Yippee! I’ve been trying for awhile to find a daytime television schedule for April of 1968 when my novel begins and finally found one on, in of all places, Wikipedia. What not’s there? (What’s there that is reliable? is what I usually ask.) But this is helpful. My first week of returning to morning writing has been tough. But Libby, Gwen, Nate, Aunt June and Uncle Nelson, Granddaddy and Grandmama, and the rest of the Kent Creek folks are breathing, talking, walking, eating (and arguing) again. When I have been away from routine writing for awhile, I always need a warm-up week. It is usually slow going at first, but I’ll get there. I am interested in finding out how other writers kick-start their creative writing process when they have been away from it for a time. How do you do it?
Barnabas and Julia, Dark Shadows
Nov 12, 2010 @ 16:19:09
I enter the lives of my characters, think with them whatever thoughts they think, and struggle to find the way forward, just as in real life. When I think I’ve found the path, I write. As long as I don’t force the way, they never disappoint me.
Nov 15, 2010 @ 02:36:52
I find when I have been away ‘too long’ that getting into their thoughts immediately is difficult. That’s when I have a conversation with them — reacquaint myself with them through dialogue — like old friends who have not seen each other in eons. Then before too long, I can say, “Oh yeah, I remember you. And I know how you think!”
Nov 15, 2010 @ 13:33:23
After a long break, I’m always excited to get back to writing even as I dread those first 3 days it takes to regain the flow. Our brain is a muscle and writing does work on muscle memory, but it takes me a few long and frustrating days to wake it up. I sit in the chair, go through my notes to see where I am in the story and where I am going next. I make the scene I am planning really work to deserve the space it will take up. I write down all the reasons it needs to be included, what will happen in the scene, who will be the point of view character, how will that character be emotionally affected, what information has to be conveyed to the reader at this specific point in the novel. Then I edit the last chapter to loosen up my brain, which is kind of like stretching before you run. After that, I close my eyes to make this world disappear, and watch the scene unfold like a movie. Muscle memory takes over, but it’s still stiff. But I know if I trust in the process, in three days I will be typing away and thinking myself the luckiest woman on earth to be allowed to do this.
Nov 16, 2010 @ 02:19:57
The combination of dread and excitement that you describe has been as thick as mud for me this first week. Good thing I have the WNWr’s to help pull me through it! And that is how I count myself lucky.
Nov 16, 2010 @ 02:35:49
I just keep my butt in the chair and cobble together lame sentences until momentum kicks in. There is something in the universe that takes pity on a writer whose butt is parked.
Yes, I’d say that parking the derriere creates an opening in the cosmos through which the story saunters as if you had all the time in the world.
Feb 13, 2011 @ 16:00:05
Mar 01, 2011 @ 01:50:19
Hey GPal,
Writing lyrics and music isn’t so different from writing a novel. Inspiration is still required. Greg said he reads something. I, on the other hand, contemplate a situation before going to sleep and in the morning the answer is always there. It may well be the wee, small hours of the morning, and the music will wake me up to write when the house is dark and the kitties and hubby are sleeping!
Just love your blog, Gina. You are a WONDERFUL writer! I’m glad my quarterly newsletters are no longer taking up your time, so you can get ON with it!
Here’s knowing it’s already done and you are moving with ease into the completion of your new novel.
Your friend,
AStar
Mar 01, 2011 @ 02:10:19
AStar!!!!!! Welcome Annie! Thanks for visiting. I, too, often get inspiration at night. In fact, 10-year-old Libby, one of the main characters in what has become my novel now (it was originally a short story), woke me up one night to tell me about her family. Now I know them all. Some I like, some I don’t, but they all populate my world right now 24-7. Eventually I’ll get their story out there!
Thank you also – so very much – for sending me your fantastic new CD “Go Within”. I love it. And I LOVE my new “Love Is Who I Am” bracelet. I wore it today, in fact. You are a doll for sending it. I hope it isn’t another four years before we get to see you and Greg again. I love what you are doing with your music and I could tell when we saw you that it is making you happy. Keep writing and singing. And I hope you come back to visit both North Florida and my blog again soon!
Your bud in creativity and in life,
GPal