How do you get into the writing groove after some time away? Or, even worse, after a major life change?
Because I've had both in the latter days of 2006 and I still haven't found the groove. Partly, having a husband home 24/7 interrupts my routine. Then again, living in someone else's house doesn't help either. I don't have my couch, my books, my things. It's strange, and somewhat disconcerting. I'm a traveler, but a semi-permanent guest as well. I have suitcases and boxes, but no return ticket.
I have a project on the burner that needs to get cooking. I'm looking at it and wondering, “Where was I going with this?” I am not an outliner or plotter, so I have no path planned. Just a few notes in my writing journal where I sketched out what I thought was happening.
I hate that I got sidetracked. I also know it was unavoidable. The last month in Hawaii was a whirlwind. Every day since we've arrived here has been by turns frustrating, busy, or monotonous. So much to do and nothing to do. We're in a hurry up and wait situation. I don't do well with uncertainty.
How do you restart the steam engine when it's sitting on the tracks waiting for things to come to a boil?
I’m in the same boat right now. Between Christmas with having 2 kids home and Julie’s wedding next week, I’m finding myself procrastinating and short on energy to commit to anything. The only thing that seems to work for me is very tiny goals: 300 words, even if they’re not good words, or one hour with nothing in front of me but the ms.
Hope you find your way back soon.
Tiny goals are good, TK! I need to do that, need to focus on small obtainable goals. Yesterday, I pulled out the WIP and read it straight through. Today, I’d like to figure out the direction I’m going with it next. Maybe I’ll even write a couple of pages. OTOH, I still have a man around the house who will probably want to go somewhere at the drop of a hat. All I can do is roll with it. 🙂
Hugs and congrats on the wedding. 🙂
Ummm… I have stopped the last few weeks… BUT to help me, I reread the last chapter I wrote and then write one sentence… and then another one, … I fill a page and then start again the next day.
Work up to it.