We can get bogged down when we spend all our time writing, or thinking about writing. It can often lead to mental fatigue, which makes us think our writing is pure junk, which then leads to not wanting to write at all, which then leads to guilt for not writing.
It's a vicious trap, and I have a few suggestions that I hope will help you break free.
1. Read an entire book in one sitting –-Writing can deplete your brain cells, and they need replenishing, so top them off with words. Think of reading as an essential ingredient, with words being a daily vitamin. It's tempting to think you are too busy to read, especially when you're writing, so all you consume are tweets or blogs. But that can make things worse.
I spent the entire day yesterday reading. I used to do that all the time before I started writing, but now it seems like an indulgence. It's not. It's a necessity. Your brain will thank you for it. It gets motivated when it sees other words, and it starts to think, "I can do that". It may even start to feel competitive. So revitalize your mojo with some of the basic nutritional building blocks every writer needs: words found in books.
2. Read your own work as though you're a fan –- Read your manuscript for enjoyment. Pick up something you wrote a while ago, so it will be fresh for you. Don't look at it as something that needs revision. Look at it as though it's a book someone else wrote. It will amaze you. Allow yourself to get caught up in the story. Laugh at the funny parts. Sniffle at the sad parts.
Let the joy that brought you to write this book sweep over you again. It will remind you why you fell in love with writing in the first place. Celebrate what you achieved with your writing. Pat yourself on the back. We do need to look at our work with a critical eye—but not 24/7. It is meant to be enjoyed, so allow yourself an opportunity to do that.
3. Read your future, not your past – It's too easy to despair at how we haven't accomplished as much as we'd hoped, especially when it comes to our writing. We look back and see how much time has gone by. We mourn for the manuscripts not written, for the books not yet published.
Looking back serves a purpose, but give the past a glance, not a long wistful gaze. Think of how you drive, with a quick check at the rearview mirror to see what's behind you. You spend the majority of your time looking forward. That's the best way to keep yourself going on this writing journey.
Each day is a fresh chance to add new words, to tell new stories. You've come a long distance. Yet there are plenty more adventures ahead. Focus on those instead of lamenting the time that is gone. Take some new risks. If they don't work, they too will soon be part of the past. If you have fun with it, it becomes part of your mythology, or your memoirs.
Writing is hard work, but it's also a wild ride. Try to find ways to revel in the words, jumping into them like one of those ball pits at fast food places. Dive in, toss them around, laugh at how you're in the midst of something filled with something meant to be pure fun.
Remind yourself why you love books, and reading. That's why you wanted to write in the first place. Hold on to that thought and the mojo will be there when you need it.
Well, I periodically do the read a book in one sitting. Or nearly one sitting. (I mean, the dog does need her walk!)
Okay, I'm my biggest fan. Again, I periodically cast my brain over something I wrote and dig it outta the computer archives to read it again...and I'm always impressed at the story. Not necessarily the writing, but the story. I tell a good story!
Looking ahead. That can be tricky. Not because I spend too much time looking in the rear view mirror but because I'm either too focused on the far ahead and so tend to weave a bit on the road or am focused too much on each exit as it comes up and wondering if I need that one or not...
It's finding that right place to focus on that is the trick!
Posted by: Maureen | April 25, 2011 at 12:22 AM
Maureen, I rarely get to read in one sitting anymore, so I enjoy it when I do. And I'm glad to hear you are your biggest fan! I think we all should be our biggest fan, but we often let the inner critic sway us the other direction unfortunately.
LOL about trying to figure out which exit to take. That is so true. It's nice to have options, but boy, sometimes they can get overwhelming!
Posted by: Donna Cummings | April 25, 2011 at 09:59 AM
great ideas, donna! i especially like the rearview mirror concept and yep, reading replenishes very nicely, indeed!
Posted by: jennw | April 25, 2011 at 12:31 PM
Jenn, I forget how much I need to replenish with reading. It's sad that I get too busy for it sometimes. :( Glad you liked the rearview mirror idea.
Posted by: Donna Cummings | April 25, 2011 at 12:41 PM
Wonderful, Donna. It also helps, when reading your own work, if you can format it as an ebook and stick it on a Kindle, Nook, etc.... the more it looks like a "real" book, the better the experience!
Posted by: Leigh Michaels | April 25, 2011 at 01:11 PM
Leigh, that's an excellent tip about formatting it as an e-book for reading purposes. I don't have one (yet! After reading today about the upgrades to the Nook Color, I am so tempted.) Until I do, I try to read in Word using the two-page format that looks book-ish. It's fun AND it feels like a book!
Posted by: Donna Cummings | April 25, 2011 at 01:29 PM
Donna: Your post came at JUST the RIGHT moment. Thanks! I read until 3:15 am a few nights ago, only because I wanted to, was home alone and therefore could. It felt great.
Now I have to put aside the next temptation and put my own words on the page.
Posted by: Cassy Pickard | April 25, 2011 at 01:39 PM
Cassy, I'm glad it arrived when it did. :) I miss those middle-of-the-night reading extravaganzas. They're so wonderful, but I had to remind myself that they're also part of a writer's toolkit. And I'm trying to step away from my other temptations. I do have the Word doc open!
Posted by: Donna Cummings | April 25, 2011 at 02:00 PM
Great suggestions, Donna. When my brain is too fried to write, I'll watch a movie with the same setting. It always gets those ideas flowing. Or puts me to sleep. Sleep is good for re-energizing, isn't it?
Posted by: Clarissa Southwick | April 25, 2011 at 02:08 PM
I love these suggestions, Donna. I am in between books right now, and a few weeks ago, I read 2 entire books in 5 days, something I have not done in awhile.
You are so right about recharging and just reading an old manuscript for pleasure. I have decided I am not the best writer in the world, but I like reading my stories and hopefully, others will, too.
Posted by: Liz Lipperman | April 25, 2011 at 02:24 PM
Clarissa, sleep is definitely re-energizing! In fact, I seem to have lost my ability to nap, and I wish I could get that back. I'm positive it's a good creativity enhancer. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | April 25, 2011 at 02:30 PM
Liz, that does sound wonderful, reading 2 books in 5 days. And I love reading old manuscripts--there's always something in there that delights me, making me exclaim, "Wow, did I write that?!" I have no doubt people will love reading your stories. They sound so fun. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | April 25, 2011 at 02:32 PM
Great post and one I needed today.
Posted by: Tiffinie Helmer | April 25, 2011 at 04:15 PM
Tiffinie, I'm glad it helped out!
Posted by: Donna Cummings | April 25, 2011 at 04:26 PM
Great blog, Donna. Burn out can really be like hitting a brick wall. I recall times when I couldn't string the words together. It's as if I had completely forgotten how to write. But when I step away from it, everything comes back. The fastest and best way for me is to pick up a book. I'm so busy now that I find myself thinking I don't have time to read, but you're right, it's part of our job. We need to read.
Posted by: Anita Clenney | April 25, 2011 at 04:55 PM
Anita, reading is a solace, isn't it? And we do need to read, because pouring out words can be a draining experience. Getting lost in a good book is such a great way to get rid of that burnt-out brick-wall feeling. As soon as I'm done revising today, I'm going to luxuriate in a good book. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | April 25, 2011 at 05:13 PM
If I couldn't read every day (or almost every day), I'd go crazy. Great suggestions!
Posted by: Liz Fichera | April 26, 2011 at 09:07 AM
Liz, I never realize how weird it is to NOT read until I pick up a book and start reading -- and then I think, "Wow, this is so great! Why don't I read more?" LOL
Posted by: Donna Cummings | April 26, 2011 at 09:31 AM
Such great advice. My favorite is the "read a book in one sitting" tip.
(although with kids it's not realistic to do it ALL at once, really.)
But I've been trying to fit in reading in big chunks as often as I can. Every afternoon for at least 30 minutes and every evening for close to an hour.
And also for an hour when my kids are at karate on Mondays-Fridays.
I average close to two hours a day.
It's amazing how much I can get read when I turn off the TV and ignore the cell phone.
And I truly do think it's the best way to improve your own writing. (IMHO.)
And now? Off to read ROOM, by Emma Donohue.
Can't wait!
Posted by: julie gardner | April 29, 2011 at 01:43 PM
Julie, I agree that reading helps improve our own writing. I read (!) somewhere that reading is what helps us internalize story structure, and it makes sense. It's a much more fun way to learn those things. :) I haven't been reading as much as I'd like, so I'm working hard to add it in. Maybe I consider it too much of a pleasure. LOL I'll have to start calling it "work".
Posted by: Donna Cummings | April 29, 2011 at 03:32 PM