by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
It happens to all of us.
If life hasn’t hijacked your writing schedule, then you’ve either been very lucky or else you haven’t been writing for very long.
Writing first thing in the day helps with this—but it’s not a sure-fire fix, either.
The important thing is not to let our falling behind completely shut us down.
I’m probably about 8 or 9 pages behind right now on my current project after a wild last week. I wrote every day, but I couldn’t make my daily goal. What I’ll be doing this week:
Jumping back into our story:
Consider limited Re-reading: The worst part is losing the story thread. I’ll usually read the last couple of pages and just forge ahead. If I poke around too long in past pages, I start getting my editor hat on. For me, that kills the creative process. But every writer is different. And this is harder to do if you’re way behind.
Timer: I’ll write as quickly as I can for 10 minutes. I won’t worry about if it’s something that’s going to need to be cut later. The important thing is making process on the story…mentally, that’s important. The next day, the writing will be more focused.
Lists: At the very least, sit down and make a list for options for your next scene, options for your character’s development, options for the next big conflict. Get your mind back into the story again.
Silence your inner critic: It’s not doing us any good.
Don’t try to catch up: It’s not fun to meet your daily goal and then write more than that to satisfy your catch-up goal. If I’m not close to a deadline (and right now I’m not), then I’m going to forget about those 8 or 9 pages I’m behind on. Each day is an opportunity to meet that day’s goal.
The important thing is to pick up our story again. It might be that the only way of doing that means taking a small notebook on the go to jot down story notes. I’m doing that today when I take my kids to their dentist appointment. Just figure out a way to fit it in.
How do you jump back into your story after a break?
Image: Flickr: Hamad AL-Mohannna
Elizabeth – Are you reading my mind?! Seriously I very much need to think about these things today as I need to jump back into my WIP. I agree with you that a little re-reading of what one’s written is useful. Sometimes when I do that too I think of new ways to make the last scene I was working on better. The other thing I do is think about what I’m writing before I sit down to get back into it. If I have it in my recent memory it’s easier to just start writing when I actually sit down at the computer. And you think almost no matter what else you’re doing.
I was away and without a computer for 4 days last week, so I know exactly what you mean. I’m trying out Scrivener with this new story (and loving it!) and just reviewing the index cards helped me swing right back in!
Excellent suggestions! As the lazy days of summer come to an end, I know I need to get back into my writing routine.
Such timing. I was with family last week, dealing with the fact that my parents need to be much more proactive in dealing with their aging process. Needless to say, it was a stressful week, and although I wanted to maintain my writing schedule, nothing happened.
So, now I’m home and I’m staring at being behind and all the other things that arose while you’ve been out of town.
Plus, I was at a point where I had to stop and figure out some major plot points before I could move forward. I’ve printed out the last few chapters, started making notes using the Rule of Twenty, and hope to be productive again today.
Terry
Terry’s Place
I’ll go back a page or two and re-read. And I do keep notes as I write f things I need to add or go back and adjust. Usually if I can just force myself to write for ten minutes, I can slip easily into writing mode.
I’ve been derailed most of the summer. I have made notes and worked more on characters. I plan to reread and will attempt to keep my editor outside pulling weeds while I do it so she doesn’t try to get in on the act.
Oh, man–I’ve totally gotten derailed… I’ve been derailed by competing deadlines before, but this is my first time life has gotten so huge I just couldn’t… I only have about 4 more scenes to write in my book, but I just needed to give myself permission to not do it this month… and so yes… probably it will take rereading a LOT to get it done… I HAVE made notes about what I plan to have happened. And I have done sprints through this whole book–I adore writing sprints.
I find a brief re-read of maybe the previous few pages is great for getting me back into the flow after a break. That and listening to the music I’ve selected as my playlist for the book.
I especially love the last tip. It’s what diet experts say, too. If you mess up and go on a binge one day, don’t starve yourself the next day. Just go back to your regular eating habits as if the binge never happened — it’s less discouraging. Another great post!
When I’ve been out of a story for a long time, I will go further than just re-reading. I find that sometimes it helps to actually retype it.
Of course, that’s not a good solution if you are dealing with time constraints.
Otherwise all of your suggestions have worked for me — but most especially the warning not to overwhelm yourself by trying to catch up.
I usually go back and edit. Puts me back in the flow.
I do go back and re-read the previous pages I left off on and that is a time waste. Thanks for pointing that out. And leave the editor hat off too.
Elizabeth’s blog post is just what I needed to hear. Apparently, this is a message many of us needed today! (Except for the anonymous commenter who has issue with American Women. I’m afraid there’s no helping him today.) Thanks for the encouragement!
Thanks so much for coming by everyone! Sorry I’ve not been able to comment–it’s that life getting in the way stuff this week! Thanks so much for visiting and for your comments (well, except for the spam comment, but it’s duly deleted) :)
I like what you said about just meeting “today’s goal” and not trying to play catch-up. That’s a more positive way of looking at it.
I like to have my character write me a letter–seems to help me get back into her head and get the words flowing again…:-)
Usually it calls me back despite myself. But I’ve also gone back and read the first book over again so I don’t forget where these characters came from and where I still need to take them. But reading a new book, a different genre has always inspired me to get back to work.
Hi Elizabeth,
excellent tips! I’m constantly scribbling notes on pieces of paper when thoughts about the next scene, etc. hit me. Then I guess I sort of absorb them by osmosis (the same way I used any notes I had when writing non-fiction). I don’t have a word or page deadline– more like a scene or, if it’s a long scene/chapter, part of the scene. I try to work five afternoons a week. It’s a job, right?
Sandy Gardner
sgardner2@hvc.rr.com
Great advice, Elizabeth! Thanks for the reinforcement. I, too, reread to find where I left off and get the mood again, but unfortunately I’m then tempted to start revising that section. Forging ahead and not looking back is the best way to me. Especially when your writing time is limited (and whose isn’t?)