Jumpstarting Your muse
School went back in session over a month ago. I had such high hopes of getting back into my routine of writing and blogging. I had begun a new story in June, wrote five good chapters by the end of July and then took the first two weeks off in August, each day plotting in my mind more of the story and eagerly waiting until I was back at the computer. When I finally planted my bottom in the chair, I had writer's block and more than a dozen home and family issues needing my attention. I tackled those issues, wrote in between and found a whole new list of chores that needed attention. In trying to be super woman, my muse suffered. So did my routine. Despair settled in quick and I found I didn't know the story or the characters anymore. I kept second-guessing the pace and voice, forgetting things and repeating things. But I didn't give up.
Normally, I'll write five chapters and then go back and edit. I concentrate on scenes and chapters flowing into each other, not repeating dialogue and plot points and I pay close attention to the characters to ensure they are moving the story along. A couple of weeks ago, at the end of chapter 9 and feeling like I was way out in left field with this story, I decided to go back to page one and do a thorough edit. I'm so thankful I did. My muse returned and reunited me with my characters, the pacing of the story and my sense of direction. This week I finished chapter ten and feel so much better.
This technique may not work for everyone. Usually, I encourage people to keep writing until they reach the end and then go back and edit. But if you're honestly not feeling the story anymore and beating yourself up about muse, voice and direction, try going back to the beginning. You'll have fresh eyes on page, because you haven't seen it in a while. And in re-reading, you'll find mistakes and where you lost insight. New ideas will form in your mind and that rush of excitement will return. Your muse will be in full work mode and then you'll be like me--onto to the next chapter and welcoming the others that follow.
Normally, I'll write five chapters and then go back and edit. I concentrate on scenes and chapters flowing into each other, not repeating dialogue and plot points and I pay close attention to the characters to ensure they are moving the story along. A couple of weeks ago, at the end of chapter 9 and feeling like I was way out in left field with this story, I decided to go back to page one and do a thorough edit. I'm so thankful I did. My muse returned and reunited me with my characters, the pacing of the story and my sense of direction. This week I finished chapter ten and feel so much better.
This technique may not work for everyone. Usually, I encourage people to keep writing until they reach the end and then go back and edit. But if you're honestly not feeling the story anymore and beating yourself up about muse, voice and direction, try going back to the beginning. You'll have fresh eyes on page, because you haven't seen it in a while. And in re-reading, you'll find mistakes and where you lost insight. New ideas will form in your mind and that rush of excitement will return. Your muse will be in full work mode and then you'll be like me--onto to the next chapter and welcoming the others that follow.
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