Where is my Muse?
Jul. 18th, 2006 12:18 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
Ok, so I got some things done today. Called the plumber, touched up the kitchen, deposited some checks...even drove to The Urban Muse and worked on the schedule and touched up some worn paint and such. So how come I still feel like I got nothing useful done today?
I got no writing done. Sure I opened up some of the files of the various projects I have underway...but...nothing.
As a writer, I hear my characters, I see their stories unfold...which is why I have to write in a linear fashion. Yeah, I know the direction much of the time, I even might have a beginning, middle, and end to the plot - even the occasional scene in my head. BUT - the journey almost always yields more, brings out aspects and elements I didn't plan on, and I get a richer, more interesting story.
But lately, no matter which project I look at - I am not able to work it. I mean, sure I can attempt to edit Finder, the sequel to Seeker - but - that's not speaking to me now, either. I am just not inspired to write.
But isn't being a writer what I claim I want? So where has my motivation gone? Why is the Muse no longer with me? How come I seem to be unable to tell my stories?
I have a number of projects underway. I began a couple different sci-fi stories - in fact, there are three that have potential to be taken further. Plus my NaNoWriMo story from last November...plus two fantasy starts...plus Finder needs editing, and I am 200 pages plus into Harbinger. So how come not a single on of those is inspiring me? How come nothing new is in my head right now, either?
This ongoing funk is becoming ridiculous. I'm sorry to keep rambling on about it - I don't doubt people are sick of my whining, I know that I most certainly am. I guess I am sharing this because writing, by its very nature, is an isolating, closed act. I am sharing my disillusionment with my friends because I am hoping that, by giving it voice, rather than ignore it and hope it just passes, maybe if I write about it...I can write it away.
Pondering creating a new web site, to share some of my completed work, or serialize some ongoing stuff. Anyone out there be interested in reading it if I did that? And if I did - input/commentary would always be welcome.
Thanks for reading this rambling line of thought.
As a writer, I hear my characters, I see their stories unfold...which is why I have to write in a linear fashion. Yeah, I know the direction much of the time, I even might have a beginning, middle, and end to the plot - even the occasional scene in my head. BUT - the journey almost always yields more, brings out aspects and elements I didn't plan on, and I get a richer, more interesting story.
But lately, no matter which project I look at - I am not able to work it. I mean, sure I can attempt to edit Finder, the sequel to Seeker - but - that's not speaking to me now, either. I am just not inspired to write.
But isn't being a writer what I claim I want? So where has my motivation gone? Why is the Muse no longer with me? How come I seem to be unable to tell my stories?
I have a number of projects underway. I began a couple different sci-fi stories - in fact, there are three that have potential to be taken further. Plus my NaNoWriMo story from last November...plus two fantasy starts...plus Finder needs editing, and I am 200 pages plus into Harbinger. So how come not a single on of those is inspiring me? How come nothing new is in my head right now, either?
This ongoing funk is becoming ridiculous. I'm sorry to keep rambling on about it - I don't doubt people are sick of my whining, I know that I most certainly am. I guess I am sharing this because writing, by its very nature, is an isolating, closed act. I am sharing my disillusionment with my friends because I am hoping that, by giving it voice, rather than ignore it and hope it just passes, maybe if I write about it...I can write it away.
Pondering creating a new web site, to share some of my completed work, or serialize some ongoing stuff. Anyone out there be interested in reading it if I did that? And if I did - input/commentary would always be welcome.
Thanks for reading this rambling line of thought.
no subject
Date: 2006-07-18 04:57 am (UTC)You know if you put it out there for me to read that I will do so.
no subject
Date: 2006-07-18 11:25 am (UTC)Yes, I am am aware of the total irony of it being me saying these things!
As for posting more work on-line...I'll read whatever you give me to read.
no subject
Date: 2006-07-18 01:13 pm (UTC)That's fundamentally what keeps me away from it.
I play games because they're interactive. Fencing, computer gaming, board gaming, tabletop roleplaying. I can affect what's going on, yet need to contend with surprises and rules constraints. These activities are neither all me, nor all them (the other players, the machine): they're a mix.
I rarely watch TV or read because I can't affect what's going on. I rarely write fiction because I have no hard rules or feedback for it: it's just me, my ideas, and my preconceptions of good and bad writing. Not nearly as fun, to my thinking. ;-)
I could give myself some contrived limitations within which to work; but as they feel contrived, they don't inspire.
Understanding an audience, and what I want to share with them, is the only reliable inspiration I've found. Sharing a place I know people would like to go, and a story they'd like to know, is the only thing that's compelled me to write fantasy.
"finish the damn book"
Date: 2006-07-18 04:09 pm (UTC)Go to Staples or Office Max or Office Depot or the office supplies store of your choice.
Go to the aisle of the pens, try them out, find the one that you like bestest and get a box of them. Okay, so it's $12 the box, live a little.
Go to the aisle of the pads and notebooks and do the same thing. Find the paper that says "write on me" in its most seductive subliminal voice. Buy one, buy 2 even ...
Take them with you.
Write when you can, even if it's just scribbles.
no subject
Date: 2006-07-18 08:13 pm (UTC)1. Try a completely different medium.
I did nonfiction to get myself back into the flow. Try screenplays, comics, song lyrics, nonfiction - anything.
2. Give yourself permission to suck.
I sent an entire chapter to my editor with the words "This chapter sucks" as every other sentence. It was my way of reminding myself that every sentence out of my fingers is not deathless prose.
3. Realize that writing is not just a hobby, it is work. Especially if you want to be published.
I think it was Edison who said "Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration." It's hard to write. I'll be the first to agree with you on that. So don't kill yourself with goals. Tell yourself you'll write 100 words a day. Just 100. And reward yourself when you do it. You'll find yourself getting back into the swing of it.
4. Enjoy a day off every once in a while.
It recharges the creative batteries.
Hope this helps!
no subject
Date: 2006-07-19 02:02 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-19 04:14 am (UTC)a. force yourself to do just a bit eachday...a sentence..make it a habbit
b. write in another medium, find something that inspires you, keep it short!!..you seem to have lots of long projects...closure on a project might make you feel better and feel like an acomplishment.
p.s. just so you know I would be very ammused and happy to read something you wrote...but I have problems be judgemental of friends, and I've gotten very picky in my fantasy lately ( i throw away books left and right)..so you might not want to give it to me for any sort of feedback...;-)