tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post1287311145803033537..comments2023-05-24T08:06:43.882-04:00Comments on Romance Writer's Revenge: In the Swing of ThingsTerri Osburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17176989488447450585noreply@blogger.comBlogger111125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-53892547339244206572011-01-18T19:45:28.000-05:002011-01-18T19:45:28.000-05:00When I'm stuck, I write blogs, I write shorts,...When I'm stuck, I write blogs, I write shorts, I go to the movies. <br><br>If Anime is filling your head? I'd cut yourself from it right now. It's influencing you too much and sucking your creative energy into it's vortex. Free your brain to wander your paths, not the paths of others!<br><br>I have edited other stories when stuck and I have plugged my ipod into music that inspires and written to the beat. <br><br>For you? Maybe switch your musical gears if what you're listening to isn't pushing you to write your stuff. Not anime. Not fanfic. Sin's story.2nd Chancenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-52317167794196386632011-01-19T03:23:27.000-05:002011-01-19T03:23:27.000-05:002nd Chance is right. Distract yourself. I use movi...2nd Chance is right. Distract yourself. I use movies with a lot of atmosphere. Sometimes doing something mindless like gardening or washing dishes helps too--though I try to save washing dishes as a last resort. I might be stuck, but I try not to be desperate.Maria Zanninihttp://mariazannini.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-3168687436510985672011-01-19T03:48:09.000-05:002011-01-19T03:48:09.000-05:00I sympathize, Sin. That's a tough spot to be i...I sympathize, Sin. That's a tough spot to be in, especially after the high from NaNo. Unfortunately it's hard to sustain that kind of output, so you do need to take a break from that pace.<br><br>I get itchy if I can't write on my WIP for a few days, which happened last week, because I couldn't figure out this one section I needed. It was an uncomfortable feeling, because it felt like I was wasting valuable writing time, but the scene just wouldn't work. It finally did, but on its own timetable!<br><br>I agree with Chance about writing blogs. Or I think about my story and take notes, or analyze the scenes/structure in Excel. I even wrote pitches, and a synopsis or two--anything to keep my mind in the midst of the story.<br><br>Another trick is to only allow yourself to write for 15 minutes. Since you and I are both contrarians, you can imagine what happens when you're FORCED to stop. :) (Put your icepicks away first.)Donnanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-9960316504744295262011-01-19T04:19:50.000-05:002011-01-19T04:19:50.000-05:00For me, periods of great productivity always seem ...For me, periods of great productivity always seem to be followed by fallow periods.I think they are just a necessary part of my process. During these times, I try several things to find the seeds of new ideas. Eavesdropping often works. A bit of overheard conversation, sometimes just the fragment of a sentence, may leave my fingers itching for a pencil. Music works the same way; a line or a phrase or an image from a lyric can inspire a new idea or offer a new direction for one in process. Less often, reading does the job. I have a key scene that I owe to a Meg Benjamin heroine taking off her shoes. For some strange reason, driving also works. I have some of my best ideas driving down a country road or speeding down the interstate.Janganoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-48759898409241083122011-01-19T04:24:51.000-05:002011-01-19T04:24:51.000-05:00I've had such a hard time getting back into th...I've had such a hard time getting back into the groove, I've now taken up quilting. It's sad really. <br><br>And all I can think about today is the oncoming snowstorm and I want to go home and hole up, nestle on my couch, and watch about 30 hours of Twilight. And maybe quilt.Hellionnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-59443989853748001442011-01-19T04:28:18.000-05:002011-01-19T04:28:18.000-05:00I use the exercise of writing drabbles when I'...I use the exercise of writing drabbles when I'm stuck with what I'm writing. Usually I'm stuck because I seen a scene in my head and it has nothing to do with the particular part I'm working on. And while right now I'm consuming tons of anime and manga and creatively that's where my mind has gone, really my mind is spinning around my urban fantasy idea. I put my foot down and said I wouldn't work on anything else until Kiki's first book is first draft finished. I don't want to bounce back and forth between unfinished novels simply because creatively that's what my mind wants to do.Sinhttp://mywritingdiary.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-69985532851271697662011-01-19T04:29:31.000-05:002011-01-19T04:29:31.000-05:00Janga, I use driving as an inspiration tool all th...Janga, I use driving as an inspiration tool all the time too--which is why winter feels so confining to me. During the summer I'm driving all the time. Now I have to squeeze it in between snowstorms. Sigh.<br><br>I agree that you have to go through that fallow time. A lot is going on behind the scenes in our brains even though we don't think it is.Donnanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-14253397631925988192011-01-19T04:31:22.000-05:002011-01-19T04:31:22.000-05:00Chanceroo, you know I love music. I've just no...Chanceroo, you know I love music. I've just not found anything lately that inspires me. Saturate's latest CD did for a while and I got burnt out during NaNo. My top 25 played list in iTunes is pretty good, but mostly slow. <br><br>Does anyone out there have a good recommendation for someone who listens to more hardcore alternative genres? <br><br>*silence*<br><br>No?<br><br>*crickets*<br><br>Damn.Sinhttp://mywritingdiary.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-82935046937421251152011-01-19T04:35:10.000-05:002011-01-19T04:35:10.000-05:00Maria, *LOL*, you crack me up. I actually stand at...Maria, *LOL*, you crack me up. <br><br>I actually stand at the sink with my headphones plugged in and wash dishes (when forced- ie: every dish in the house is dirty and we're out of paper plates, paper towels, plastic utensils, etc.) <br><br>Janga, I love to drive and I seem to have the best ideas while I'm stuck in traffic. It doesn't help that my heroine, Kiki, has a bit of a road rage tantrum every time we're at a light. But it's good for creativity. <br><br>I love to people watch, and eavesdrop on conversations (I'm a bit of a wallflower) and I love to make up stories about people I see. None of that ever seems to fit into what I'm writing. Sometimes what I hear will jar my memory on something I'd planned to write but forgot; but usually, I'm stuck with more ideas mulling around inside my head.Sinhttp://mywritingdiary.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-25957932555338416092011-01-19T04:36:17.000-05:002011-01-19T04:36:17.000-05:00Hells, I know. I'm anticipating a snow day tom...Hells, I know. I'm anticipating a snow day tomorrow. I can't wait. I'm like a little kid sitting at my desk watching the radar and looking out the window. Though, if you looked out the window right now you'd never believe we're supposed to get 7-8" of snow.Sinhttp://mywritingdiary.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-56299132861025757462011-01-19T04:38:18.000-05:002011-01-19T04:38:18.000-05:00I'm the queen of procastinating writing so I&#...I'm the queen of procastinating writing so I'm totally not qualified to answer this question. <br><br>I do think that Chance has the right idea about still doing things that center around the story - keeping it fresh in your mind - but not putting the pressure on yourself to write THE story.Scapegoathttp://sabrinashields.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-91660584714316566472011-01-19T04:48:01.000-05:002011-01-19T04:48:01.000-05:00Dear DRD, I would put the ice pick away just for y...Dear DRD, <br><br>I would put the ice pick away just for you; but the Undead Monkey told me that you wait until I've closed one eye at night and try to dispose of them over the side of the ship. <br><br>I feel a new story line coming on. One that includes my favorite twin and a new ice pick that needs to be broken in. <br><br>Sincerely, <br><br>Evil Twin<br><br>PS. Did you ever get the Christmas card the Undead Monkey and I sent?Sinhttp://mywritingdiary.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-25547868961412021502011-01-19T04:49:07.001-05:002011-01-19T04:49:07.001-05:00Two weeks ago I was in love with my story. Reading...Two weeks ago I was in love with my story. Reading through it made me excited and proud. Last night, floating on a cloud of PMS, it read amateurish and stilted. Horrible stuff. <br><br>What's this have to do with anything? Hormones. Maybe your hormones are out of whack?<br><br>I'd suggest the first thing to do is lower your expectations. Hell, get rid of them altogether. The only thing I've found that gets the words flying out my fingertips is to enjoy what I'm doing. When I stopped beating myself up, worrying about the "what ifs" (as in "What if it sucks?!"), and essentially took the pressure off, the words came.<br><br>Discipline is good. Having a plan is good. Focus is good. But you have to find the fun too. Otherwise, it's just one more pressure your brain will push back against.<br><br>It's like that for me anyway.Bosunhttp://www.romancewritersrevenge.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-46956563598355677162011-01-19T04:49:07.000-05:002011-01-19T04:49:07.000-05:00Scapey, me and you are in the same boat. I'm t...Scapey, me and you are in the same boat. I'm the Queen of Procrastination land. If I can procrastinate it, you can be sure I will.Sinhttp://mywritingdiary.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-45615981009750363942011-01-19T04:50:31.000-05:002011-01-19T04:50:31.000-05:00Ter, I tend to write more when I feel like I don&#...Ter, I tend to write more when I feel like I don't have anything hanging over me. I dunno. Maybe I'm forcing myself to go back to writing on Kiki's story because I told myself no more unfinished manuscripts before I go to a new one. <br><br>Expectations of yourself are the devil.Sinhttp://mywritingdiary.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-57276277723335023762011-01-19T05:00:06.000-05:002011-01-19T05:00:06.000-05:00Oh, I know that feeling too. That's why I neve...Oh, I know that feeling too. That's why I never got anything accomplish while I was still working on the degree. And there are nights I have to fold that last load of clothes or load the dishwasher before I can relax into the revisions. Tonight, I must vacuum!<br><br>Seriously, how do you stop leaves from coming in with your shoes? Maybe I'll get a bigger outdoor rug on the way home.Bosunhttp://www.romancewritersrevenge.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-35190673783106898652011-01-19T05:06:21.000-05:002011-01-19T05:06:21.000-05:00Dear Evil Twin,"Your favorite twin"? Jus...Dear Evil Twin,<br><br>"Your favorite twin"? Just how many twins do you have? No, please do not answer that. I've always suspected I've been cloned, based on the number of people who think they know me. I'm not sure I want that suspicion confirmed.<br><br>I treasure the card that you and the Undead Monkey sent. I wept with joy when I read it, and I carry it with me everywhere, even putting it under my pillow at night to stave off nightmares. (I've been having the oddest dreams tho.)<br><br>Very truly yours,<br>DRDDonnanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-53745323887007743582011-01-19T05:13:34.002-05:002011-01-19T05:13:34.002-05:00Ugh, I hate the vacuum.Ugh, I hate the vacuum.Sinhttp://mywritingdiary.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-53446481715217049752011-01-19T05:13:34.001-05:002011-01-19T05:13:34.001-05:00PS. We just drag the leaves in and let the gatos e...PS. We just drag the leaves in and let the gatos eat them. Makes them feel like they are a part of the wild.Sinhttp://mywritingdiary.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-85385661300382044582011-01-19T05:13:34.000-05:002011-01-19T05:13:34.000-05:00Terri, I agree about the emotions getting in the w...Terri, I agree about the emotions getting in the way of how we view our work. When I was doing NaNo it seemed like the writing was pure crap, but I kept going so I could get the first draft done. Then a month later when I read it over, I was surprised at how uncrappy it was. LOL I definitely could see where I'd had better days and what needed improving, but we're not always the best judges of our material.Donnanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-80950240911868600232011-01-19T05:18:38.001-05:002011-01-19T05:18:38.001-05:00Dear DRD, Tis true that I have had you cloned. I d...Dear DRD, <br><br>Tis true that I have had you cloned. I did this in case we were to have a fight and I were to lose you. <br><br>I only did it out of love. And maybe a little out of spite. One never knows with me. <br><br>I hear the sarcasm in your voice over the wondrous Christmas card we snitched for you. I want you to know that I labored for an hour over the plan to steal that one Christmas card for you to enjoy. But don't worry about the weird dreams. The Undead Monkey said that side effect would wear off eventually.<br><br>Sincerely, <br><br>Evil TwinSinhttp://mywritingdiary.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-75714913029252241502011-01-19T05:18:38.000-05:002011-01-19T05:18:38.000-05:00My gatos are spoiled. And completely domesticated....My gatos are spoiled. And completely domesticated. They turn their noses up at the leaves. *sigh* But give them a good piece of cardboard and it's chomp city. WTF?Bosunhttp://www.romancewritersrevenge.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-37193314228884876872011-01-19T05:19:50.001-05:002011-01-19T05:19:50.001-05:00Our gatos love cardboard too. I think it's the...Our gatos love cardboard too. I think it's the call of the wild and pretending it's a good tree.Sinhttp://mywritingdiary.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-88192977133626342982011-01-19T05:19:50.000-05:002011-01-19T05:19:50.000-05:00Donna - We need more of those "This isn't...Donna - We need more of those "This isn't crappy at all!" days and less of the "WTF kind of cluster is this shit?" days. LOL!Bosunhttp://www.romancewritersrevenge.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-175517484752031772011-01-19T05:39:36.000-05:002011-01-19T05:39:36.000-05:00But give them a good piece of cardboard and it’s c...<i>But give them a good piece of cardboard and it’s chomp city. WTF?</i><br><br>It's called Fiber, Terr. You should try some.Hellionnoreply@blogger.com