Heather Ames's Blog - Posts Tagged "creativity-dips"
Second Draft Done...Finally!!
This strange year slowed everything down, including my writing, which until 2020 continued on through floods, freezes, heat waves, broken pipes, broken heaters, inadequate or no air-conditioning, multiple moves, life-changes, etc., etc., etc. Last year, I found myself unable to tolerate sitting at the computer for more than an hour or two. I finally decided if I had finished one chapter, I could leave and go do something else, even if it was cleaning up the kitchen or another mundane but necessary task.
I have come to realize I was not the only writer suffering from a drop in productivity or a decline in the urge to write. Despite writing being a so-called lonely profession, most writers don't create in a vacuum. They don't sit isolated in garrets so they keep up their page counts or their same level of dedication to their craft.
They meet with other writers and readers. They attend conferences, conventions and write-ins. They draw inspiration and gain momentum for their own writing by absorbing energy from others.
Last Saturday, I received my 2nd dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Yesterday, my car went into the body shop for repair after someone tapped my Escape up the back at a railroad crossing several weeks ago. When I have my car back, I must start going out on a more regular basis. I'll still be masked, but I won't need to try going out when the least amount of people are also in public.
I can take the trip to Lincoln City I need to decide on the final location of a house that features in this book of mine that is finally taking better shape, and while I'm at the coast, I can walk more freely at the beach, visit the outlet mall, and enjoy the day (as long as it's not raining cats and dogs) while I gain that inspiration to make the imagery of that pivotal scene feel real to me and to my readers.
I'll be back in the saddle again. A better and more motivated writer. Looking forward to the publication of this book, which still doesn't have more than a working title, except for the series, and to presenting it to readers in person at events as this country slowly but surely ramps back up to a new normal.
I have come to realize I was not the only writer suffering from a drop in productivity or a decline in the urge to write. Despite writing being a so-called lonely profession, most writers don't create in a vacuum. They don't sit isolated in garrets so they keep up their page counts or their same level of dedication to their craft.
They meet with other writers and readers. They attend conferences, conventions and write-ins. They draw inspiration and gain momentum for their own writing by absorbing energy from others.
Last Saturday, I received my 2nd dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Yesterday, my car went into the body shop for repair after someone tapped my Escape up the back at a railroad crossing several weeks ago. When I have my car back, I must start going out on a more regular basis. I'll still be masked, but I won't need to try going out when the least amount of people are also in public.
I can take the trip to Lincoln City I need to decide on the final location of a house that features in this book of mine that is finally taking better shape, and while I'm at the coast, I can walk more freely at the beach, visit the outlet mall, and enjoy the day (as long as it's not raining cats and dogs) while I gain that inspiration to make the imagery of that pivotal scene feel real to me and to my readers.
I'll be back in the saddle again. A better and more motivated writer. Looking forward to the publication of this book, which still doesn't have more than a working title, except for the series, and to presenting it to readers in person at events as this country slowly but surely ramps back up to a new normal.
