Do you have any rituals that you use when you need help getting into the ZONE?
Care to share?
Finding my muse was never an issue for me for the first few years - and numerous manuscripts - I wrote. Blogging was my big go-to for getting the zone in sight. But it seemed after my first two books were published that my inspiration to draw me into the writing zone vanished. Like literally POOF! I've dissected the possible reasons for this distress and have whittled it down to this - after two big years of seeing my books out in the world and with all the marketing and promotion I had to do, the reality of what it really means to be a published author hit me. That realization zapped me hard.
I have come up with a few things that help me find my zone again. The biggest one is to simply sit in the chair and write. Write anything. It doesn't matter. Sometimes it's even an entry for my daily journal. Whatever. It's almost like seeing the words type or write out on the page reminds me that I can do this.
Other, more mundane things I do are: read a book (Not online, either. That is just a temptation to check my email or whatever to procrastinate.), take the dog for a walk, do housework, or listen to music. Sometimes I watch a movie that's similar to my genre or scene I'm writing. Helps me feel what needs to be written.
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What about you? Any secret methods to pull yourself into the motivation and inspiration of the writing zone?
I got through four books and then hit that. Which is why it's taken me over three years to complete the next one, currently with my test readers.
ReplyDeleteBut YAY! for finishing this fifth book. Gives me hope!
DeleteThanks for all you do for the writing community.
I started to struggle to get into the zone, too, but it was because of burnout. Music still does it for me, though. Every time. Music is my muse. :)
ReplyDeleteI remember you mentioning this in your upcoming release. I'm glad you did. Lots of writers will find your advice helpful.
DeleteFinally I've been able to post a comment here! I've tried so many times and for some reason your blog would have nothing to do with me. I hear what you're saying about that elusive inspiration. Reading is definitely one way to get that zone to appear again. I'm sure you'll do it.
ReplyDeleteOh gosh! I'm so sorry for your troubles. But thank you for your persistence!
DeleteI spent a while just starting stories in my journal. I used prompts from book sources. I created prompts with movie quotes and book lines. I tried to tell myself to have fun and just enjoy the writing. And, eventually, my muse came back. Then, I went through a phase where I started and invested 30,000 words into about ten different projects, but didn't finish them. That was really hard. Finally, this year, I decided two things: I want to have fun with my writing, and if 30,000 is my magical number, why am I fighting it? What's wrong with novellas? Nothing. I just had to re-focus and give myself grace.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the words, dance with them, and find the core of your writing. I think your writing is beautiful, so I know you have it in you. :)
I love the movie quotes and book lines prompt idea. If we really think about it, it doesn't take much to get our creativity ignited. I think telling ourselves to have fun, like you mentioned, is super important. And also reminding ourselves to let go to the impossible and the magical. It's kind of a 'just believe' exercise. #faith
DeleteI used to be much more inspired to write too. I lost some of my drive when my husband died and just seeing how much work getting published is makes it not so exciting anymore. I do like writing for myself though. I read for inspiration too and have been reading a lot lately, which has been super nice.
ReplyDeleteSo good to hear that you're reading and finding inspiration in it. I need to get back to reading more, too. I can't imagine the emotional upheaval you went through - and I'm sure at times still go through - after losing your husband. Writing takes a lot out of the writer - our personalities, fears, hopes, etc... To accomplish this we must tap into our emotions, which can be tough.
DeleteI also like to read in my genre and watch excellent movies to get me in a writing mood. We are a lot alike, Walking, housework, music, but not when I'm writing, just to listen.
ReplyDeleteI try so hard to listen to music when I write. I just can't. I have listened to classical at times. But I truly prefer silence.
DeleteEmotions can drain me - and when I'm drained everything is hard - even the writing. It took me so long to put together the dementia book because of those emotions. You've had a lot of emotions swirling in your life these past few years! The words will flow!
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks for the encouragement. I know you're right. I'm just impatient!
DeleteThe reason you mentioned with the dementia book is a fear I've fought for years when it comes to writing the YA story of my heart. It has to do with a teen growing up with a mental ill parent. I've written an in-depth synopsis, so all I have to do is write the story. And although it will be a work of fiction, some of it is very close to my own experiences, which I've found hard to revisit to write. *Psst . . . I'm so glad you wrote the dementia book. Have I told you that my current MG explores this issue? I might have to call on you for some clarifying advice on a few scenes. I really want to portray it accurately.
It's really REALLY hard to write those stories for sure.
DeleteThat sounds like a fascinating project - and really hard to write. Might be cathartic too - DWD was for me.
I'd be MORE than happy to help you any time at all - just let me know!
TY! I definitely will!
DeleteI powered through 7 books, but I've been working on #8 for almost 4 years now. And right now, it's all I can do to maintain DLP, let alone write.
ReplyDeleteThis seems to be a comment notion throughout these comments. Maybe it's normal. But I have to wonderful how the heck I did it before, and at the time, all my kids lived home. Sending you some positive writing vibes.
DeletePicture prompts help me sometimes open my creativity when I need it. I find interesting pictures online and just let whatever character or thin short come out. My second book was born out of a picture prompt. I also have an idea for another book from a different picture.
ReplyDeleteVisual imagery inspires me, too. I use a similar method as you do and then I print the images out and tack them to a cork board.
DeleteI've dropped into dark places of discouragement after I've had new books come out and had to spend time on promotion rather than writing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this. Feeling so deflated after my two books released was a surprise to me. It's nice to know I'm not alone.
DeleteThank you for stopping by!
I've not gone through discouragement from a book coming out, but I've gone through a few stints of writer's block due to discouragement about rejections. It's hard to get out of. But just writing anything, like you talked about, really helped me too.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about the discouragement after rejections, but I can relate to that scenario, too. It sucks. I think at first it's about not feeling good enough, but that wears thin after awhile, and especially once you've honed craft and technique and you can see your past mistakes. After that it's the realization of how much work it takes between the hours spent alone, the research, the drafts, the blocks, and all the social media stuff that has gotten to me. Don't get me wrong. I love to write. But now I know the heaviness of the other side of being published. If I could hand myself solely to the writing, then maybe. But I have worked my entire life raising four kids and building a strong family. I don't want to miss out on their lives, so I need to find a new balance. Life is all about changes. I guess I need to keep riding this wave. :)
DeleteYes, our circumstances can change and we'll need to adapt to come up with new ways. But hey, we're creative types, right? ;)
ReplyDeleteYup, you're right.
DeleteNot easy to wear a bunch of hats and be creative when the time is available. I get distracted--not by marketing though--and getting back into the story writing I love so much is that much harder afterward. I aim for first thing in the morning because the distractions haven't taken over my world--yet. ;-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
That's a good method to avoid distractions. I've been trying that, lately.
DeleteI let an idea simmer for weeks. IF it sticks, then I get out the old notebook and pen and start an outline. K.M. Wieland's Outling Your Novel book is a life saver. I didn't use one wiht my earlier books. But now, I'm sold!
ReplyDeleteI'm kind of wondering how easy it will be to enter the zone once I'm forced to spend time and energy on PR and marketing. I won't know until later this year, or maybe the next. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi Sheri - only writing blog posts can have its moments ... I force myself to get on with them - and then whittle them down, or tie them up - so they read 'true'. Well done on just writing stories in the first place ... we all need to continue on regardless of where we're at now - good luck and stay safe - Hilary
ReplyDeleteFrom the comments, it doesn't matter which book you're on when you're hit by reality. Watching your numbers go down, down, down is a slap upside the head. So discouraging. Meanwhile, we just keep writing. Stay safe.
ReplyDeleteSo very true. It helps to have like-minded people to vent to. LOL Take Care!
DeleteHi Sheri,
ReplyDeleteI totally get where you are at. It was so much fun when we all started our journeys a decade or more ago. I am still coasting, waiting, hoping for my publication. I mean, I have had covers, and blurbs, and shorts published, but not any of my novels. I do have high hopes for my latest MS BECAUSE, I will have tons of help with the marketing and platform since this is a non-fiction piece. The person who is featured, is RARING to move forward and to get it out into the world. For me, I am dragging. I still have four or so chapters to go. I had hoped it was finished until I got back the critique from a very prominent editor. She loved it all, but wanted so much more... ugh. Sadly, I admit, the project is not as intriguing to me because the final aspects of this person's life are not anywhere nearly as exciting as the first forty years. So, that is where I am at now... snooze. LOL
I am happy though. Bought a lovely old Craftsman house in the NW IL area... very country. Love it. I am spending hours gardening and loving it...until the frost hit last night. Ugh. covering all the new planting was not fun. So far they look like they survived, but we have two more cold night ahead. I am HOPING to be in the zone soon and finish this story once an for all... Fingers crossed. I hope and pray that you and your family are well. I know it is hard for you not able to visit you mom in the nursing home. And tomorrow is Mother's Day... HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!! Take care and stay safe...
Your current novel sounds hopeful. Don't lose sight of that, although I know that's easy to do. LOL Do you think you could find one intriguing element toward the end of this person's life that you could build on to make the ending more interesting? Just an idea. Sending you tons of positive vibes!
DeleteI'm so glad you're enjoying your new home and location. And I totally understand the angst when the weather blows in chilly and doesn't cooperate with what you have planned for gardening, etc... So annoying. It's been freezing up here in Maine. The wind blows like it's Fall not Spring. Thank you for your kind words and wishes for Mother's Day. My brother and his family gathered at my house so all the grandchildren could Facetime with my mom in the home. That was nice.
Pretty good reminder - just write. Sometimes there's nothing else for it. Stay safe.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by. Take care, too!
DeletePutting a book out there is exhausting, so it's easy to fall out of the zone. I like your idea to write anything. Even if it's a journal entry. Hope you're doing well!
ReplyDelete