So while your manuscript is sitting on the floor, chopped up in pieces, along with the clumps of hair you've pulled out while fretting about putting it back together in the right order. . . As I mentioned in last week's Friday Fave, revising can be hard on the writer's soul at times. Understandably so, since it basically requires dismantling all the stuff you just, well, mantled.
Maybe it's time to take a little break. A mental break. Before your mind breaks.
The best thing is to step away from the writing entirely. Take a walk or go people watch somewhere interesting. Or try to do something fun, even though I'm not sure I still know what that is.
Sometimes, though, that itch to write won't let you get away. (I know. I've tried.)
This is when it's a good idea to scribble down something else. Find a writing prompt that intrigues you. Let your mind wander through a succession of "What ifs" unrelated to your WIP. Drag out an older manuscript that got set aside and see what you had to say in there.
I wrote down a scene the other day that popped into my head. It had nothing to do with anything I was working on, and it was not connected to any of the other WIPs waiting (im)patiently for my attention. The characters were so clear, and quite insistent, so I furiously typed their scene and then stored it away. It's going to be enjoyable to revisit it one day.
Another day my mind kept coming back to a little snippet I'd written up on the blog last fall, when I posted a writing prompt for all of us involving a puppy and a ball. It started out as a way to cleanse my writing palate, and turned into a novella that I'm really quite fond of. It was a challenge to write something that short, and I most likely wouldn't have attempted it if I hadn't needed a little break from the other things on my worktable.
Sometimes while I'm wrestling with something, a blog post idea jumps to the front of my mind. That involves a different sort of writing, so my brain likes to play with this new set of words, and afterwards it feels ready to tackle the revisions again.
I don't think it's a bad thing to move around from writing project to writing project. I know there's a fear that nothing will get finished. But think of this as working different muscle groups. You don't want to have huge biceps and scrawny calves, right? So give all your creative muscles a thorough workout.
You're more likely to finish something if you're feeling refreshed and inspired. That's what the shorter, smaller bits of writing accomplish. Once you're done with those, then you can go back revived and raring to go on the original project.
I'm even following my own advice today. Now that I've finished this post, my muse is ready to go put the pieces together on that WIP I left scattered everywhere the other day.
I can't wait for you to see it.
Looking forward to reading your stories!! :-)
For me, I find it helps to work on two projects at once.
Posted by: Liz Fichera | May 23, 2011 at 08:55 AM
Liz, you're a sweetie. :) I like having multiple projects to work on--which I mentioned in another recent post, didn't I? Maybe I'm just trying to convince myself of that. LOL
Posted by: Donna Cummings | May 23, 2011 at 09:15 AM
This is such good advice! I have a few stories running around in my head, but I've been avoiding them in favor of my revisions, which have started to feel stale. Maybe I should freshen up with a short story.
Posted by: Kari Marie | May 23, 2011 at 10:36 AM
Kari Marie, I like to go back and re-read some of these snippets sometimes. It kind of inspires me, to see what my brain came up with, and it does freshen things up a bit. Good luck with your short story!
Posted by: Donna Cummings | May 23, 2011 at 11:07 AM
I am in the process of dismantling what I 'mantled' and you're right.
It is hard on the soul.
I'm spending so much time on something that renders seemingly NO PROGRESS (in fact, I'm losing word and page count as I cut stuff I see I don't need...)
But it is necessary.
Can't wait to see your scattered pieces picked back up and made whole again.
Posted by: julie gardner | May 23, 2011 at 01:25 PM
Julie, I joked on Twitter the other day that if I cut any more from this WIP, it would be a bookmark instead of a book. LOL So I definitely sympathize. I took a couple days off from reassembling this thing, so I better get back to it before I forget what goes where!
Posted by: Donna Cummings | May 23, 2011 at 03:33 PM
P.S. You've been Tagged!! See my blog today for the deets. Don't feel obligated to play, though. Totally optional.
Posted by: Liz Fichera | May 25, 2011 at 09:10 AM
Thanks, Liz! I'll definitely check it out. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | May 25, 2011 at 10:14 AM