Whenever I finish a story, I like to take a little break, so I can recharge my brain, and rejuvenate the muse. Yet I hate to be away too long, because then I worry that I won't remember how to write.
(That bike-riding analogy doesn't really work, since the last time I tried to ride a bike, as an adult, after transporting myself everywhere on the two-wheeled version of freedom as a child -- well, let's just say I managed to jump off before we both went sailing down a hill.)
The longer I stay away from writing, the easier it is to think I've completely forgotten how to put words together into sentences, and sentences into stories. Which is why I come up with some damn fine excuses for not writing. It's amazing how creative I can be when I'm worried I've lost all ability to create.
Starting a new story has its own set of anxieties. Will I like these characters? What if they're not as awesome as the last story I worked on? Will they like me, or will they run away whenever I try to tell their story? It's like the first day in a new school, checking out everyone else who seems to know each other, and you feel like the interloper.
The writer is always going to be the outsider, looking inward, in order to dredge up a story and characters that have not been formed yet, and worrying that it's the same tale that's been told before, and more exquisitely, by somebody else.
Yet when I finally drag myself to the laptop and force myself to sit and type, it's always a flat-out miracle how comfortable it all feels. Why did I stay away so long? It's like I'm meeting up with long-lost friends, and we can't stop chattering to each other.
Fear is a writer's constant uninvited companion. We treat it with healthy respect, because we know what it can do if it's allowed free rein. Still, the best way to harness that fear is to sit down amongst our new characters and become friends with them, leaving the doubt and anxiety on the outside of this cozy circle.
The fear never disappears, and we don't need to let loose of it entirely, but we ought to make it work within our parameters.
One new word at a time.
Bertrand Russel once said:
“One of the symptoms of an approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one's work is terribly important.”
He was joking .... I think! LOL
In my sporting days, nervousness before a match always sharpened responses and heightened awareness, helping performance to peak.
Same is true of writing. A little fear or anxiety sharpens your creativity but too much will paralyse your mind.
Like hard drink or strong coffee, a little is stimulating but over indulgence is a killer.
Donna, I'm confidant you can get the balance right.
The evidence is in your books. Not even a lawyer can argue with facts! *smile*
Posted by: Quantum | June 04, 2012 at 03:37 AM
I think it’s the initial trepidation of starting something new. When I’m working on a novel or a story I’m in a ‘zone.’ I know the characters and setting so well after a few chapters that everything flows, the writing doesn’t need to be coaxed.
But starting something new? As much as I love the initial flush of creativity, there is always an awkward moment of trying to find that same footing and reestablish the zone. Then the magic happens. Although sometimes it does need a little persuasion for the first spark to ignite, LOL.
This was a great post, Donna, especially as I’m starting something new at the moment. You reminded me that I need to get past the hurdle and get busy!
Posted by: Mae Clair | June 04, 2012 at 09:23 AM
Q, are you trying to tell me this ISN'T important? LOL I think we can get too caught up in our own importance, and that helps to feed the fear monster. And you're so right about a little of it helping to increase our creativity. It's tricky sometimes to find that sweet spot though. I'm glad you have confidence in me! I know who to come to when I need a pep talk. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | June 04, 2012 at 10:51 AM
Mae, I'm glad you found this helpful. My posts tend to be a reminder for ME more than anything. LOL I've got a couple of projects I want to get back to, and I can't quite decide which one gets my attention. I think it's partly because I have to relearn these characters. And I'm still kinda attached to the ones I just finished!
You're so right about the magic happening, and then we're in the zone. I love that part. I'll have to jump in and let it happen. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | June 04, 2012 at 10:58 AM
I have the same problem when I haven't been writing, except that I've got so many stories unfinished that I haven't needed to worry about starting any for years.
Been focusing so much on my upcoming release that I'm almost afraid to get back to work on my current WIP. Of course I don't have time anyway, but still... The nervousness is there.
And I won't be getting on a bike anytime soon either. ;)
Posted by: Kate Warren | June 04, 2012 at 02:12 PM
Kate -- congrats on your upcoming release. :) I'm looking forward to it.
I have a lot of stories that are close to being finished, so I need to give them some time and attention, but it makes me a bit nervous too -- hoping I don't wreck them or something now that they're so close. LOL
We'll declare this a bike-free zone. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | June 04, 2012 at 10:40 PM