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| What I wish writing looked like |
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| What writing actually looks like |
Lately, my brain has felt like melting ice cream. My ideas feel
soggy and my stories feel unwritable. My will power is most definitely shot.
Weirdly enough, I don’t feel as stressed by this as I probably should be.
Summer has always been a lazy season for me.
But I am trying to get better. I have a few goals I’d like
to accomplish, if not by the end of summer, then at least by the end of the
year. Writing-wise, I want to finish the first draft of at least one longer
project. I’ve also been thinking about posting a short story or two on Figment.
(I have an account, but I haven’t used it much yet.)
I’m also trying to read more. Most days I waste hours on the
computer and go to bed feeling drained and depressed. I’ve been working my way
through the Bloody Jack series (it’s amazing, especially if you like ships and
the ocean and the whole wooden-ships-and-iron-men genre, which I do). I also
just started rereading the Artemis Fowl series, and I’m about a quarter of the
way through The Whispering Skull by Jonathon Stroud.
Basically, I’ve just realized that I wasted a good chunk of
my summer and I’m trying to salvage as much of it as I can. At the same time, I’m
trying not to be too hard on myself because I really have enjoyed the chance to
relax and slack off a bit. I’ll probably never be one of those people who can
turn out half a book in a day, and that’s okay. Enjoying the process (at least
some of the time) is what’s really important.
I know what you mean. I think sometimes I forget that I like to write, and sort of fall away from my writing goals. I love the Artemis Fowl series, although I hope that you'd continue to keep reading new stuff, too, although that can be hard. I'm glad that even if you haven't been particularly productive, you've had some down time and may be able to jump back in as summer ends. :)
ReplyDeleteI think that it's important to take breaks and recharge, otherwise I do tend to stop enjoying writing and start viewing it as some kind of chore. And it's so neat to find another Artemis Fowl fan! That series is one of my all-time favorites, and rereading it has been super fun and inspiring :)
DeleteI totally back you on somehow realising you've lost an entire month of summer holidays and just how?!? I still have so many things I meant to do, ahaha. Relaxing is great, enjoying writing is better, and PLEASE DO post some of your writing! I'd love to check it out :D
ReplyDeleteI shouldn't plan to get so much done during summer, because I NEVER DO. Oh, well.
DeleteThanks for the encouragement! I've been thinking of posting some stuff on Figment for awhile--it seems like such a great community. I have a couple of ideas in the pipeline, so we'll see how it goes.
I like to think of read as "writing study". ^^
ReplyDeleteDon't be too hard on yourself. Summers always seem crazy busy and to have such random schedules for me. I'm in the middle of outlining my next project. It feels such a mess and I'm getting anxious about actually STARTING. But I'm trying to focus on the fun of it, which is important (like you said).
Just take it day by day. Every word is an accomplishment, even if it has to be edited later. Besides that, I KNOW your writing is FANTASTICALLY AMAZING. I hope you'll share a link to your Figment works. ^^
I like to think of READING as "writing study".
DeleteGoodness. Sometimes my typing is just horrid. ;)
Aw, thank you!! I'll absolutely post the link once I get something up on Figment.
DeleteStarting a project is always the hardest part for me, especially since my first drafts are so astronomically horrible. Like you said, though, just taking it day by day really helps. And trying to relax and have fun, even if what you're writing at the moment does feel pretty terrible. I love your writing, too, and I'd love to hear more about your new project!
I know what you mean! Sometimes my writing feels forced, and sometimes I don't feel like writing at all. So there's always that period of time where you're totally unproductive. Personally, I feel happy when I'm busy, so I hate knowing my time could've been spent doing something better.
ReplyDeleteAlso, nice gif uses. :')
Exactly. I think unproductive times are unavoidable, and sometimes they can be a good thing--I need recharge sometimes--but I always feel better when I'm working on something.
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