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For a lark, I went on Fictionmania and looked up my first story. I didn't read it, but I read the comments. I had written something magical, that had really touched people, and it made me feel good about myself that I could connect with people.
I don't have tons of stories out there like some people, but I hope what I like in quantity I more than make up for in quality. But something seems to have happened since that very first story (The Wishing Blanket if you must know). My stuff, for the most part has been dark, and I wonder if that is the best for me. Lately I haven't even the desire to really write. I made an attempt at A Mother's Love, but took it down because I couldn't fathom finishing it. I also didn't finish the birthday story either. It just seems my motivation for writing is gone and I wonder why. It's not like I don't have ideas. I have whole novels in my head, just waiting to be written.
Maybe it's the computer. Let me explain:
For a long while I was in prison and didn't have access to a computer. So I started hand writing out my work. It seemed that I was hand writing 5 pages a day and plotting and coming up with character sketches (sort of). It was a great way to past time and I think I produced things of real quality (Adoption of Little Orphan Danny, the last two books of the God Bless The Child Trilogy, No Greater Love etc.) It's not like I have real demands on my time. I basically work 4 hours a night, so I got 20 other hours in which to do things. I just can't seem to get moving, and when I do, I just stop. I would really like to get back to really writing, but it seems so draining all of a sudden when it use to be such a pleasure.
Part of me wants to do a mainstream, non-tg book (I consider God Bless The Child mainstream BTW). I have an idea about a christian baseball player who gets a brain tumor, told from the vantage point of an agnostic old sports reporter. I also have another called "I'll be home for Christmas" about a traveling salesman who gets wrongfully convicted of kidnapping. See the ideas are there, I just don't know why I don't sit down and hone my craft.
The last thing is, I really, really, really, really want to be published. I think God Bless the Child is first rate but it just sits on the site and I don't even know where to send it to be published (by a publisher, not by me). It use to be available from PublishAmerica, but didn't do like I had hoped. Since then I had polished it and did a major re-write, changed the chapterization, and cleaned it up a ton.
I know I am rambling... but how do i get that zest and magic back. Do I just force myself to sit and write, the fear is that would make it a chore. Should I write in smaller chunks (I usually aim for 5 typed pages or 4000 words). Should I just take some time away from fiction sites and see if things just return to normal? Or should I eat a bran muffin and hope in one way or another shit begins to flow? Someone help.
Comments
I can relate, there was a
I can relate, there was a time awhile back that i was writing a few times a day and putting out the different parts of my story much faster then I got sick and ended up spending a lot of time hospitalized and since I was released its been hard trying to get back into the writing pattern that I was previously in and people have moved on to other stories causing the comments to drop and if you are me the comments are what helps guild the story.
There were a few times that I thought of just saying the hell with the story that I was working on and moving on to the next one but decided to spend sometime reading the earlier chapters and going through the comments, which helped me come up with a new direction for the story that I am writing now.
Maybe it will help you get back to your writing if you do the same, what else might help to is spending sometime reading the stories that inspired you to start writing in the first place.
Cain
Zest.
Well, first you buy some citrus fruits, and then you use a grater against the skin...
I figured you wanted some lemon zest, or maybe orange zest.
As for motivation, you may be in the situation where I am - I REALLY need to exercise, because once your body is healthy, your mind tends to follow.
BW
I'll get a life when it's proven and substantiated to be better than what I'm currently experiencing.
Just write random things
Come up with a few good parts then connect them with the filler. Mostly how I write. I already have the major plot lines typed up and finished. I use the rest of my time thinking, how do I connect part A to part B.
I know, weird. But I like it. Really keeps me focused, plus my mind tends to wander too much so it's good to write the important stuff down, so I wouldn't forget!
Perhaps...
...try a hybrid approach? Grab a pad of paper and use it to sketch out characters, concepts, and possibly even a rough plot outline. Paper allows you to be more free-form and brain storm. Once you've got your milestones sorted out, try turning to the computer. If it's likely to be a long story, start off by trying to get your characters and plot from point A to point B, rather than all the way from A to Z. Keep the document in a handy location, so if / when you're in the mood, you can open it up and add a few paragraphs or a few pages, depending on how long your inspiration and motivation lasts. It may be very occasional, but if by the end of each month you've made at least some progress on a story, well, that's progress and a step nearer to completion!
As the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, then only left-handers are in their right mind!
Zeal?
Is zeal colored teal?
Does zeal taste like veal?
Does zeal have appeal?
If zeal were like eel,
it would be in my creel,
breaded with cornmeal,
fried up as my meal.
This has been an ordeal,
thus ends my zeal spiel.
Is zeal even real?
Kris
{I leave a trail of Kudos as I browse the site. Be careful where you step!}
I get my best ideas in a bath
but that's me. A lot depends on your overall state - when you're upset or depressed, you may have more trouble writing. I hope you can find the ability again hon, I love your work.