Decisions

[onegrapeshy]

Now that I've been kind of "in between" manuscripts for a few weeks, it's starting to wear on me--there is just so much yardwork you can do in 90+ degrees, and forget housework--and now I'm trying to make a decision here. What to work on, I mean.

1. Sequel to U.P. on hold for now. Seriously, why knock myself out when the first one won't be published

Comments

Cheering you on!

[warriorofworry]

Paradoxically, I have a writing assignment for my visit with my therapist next week. While talking about productivity issues, my (regret I haven't been) writing and your comment about my family (something like "no wonder there are so many books about dysfunctional families")(so true!) came up within a few minutes of each other. So therapist wants a three-page story about the recent (and ongoing) family dwama!

Re: Cheering you on!

[onegrapeshy]

I find it much easier to write about things that have actually happened to me (hence my periods of compulsive blogging) than to write fiction. Good luck with it!!!

[kathleenfoucart]

My mental block is: 3 hours(or even 4) isn't long enough. When I do write, and I mean seriously write--I don't mean revisions, b/c I can do those for 10 minutes at a time-- I do my best work when I have 6 to 8 hrs at a stretch

It's kind-of funny how differently people work-- I'm the exact opposite. I can scribble new stuff in snatched minutes, but revision? Nope, need a big block of time and no distractions!

Good luck!

[onegrapeshy]

I'm beginning to understand why so many writers live in poverty. :) And starting to envy them, too.

[melissawyatt]

Mark Twain said something like if he had an appointment on Friday, he couldn't work all week, so you are in good company.

I also feel like I need huge chunks of time because it takes me so long to "mentally prepare" for writing, to get my brain into the story. I thought I had it licked at one point and even did a conference workshop on it but it can still be really hard to get to that writing place whenever there's a bit of time.

[onegrapeshy]

"--to get my brain into the story."

This is it exactly!

[melissawyatt]

In the workshop, I used the analogy of Mrs. Tarleton from (the novel) Gone with the Wind. An avid horsewoman, she arose each day expecting to ride. To that end, she would dress in her riding habit and with her skirts hooked over her riding stick, would go about her other duties while her horse waited, saddled, outside. Sometimes, she never found the time to ride, but she was always ready should the opportunity arise

[onegrapeshy]

London was right. :)

[sookie06]

I think it's great that you have decided to give the 3 hrs a day a chance. I mean, you won't know if it can work until you've tried it! And it might not be the optimum way for you to write, but I am sure you will still get writing done.
Personally, I'd vote for Project #2. I suffer from knowing you have a whole novel sitting in a drawer...

[fuguemacabre]

I've learned that I can't take time off between books. If I take more than a week or so away from writing, I have a heck of a time getting back into it. I took way too long off between my last book and this one and I'm struggling. (Ask Sher.) I've almost convinced myself that I've been fooling myself. I can't write. I can't plot a decent story. I'll never be more than a wanna-be. The strange thing is, my days feel empty when I don't write, but at the same time, I sit down at the computer and feel inadequate.

[fuguemacabre]

I probably won't get my revision letter till the end of the month...it's hard to ceoncentrate on anything else, knowing I'll have to stop writing and work on that. But I know what you mean about getting back into the groove after a long absence. I think siting down at the computer and feeling "inadequate" beats wandering around feeling empty, don't you?

That was me!

[onegrapeshy]

STUPID LJ keeps bumping me out!!!!

[fuguemacabre]

Yes, Ma'am.