Every writer experiences those moments when they think they have no more words, no more story ideas, absolutely nothing left inside to say. It's such a bleak feeling—like when you realize the half-and-half has run out, or even worse, it's gone bad and there's a snowstorm outside and you can't get to the store to buy more.
On those writing days, the best thing to do is to sit and scribble, or tap away nonsensical words on the computer, to get the ugly out, or prime the well, or whatever your definition of muse foreplay might be.
All of a sudden, the ideas start shooting towards the surface. You are still filled with disbelief, however, so you try to shove them back down, or you dart to the side, convinced it was a rogue loose cannon. But it's not. It's your subconscious showing off, letting you know there's plenty of life in there.
When this happens, too often we shoo those pesky ideas away, muttering, "Not now, I'm busy".
I've done this way too many times, usually because I have an expectation of when the words are supposed to show up. I wake up some mornings with my brain racing around like a two-year-old who has just consumed a fifty-pound bag of sugar. "Can't you wait til I have some coffee?" I grumble, but it can't.
Other mornings I wake up and it's as if my brain cells have been hit with that mind eraser thing in Men in Black. I can do the basics – get out of bed, stumble to the coffee maker – but ideas? Not even a bad one.
So maybe it's understandable that I am suspicious when there's an outpouring of ideas/words/plots/characters/blog posts. Instead, I should be grateful, and smart, grabbing every single one as it comes zinging through my brain.
Writers are a contrary lot. We cry at not being able to write, and then when we can, we don't. I understand, and empathize, but I'm not going to let us waste another single minute.
When your muse gets the urge, go play. Don't you dare say "Not now, I'm busy". It won't take long before your ideas get the hint. They may not dry up entirely, but it just may take longer before they trust you, and we all know how hard it is to win back trust that has been broken.
I know it's not easy to keep a schedule. I've tried many times and well, I have to keep trying to make that work. One thing I do is always keep an open mind, as well as something to write with. I do my best not to swat away the ideas as they sneak up on me. They get priority. They are doing their job by showing up, and it's my job to write them down.
If not, I only have myself to blame when they go elsewhere.
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My second post at Heroes and Heartbreakers is up, and it's called The Unwritten Contract: Happily Ever Afters in Romance. I'd love for you to stop by and read it, and if you feel like leaving a comment, that would double my happiness!
We writers really are at the top of the 'get in your own way' club...
Just as we are wondrous at the 'what is the worst thing that can happen' club...
An imagination is a terrible burden some days!
I just wish I could slow down enough to let the muse play!
Posted by: Maureen | April 04, 2011 at 03:11 AM
I carry a notebook for this occasion. Of course all my ideas want page time while I'm at work!
Posted by: Kari Marie | April 04, 2011 at 08:03 AM
Maureen, my muse is capricious, so when she wants to play, I'm usually trying to do something else. This post came about because I was working on a different one, but then the words for this one started coming. I opened another Word doc and started typing! LOL
Posted by: Donna Cummings | April 04, 2011 at 09:34 AM
Kari Marie, I do the same thing. I went for a nice little drive yesterday to enjoy the sunshine and made sure I had keys, cell phone, AND a notebook. LOL I didn't end up using it, but I was ready just in case. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | April 04, 2011 at 09:35 AM
I'm happy to report I now carry a notebook in my purse at all times. It's come in handy twice already. I've no idea when my writing time is, as it seems to be late at night. Since I have a day job, that's a real problem. There are times I get in a groove and follow an evening schedule, but I'm out of groove right now.
If anyone sees my groove, please send it back. I'm desperate. LOL!
Posted by: Terri Osburn | April 04, 2011 at 02:25 PM
Terri, the notebook is essential I think. I was getting tired of scribbling on old receipts in my purse and not being able to read them afterwards. LOL
I'm wondering if my groove ran off with yours today. LOL It's dark and pouring down rain--I even heard thunder--so it should be good for writing. My muse seems to be moving to a nighttime schedule again though. Better go get my notebook ready!
Posted by: Donna Cummings | April 04, 2011 at 02:52 PM
"get the ugly out." LOVE that!
Posted by: Liz Fichera | April 05, 2011 at 12:00 PM
Liz, it's my own special way of describing that "sh*tty first draft". LOL
Posted by: Donna Cummings | April 05, 2011 at 12:16 PM
I've learned the same thing, Donna - to write whatever's pressing on me as long as I can, and when it's not, to try to work on my WIP regardless.
Posted by: Jan O'Hara | April 07, 2011 at 12:50 AM
Jan, that's exactly it, getting the words out of the brain so it doesn't explode. LOL Since the brain is such a multi-tasker, it makes sense that it has a zillion projects in mind. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | April 07, 2011 at 09:06 AM