Half a phrase, half a phrase,
Half a phrase onward,
Into the valley of Revision
Rode the lone writer….
Distractions to right of her
Distractions to left of her…
(***with apologies to Tennyson)
All this week I have been trying to find an hour to work on my WIP. Usually I’ll take ten minutes if that’s all I have. But when I’ve been away from my work for a month, I find ten minutes doesn’t really cut it. There’s time enough only to say, “Who *are* these people? And what on earth is this novel about?” and then — whump! — my time’s up and I’m out on my ear.
I was sure I’d be able to find an hour yesterday, but all things computer, financial, and medical conspired against me. And today didn’t look very promising, either. But through sheer desperation, I commandeered an hour. All I accomplished was some dialogue revision in the chapter I was working on last month. But heavens! it felt good to be with my characters again.
What are your best tricks for getting back into a WIP in mid-stream? I’d love to know!
Alchemy Pie 
That desperation that commandeered an hour speaks volumes. Even if not much got done, feeling ready, letting yourself feel ready, is the key, and with a few more hours like that, the ten minutes a day will start to feel more constructive I bet. When I’ve been here, I want to connect so badly that the pushing things around feels most unsatisfying, but I find that doing that, one day soon the breath starts to come back in them, and I may get a few lines while making supper or walking or trying to get to sleep. And I take a few minutes break for paper and pen. Gradually it all adds up.
Hope your world gives you a break soon.
Warmest thanks for the encouraging words, Jeannine. It helps so much to know that writers I admire go through this, too.
one day soon the breath starts to come back in them
A lovely thought. Who was it that said half of writing is showing up?
That desperation that commandeered an hour speaks volumes. Even if not much got done, feeling ready, letting yourself feel ready, is the key, and with a few more hours like that, the ten minutes a day will start to feel more constructive I bet. When I’ve been here, I want to connect so badly that the pushing things around feels most unsatisfying, but I find that doing that, one day soon the breath starts to come back in them, and I may get a few lines while making supper or walking or trying to get to sleep. And I take a few minutes break for paper and pen. Gradually it all adds up.
Hope your world gives you a break soon.
Warmest thanks for the encouraging words, Jeannine. It helps so much to know that writers I admire go through this, too.
one day soon the breath starts to come back in them
A lovely thought. Who was it that said half of writing is showing up?
That desperation that commandeered an hour speaks volumes. Even if not much got done, feeling ready, letting yourself feel ready, is the key, and with a few more hours like that, the ten minutes a day will start to feel more constructive I bet. When I’ve been here, I want to connect so badly that the pushing things around feels most unsatisfying, but I find that doing that, one day soon the breath starts to come back in them, and I may get a few lines while making supper or walking or trying to get to sleep. And I take a few minutes break for paper and pen. Gradually it all adds up.
Hope your world gives you a break soon.
Warmest thanks for the encouraging words, Jeannine. It helps so much to know that writers I admire go through this, too.
one day soon the breath starts to come back in them
A lovely thought. Who was it that said half of writing is showing up?
I think, maybe, sit and read lightly, flipping pages, until something strikes me & then NOT yet try & write, but think–get back in touch with the characters. Next night, try writing?
And I think there’s something about tax week–everything gets pushed out and piles up–it’s a hard week to get big blocks of time. Maybe this week?
& then NOT yet try & write, but think
What a neat approach, Becky. I’ll have to give that a try.
And yes, I’m hoping for better things this week!
I think, maybe, sit and read lightly, flipping pages, until something strikes me & then NOT yet try & write, but think–get back in touch with the characters. Next night, try writing?
And I think there’s something about tax week–everything gets pushed out and piles up–it’s a hard week to get big blocks of time. Maybe this week?
& then NOT yet try & write, but think
What a neat approach, Becky. I’ll have to give that a try.
And yes, I’m hoping for better things this week!
I think, maybe, sit and read lightly, flipping pages, until something strikes me & then NOT yet try & write, but think–get back in touch with the characters. Next night, try writing?
And I think there’s something about tax week–everything gets pushed out and piles up–it’s a hard week to get big blocks of time. Maybe this week?
& then NOT yet try & write, but think
What a neat approach, Becky. I’ll have to give that a try.
And yes, I’m hoping for better things this week!
I’m inspired too. You mean it’s okay to just revisit a story for 10 minutes. YEAH! I’m going to work today….ten minutes, I can do.
Marsha
http://www.marshadianearnold.com
Absolutely it’s okay! Good luck with your writing-in-progress — and thanks for stopping by!
Absolutely it’s okay! Good luck with your writing-in-progress — and thanks for stopping by!
I’m inspired too. You mean it’s okay to just revisit a story for 10 minutes. YEAH! I’m going to work today….ten minutes, I can do.
Marsha
http://www.marshadianearnold.com
I’m inspired too. You mean it’s okay to just revisit a story for 10 minutes. YEAH! I’m going to work today….ten minutes, I can do.
Marsha
http://www.marshadianearnold.com
Absolutely it’s okay! Good luck with your writing-in-progress — and thanks for stopping by!