Hurtling Writer's Block with Creative Genius!
Sometimes I have off days. Sometimes I have off weeks. And right now it's felt a bit like an off month. My characters are being slow at telling me their stories which is making my writing go about the pace of a frozen snail.
And yet amid the blocks I've had a few burst of awesomeness. Moments when the words flew from brain to fingers to keyboard and the screen seemed to sing in an angelic chorus "She's back!" Then I read through the awesomeness and think. Hmmmm, not so awesome as I had hoped, but it works for now.
And that is the key. "It works for now." Everyone needs motivation. Everyone needs to feel like their goal is worthwhile and accomplishable. Those moments when I'm staring at my less-than-stellar word count are the times when I sit back and say (figuratively) "Alright, characters, go time!" And I stop thinking and I let them take over.
Sometimes this backfires and all I hear is crickets. They're pretty loud sometimes, crickets. So I have to listen harder and somewhere behind the cricket chorus is a little-known character saying, "Did I tell you how I became a figure skater?"
"A figure skater? No, you didn't. Please do."
And then I find myself with a burst of genius that may or may not actually have anything to do with my story, but it kept me writing. And even if it doesn't stay in this story, it may find its way into a different story. And even if I read through it and go, "Blah. Not so awesome." It works for now. It fills the page, it keeps me writing and that's what the rough draft is really all about.
And now for some updates:
"Mischief, Mayhem and NOT Burning the House Down" is in the editing and illustrating stage. My awesome missionary brother is now back in the States and beginning work right now. He hasn't given me an estimate of how long he's thinking it will take, so I'll keep you posted on that.
My mystery is coming along slowly, but coming. Much of that is finding time to sit down and write since we're in the process of moving. Between packing, cleaning and everything else, writing is taking a bit of a backseat. But have no fears! I am planning on getting those 30000 words done! In fact, my very awesome mommy received their New Mexico magazine and she says it's got some good research potential for me. Score!
Charming Academy and Finding Prince Charming are both still available. If you have not yet had a chance to read this story, visit www.JessicaLElliott.com to find out how you can get it today!
My fundraiser has been going rather slowly too. So far I have only one person donating on my page. Visit www.stayclassy.org/jessicalelliott today to find out how you can help a great organization! Don't forget that there are prizes as detailed in my previous blog post, Camping Out. Share this link with your friends and family and spread the word about an awesome cause!
And yet amid the blocks I've had a few burst of awesomeness. Moments when the words flew from brain to fingers to keyboard and the screen seemed to sing in an angelic chorus "She's back!" Then I read through the awesomeness and think. Hmmmm, not so awesome as I had hoped, but it works for now.
And that is the key. "It works for now." Everyone needs motivation. Everyone needs to feel like their goal is worthwhile and accomplishable. Those moments when I'm staring at my less-than-stellar word count are the times when I sit back and say (figuratively) "Alright, characters, go time!" And I stop thinking and I let them take over.
Sometimes this backfires and all I hear is crickets. They're pretty loud sometimes, crickets. So I have to listen harder and somewhere behind the cricket chorus is a little-known character saying, "Did I tell you how I became a figure skater?"
"A figure skater? No, you didn't. Please do."
And then I find myself with a burst of genius that may or may not actually have anything to do with my story, but it kept me writing. And even if it doesn't stay in this story, it may find its way into a different story. And even if I read through it and go, "Blah. Not so awesome." It works for now. It fills the page, it keeps me writing and that's what the rough draft is really all about.
And now for some updates:
"Mischief, Mayhem and NOT Burning the House Down" is in the editing and illustrating stage. My awesome missionary brother is now back in the States and beginning work right now. He hasn't given me an estimate of how long he's thinking it will take, so I'll keep you posted on that.
My mystery is coming along slowly, but coming. Much of that is finding time to sit down and write since we're in the process of moving. Between packing, cleaning and everything else, writing is taking a bit of a backseat. But have no fears! I am planning on getting those 30000 words done! In fact, my very awesome mommy received their New Mexico magazine and she says it's got some good research potential for me. Score!
Charming Academy and Finding Prince Charming are both still available. If you have not yet had a chance to read this story, visit www.JessicaLElliott.com to find out how you can get it today!
My fundraiser has been going rather slowly too. So far I have only one person donating on my page. Visit www.stayclassy.org/jessicalelliott today to find out how you can help a great organization! Don't forget that there are prizes as detailed in my previous blog post, Camping Out. Share this link with your friends and family and spread the word about an awesome cause!
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