I don’t get writer’s block very often and when it happens it’s generally fairly mild. Normally I just force myself to write through it, freight train style. Right now I have a case of it triggered by the cyclone in Myanmar and the earthquake in Sichuan province, China. I can usually mark my bouts of writer’s block by tragic world events like these, the ones that make stare in horror at the number of dead and injured and catch my breath in horror.
I’ve been dealing with this bout of writer’s block by baking cookies, cleaning my house like some kind of demon cleaning thing, and taking my daughter to the zoo (basically any distraction distracts me, whereas normally I laugh in the face of things that can take me away from writing…like the laundry, for example).
However, since I just started Witch Fury, the fourth book in the elemental witch series, the writer’s block is being countered by that familiar New! Story! euphoria that I have with every new book. I’ve still managed to get two chapters written in the last week (but my productivity is still much lower than normal). I wish I could talk about Witch Fury, but I can’t talk about Witch Fury without giving away stuff from Witch Heart and I don’t want to be spoilery. But I SO want to! *slaps hand over mouth* Mhhmmm, hmmm, mmmmfth!
I’m not really sure why world events like these destroy my creativity. It’s dumb. I mean, it’s not like I can do anything about them other than give money to reputable organizations, and they’re happening so far away from me geographically. But, then, not really. Through the wonders of modern travel, I could be in Sichuan province in about 24 hours if I really wanted to be. Halfway around the world isn’t far away at all, really. And I think that’s maybe the heart of why I get writer’s block; I don’t perceive these people and places as far away at all.
So, until this funk of mine passes, I’ll write what I can write (I really am very excited by my new book!), garden, and end up with a very clean house. It’s going to be a beautiful day today and a trip to the park may just be in order. I’m looking forward to the summer. My daughter is an outside kind of girl, so I have a feeling we’ll be outside a lot this season, at least until August/September when it becomes far too hot to be outside.
What are you looking forward to this summer? Leave a comment for a chance to win a cosmetic bag filled with bath goodies and chocolate.
May 13th, 2008 at 6:46 am
First of all, I’m sorry you have any kind of writer’s block at all. I know how that feels, believe me. Hang in there! I think the good thing is that you’ve looked at your own writer’s block and analyzed when and possibly why it happens. Good for you. Personal insight during writer’s block really helps.
As for what I’m looking forward to this summer? I’m more a fall girl than a summer girl, but I’m looking forward to Sedona, the Grand Canyon and Meteor Crater in July!
Once again, hang in there my friend. You’ll get all the mojo on your writing back in no time.
Denise A. Agnew
http://www.deniseagnew.com
May 13th, 2008 at 8:26 am
Hi Anya,
Sorry to hear about your writer’s block - and that it’s brought about by such tragic events. [And of course the events themselves.] I love summer - the weather, no school, birthdays… (maybe I’ll change my mind once I’m out of student life forever…)
I’m looking forward to the Olympics. I wanted to go to Beijing, but I forgot about it :X. I have a friend competing in the games. Otherwise… I overloaded my summer with classes and work. Ah well.
May 13th, 2008 at 8:34 am
I like the summer, but not when its hot. I prefer warm spring weather. Nothing really changes for me from season to season, as I homeschool so my daughter and my niece are always home and we go out and do stuff all the time, like the zoo, museums, parks, science center, or sit outside and do nothing. So its really no different around my house in the summer except that the weather is warmer.
We do though take a week or so and go to our family lake house. It’s beautiful there, but for me, it’s so breathtaking that I can’t write. Go figure. The scenery is distracting.
May 13th, 2008 at 10:15 am
I hope your writers block passes. What I am looking forward to this summer is bbq’s with family, fishing with my husband , wearing shorts, capris and sandals and just enjoying the warm weather.
May 13th, 2008 at 10:43 am
I too hope your writer’s block passes. What I’m looking forward to this summer are the movies.
May 13th, 2008 at 11:53 am
I am in a funk, as well, Anya. I just feel very apathetic about a lot of things in life, outside of my family and friends, of course. I also am amazed and horrified a little more each day as the death toll rises for both of these events. How scary to be living that instead of hearing about it from half a world away. Having those kidlets and the rest of the family to share the day with definitely does make all the difference though. Good luck on overcoming the funk, and congrats on the two chapter sucesss!
May 13th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
so sorry to hear of your funk and writers block.. what has been happening around the world is purely tragic..it breaks my heart to watch the news anymore.
what am i looking forward to this summer… well fresh warm air, if it ever gets here..lol.. cooking out and spending as much time as we can squeeze in with hubby.. hes going to be gone most of june, and some of august and most of september,preparing for deployment to Iraq in october again.. so summer is kind of a mixed blesssing.. i love it because we spend time together, i work in the kitchen at the school so i get a couple months off work, but summers going to mean deployment is one step closer…
May 13th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Writer’s block is horrible! I think doing something else does help.
I’m looking forward to just having free time during the Summer. Time to read lots of wonderful books, and watch tv and ohmigod, SLEEP. I’m really looking forward to just not having so much work to do like nowadays! I’d like to wake up one day without immediately thinking of all the paperwork I have to do that day!
May 13th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
I’m actually not a big fan of Summer - I’m a winter/fall person but as long as I get some free time, I don’t care, lol.
May 13th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
I’m looking forward to the longer days and the nice weather. I’m hoping we’ll be able to go to Hawaii this year and visit some friends.
May 13th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
I am most looking forward to sleeping in… to at least nine in the morning…since I get up at five thirty now that would be such a treat. No schedules! ahhh love that! more free time to get things done…wait that is now LOL kids home means no free time but that is okay too its worth it to sleep!
May 13th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
I’m looking forward to longer days and nicer weather to work to work in my yard and garden.
May 13th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Sending you wishes that the funk goes away soon. I’m looking forward to vacation, sitting outside and reading and riding my bike.
May 13th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Sorry to here about your writers block, give it some time I am sure things will get better.
I plan on getting some out door chores done this summer. I have a lot of things that need to be done, some painting and such.
May 13th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
Sorry to here that you currently have writer’s block. I’m sure you will be fine.
What I’m looking toward summer is that I can go outside more, but I certainly hate the summer heat especially when we do not have air conditioning.
May 14th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
I have been horrified about these tragedies too, and have been channeling my energy doing stuff around the house and with my mother (did you know one person can knit 23 sets of scarf and hat in some ten days? I sure didn’t).
I’m looking forward to late Summer, because my eldest is coming to visit for a few weeks after finishing his first year at college. While he’s traveled alone for extended periods of time since a very early age, this is the first time that I haven’t seen him for so many months…