Z is for Zone
This is it. The last post in the A – Z Challenge. Whew! Now I won’t be clogging up everyone’s inboxes all the time.[image error] Thanks for being patient with me as I did this. It was a fun challenge, and I’m glad I took it. But I can see how it’d be overwhelming to try to keep up with all these posts.
Anyway, without further ado, let’s do the last one….
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The zone is when writing takes on a magical kind of quality. The words are flowing easily. The story plays out like a movie in your mind, and all you have to do is write down everything the characters are saying and doing. This is the best feeling in the world for the writer.
I wish I could say it’s easy to get into the zone. I’d say I hit this point about 75% of the time when I write. On days when the words aren’t flowing well, I write a couple hundred words, stall, do something else (like writing this blog post), then go back to the story. Most of the time this is because I’m not sure what happens next in the story.
Yes, I can hear the plotters now. “You’d know what happened next if you plotted.” But I can’t plot. Not successfully. Every time I’ve even made a simple outline for my book, things change within a chapter or two because the characters don’t like the plan I came up with. I don’t believe plotting is for everyone. If it works for you, great. For me, I find being a panster is the best way to go. So maybe today’s post is more for pansters.
Below I have a few things to try to get into the zone when you’re writing. If you have any other tips I didn’t think of, or if I’m wrong about plotters having it easy, let me know. I’m all ears.[image error]
Get away from the family. This is often easier said than done. Kids or the spouse can come up to you at any time while they’re around and bother talk to you. Even when you explain that you’re working and need them to leave you alone, chances are only 50% they’ll listen.
Exercise. There is something about exercise that helps boost creativity.
Don’t go online. Again, easier said than done. Emails and social media have a way of beckoning to you when you need to be writing. Sometimes I go to the park or another place that doesn’t have Wifi access.
Sit and write. I tell myself, “Just get 250 words in”. Usually, once I do about 500, things flow a lot easier, and I find myself writing more naturally.
That’s what I have. Got any others? I’d love to hear them!
This post is part of the Blogging from A – Z Challenge. Thanks again for bearing with me as I did this! Now I’ll go back to the posting only a couple times a week.
