know that's not exactly a new idea, but what can I say...

Now, on to something actually related to novel writing! I've been pulling my hair out over the last couple of weeks; I found I've fallen into the same old trap I always end up in. A few weeks ago, I decided I was going to buckle down and knock out a first draft of Dathan the Sorcerer. I managed to make a little headway, but as always, I was derailed by two things: 1) I reached a certain point and can't figure out what comes next (a HUGE apology to Tanya, my CP, but it might be a while before I send her any more), and 2) I've been distracted by a veritable deluge of ideas for one of my other stories (none of which I can afford to ignore because I intend to write that story later). GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

Anyway, I've (hopefully) solved one writing problem and will be posting more regularly. As for my other problem, I'd welcome any advice you guys might have. I'm at my wits' end.

Speaking of which, what's the biggest obstacle in your writing process? Maybe we can give you some ideas!

3 comments:

  1. Welcome to the world of notes and lists littering your life. :) Don't worry, it's a good thing.

    The biggest obstacle in my writing process is my two year old. He doesn't like when I get on the computer because he knows he'll be ignored. And he wears me out so much I have a hard time staying awake after he goes to bed. Of course accidentally sabotaging my computer isn't good either.

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  2. Notes. Important. With a little organization, I keep my ideas separated. I wouldn't be surprised if you do this, but I put everything into a file, containing files for all my unwritten books. Each file has a "note" document. Get an idea for one story, jot it down for later, return to the WiP, and pick up the pieces for the next book when you're ready. That's my method for madness.

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  3. I was constantly hitting obstacles in my WIP. I'd have an extended period of continuous idea flow and then I'd hit a wall as to what would come next. So one day I decided to outline the rest of my book. Not a microscopic play by play by any means, just a brief scene outline. My ideas seemed to flow more freely throughout the outline and now the flow of actually writing it has been pretty consistent as well. Maybe give an outline a try.

    My obstacle is always time. Like you, I have a full time job that doesn't allow for a lot of writing time, and then when I get home it's family time with my husband and 5yr old. My writing usually comes later at night.

    Good luck! I hope you find your writing mojo again!

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