I need to start my next book and I can't seem to get past the stumbling of fingers on keyboard, and the fingers hesitate and stumble because I'm at the beginning. Beginnings used to be my favorite part of writing. I loved the crisp, fresh idea, the opportunity to do anything, create anything, the sense of unlimitless possibilities. But now, after writing 30 books for two different publishers, beginnings mean something else.
They're work.
And due to fatigue (or just general laziness) there's no momentum, not like the old days, not like the hungry days where I would have given my heart and soul to be published. The problem isn't that I don't want to write--I do--but I find it much harder to jump start the process. Once I'm three or four chapters into a book, I find the momentum and tension begins building, and settling into the story every day becomes easier and easier. It's just the beginning. It feels so cold. So much like a non-event.
The secret for finding the momentum and passion is this: unplugging. I have to unplug the modem, unplug the phone, and make myself sit there without diversions, without excuses, and write. Two hours a day for the first couple of days, and then three for the next three, and then by week two, it's a minimum of four straight hours and by the end of the week, I should be pretty dang committed.
I also have to light scented candles and plug in little pink and orange lights and make sure I've got great music on the CD player. That way I enjoy sitting for three and four hour stretches at my computer. That way I'm lulled into relaxing, and focusing, and writing.
Does anyone else ever fight writing? If so, why? Do you think it's fear, or worse, just good old fashioned laziness? If you have tips or tricks for getting yourself to write, I'd love them to hear them. I might just try them.
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4 comments:
I put on my headphones and blare my IPOD to drown out my cell, kids, etc. I always need background music when I write, like my own personal soundtrack for the book. Good luck!
Jane!
Wow, did I just write that post?
I was just recently opining the other day about how just when you're falling in love with your characters, the plot is humming, you're moving the camera around and the world is in 3D finally - the book gets finished. Ripped from your cold, dead hands.
And then you're handed a blank page and a bunch of people you don't really know and a one dimensional world.
Megan said it best when she said that starting a new book is like going on a bunch of awkward first dates - which absolutely rang true for me. It just feels cold. Like a new home - and you know it'll get better, and you know it'll warm up...but for those first few weeks/months it just feels...scratchily new.
I started going to the Starbucks because the human activity broke up the monotony of staring at a blank screen - and the bribery of constant coffee works wonders. I have noise reduction headphones which also help, as well as a handpicked playlist (of course)...and because I'm not at home, I can't putter or look at the dishes that need to be done, or even go on the internet...this new plan was a lifesaver, and one that I'll be sticking with for Book Four.
Good Luck!
I couldn't agree more! I loathe staring at a blank document and always write so much faster once I've introduced the characters and setting. I usually end up hating the beginning chapters and often go back and slash them to bits later on!
For me it's fear of the unknown. Like the devil you don't know and you're not sure of you want to know. But like that new guy, he can be molded into something keep-able. Best of luck.
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