I’m one of those writers who doggedly writes each day, no matter what.
Frequently? I’m not inspired.
I think that’s the dirty little secret of a lot of writers. We may get ideas. We may implement those ideas. But we may not be flying through books on waves of inspiration.
I do write every day. But I really have to write every day so I won’t fall behind on my deadlines. Plus, if I skip even one day, going back later is even tougher. It’s like a muscle that needs to be exercised daily or else it just doesn’t work as well.
Even on days where I know I’m writing stuff that’s definitely not going to make it into the final cut, I mush on.
But there is one area I do better in when I’m not feeling creative.
Making lists:
I don’t like outlines, but I really like making lists. I’ve got a program, Microsoft’s One Note that came with my Office 2007. I like the software because I can make a “notebook” named after my book title, then create a bunch of “pages” to go in that notebook. So it looks sort of like this:
Actually, it looks exactly like that because I did a capture picture of the screen. Although I do really like the software, you can do the same thing in a regular notebook with dividers.
On days where I seem to be creatively-challenged, I’ve found that I’m particularly good at making lists or at writing short bits that can be woven in later.
So I might make a list of the characters and what they look like.
I might jot down ideas for upcoming scenes.
I might make a list of things I need to research—this could be as simple as going to a name-generator site and picking out some good last names, or it could be more complicated—learning more information about police procedure in particular crimes.
I’ll make lists of favorite Southern foods for the Memphis series—along with ideas for where to include them.
Things to fix—that’s a fun one. I don’t stop and fix things that are wrong as I go—I’ll either highlight the problem with Word’s “highlighter,” or I’ll jot down a note in this section as to what needs correcting.
Short Sniping Snippets? That’s very specific to Memphis BBQ book 2 that I’m currently writing, so I guess I shouldn’t elaborate too much on that. :)
I can even do brain dumps to come up with possible subplots, clues, red herrings, short segments to develop particular characters, etc…those things seem to somehow come easier when I’m feeling more left-brained than usual.
If I make a lot of these planning lists? The writing goes a lot smoother the next day. It can even re-energize my creativity.
What do you do when you’re not inspired?
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Pop over to the Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen for a guest post by my fellow Midnight Inker, Lisa Bork (For Better, For Murder.)
Lists are great. I love lists.
Very often, though, I’ll just do one sentence. And then another sentence.
The other thing I do is to just start describing something. I am not a very descriptive writer, but if I’m not “in the scene” I can get myself there by describing something.
Elizabeth – Lists really can be helpful. I use them, too. When I’m not inspired, but I need to write, I try to do other things related to the WIP. For instance, I work on character names, or I think about cover design, or I look through other books to see how other authors handle whatever situation I’m writing about. Anything to move the WIP along..
What helpful advice! I’m feeling around for my next story idea and I think this list concept will take me far. Or at least, far enough to get me started. Thank you!
This is so great! I love making lists, I have a sort of notebook, but this is even better!
I love the idea of doing list when you can’t seem to do what you want to be doing. This allows your mind to relax and the creativity will come back. Great post.
If I am uninspired to write I usually read or also make lists. Of course I am the queen list maker.
I am buying a new laptop and I can’t wait to get 2007 so I can use One Note.
Thanks Elizabeth.
Great advice! Thank you for sharing. I have notebook on my laptop but not my main computer that I use for my book writing. I’ve been using my Ereader like a notebook for when I’m out about.
Really good point that quite often you can choose to do something else that is related to writing.
As I teach for a living, I have another strategy. When I am too tired or unconcentrated to write fiction, I try to get some preparation done, or I write some extra blog posts so that when I am ready to write flash or novel again, I have more time to do so.
When I am uninspired sometimes I just try to push thru and write. Other times I will do “list like” activities that will hopefully help down the line. Lately, I’ve had more than one project going so when I am feeling uninspired or stuck with one, I pick up the other.
But some days I just have to sit and think thru where a story is going.
What a great program! I have it, but haven’t looked at it. Now I know how I’ll be spending the rest of the afternoon :) Thanks!
I’ve tried to use Onenote so many times, without success. Me = not an organizer. *shrugs*
I wonder if it’s time to revisit it, since now I’m working on a novel instead of just flash or short stories. Hmm…
The list idea is pretty creative!
I write everyday for the same reasons you do. When I’m inspired, 1000 words a day is an hours work but when it isn’t it can take hours…
Great ideas here.
ann
Never did a check list, but then I am big on outlines. When I’m not feeling inspired, I go back and edit what I’ve already written or skip ahead to a more exciting scene. That’s usually all it takes to charge my creative batteries again!
usually if I’m not inspired it is because there is nothing happening in the novel that calls forth my inspiration. It is like I am a red cross worker at a health spa. Things are too good so I need to shake it up a bit. I like lists but I don’t trust them for me. I think more in a mind map way so that I can make connections between what seems like points on a list that aren’t connected. Do you follow? So I do mind maps…but not on the computer because they are boring to me but by hand with drawings etc… I’ll take a pic of one soon and put it on my site.
Like you, I always make a note of ideas when they come and file them away for future use.
When I’m not inspired? I read supportive and inspiring blogs like yours. :)
~Cleo
I make lists or plans for things I may or may not write. I create characters who may eventaully convince me I should write their story down.
Thanks for sharing this post.
Excellent advice!!!
Faith–It’s less of a commitment than a outline and can really help with story sparking. Hope it helps!
The Daring Novelist–That sounds like a good way to get back into the writing groove. I hate writing poorly, and I know that there are some days when that’s happening–but I know I’ll fix it later. I just mush on!
Margot–Character names can be a time consuming diversion for me, so doing that work on a day when I’m not being creative seems to work out really well.
Jarmara–It’s nice to have something mobile like that. When I’m on the go, I’m just a pen and paper girl (no smart phone.) Unless I’ve got my laptop with me (which is happening more and more often).
Simon–If you’ve got the software anyway, may as well give it a go when you have nothing else to do (like that’ll ever happen!)
Judy–Hope it helps.
Mason–It definitely keeps the panic at bay to get work done…no matter how it’s done.
Alex–Thanks! :)
Ann–I figure that between the days the words go flying up on the screen and the days when the words get dragged up there kicking and screaming, that it all balances out. :)
Teresa–You and I both love our lists! Hope you enjoy One Note.
Diane–Working on the outline is a great idea!
Jan–So the same kind of an idea, but a visual aid? I’ve done some online mindmaps before like FreeMind, but haven’t gotten too far with it. I’ll look forward to seeing yours!
Cleo–You’re so sweet! Thanks for dropping by. I bet you’re inspired most of the time.
Jen–Thanks!
Dorte–Writing blog posts is a great idea. Puts you ahead, good writing practice, and you get something accomplished. Can’t beat that!
Paul–That’s a good thing to do, too…work on a different project. Right now I have just the one because I’m waiting on revision requests for the other one.
Jemi–Hope you enjoy it! It’s a pretty user-friendly little program…think it has a built-in tutorial, but it’s one of those things you can kind of look at and figure out.
Very practical advice. I’ve never actually tried lists, but I can appreciate trying something new.
Thanks for the tips!
Lists are helpful and that list is excellent for your genre, too, I would think. When I’m uninspired I will still write, just for the discipline, but not for as long or as many words. I’ll stop and do some blog-hopping, maybe do some research, read another author’s book, sometimes I’ll just bag all things literary and go for a walk or to the movies. Shake up the routine – often that helps rejuvenate my muse.
Marvin D Wilson
I’ve been wondering what to do with that One Note program on my computer.
I love lists too. I can’t remember anything without them, and I’m really stuck when I lose the list (as often happens).
When not inspired, I might do some blog browsing and find great ideas like yours and your commenters’ that boost me into doing something worthwhile. Sometimes they give me an excuse to procrastinate a bit more…like checking out Onenote.
What great tips. When I’m not inspired, I write anyway. Sometimes I skip ahead to a section that feels funner, but usually, I just push through it. Sometimes I’ll switch creative venues and draw a character sketch. It’s a great way to get me ready to write.
Hi Elizabeth,
First I’ve got to ask you where you found that amazing painting that’s next to your profile pic? How do I upload those neat pics? On another note, I thought that by the third book, I’d no longer be slogging through the writing each day. Guess again. Now I write two to three times a week for 4 to 5 hours — with lots of breaks! On those in-between days, when I’m working at my full-time career, I daydream about the “scene” I’ll be writing the next day. Which characters will be sharing a conversation? What information needs to be imparted in that scene, Where will the scene take place? Then, when I sit down to write the next day, I have a goal for that three pages of writing. “3” seems to be my lucky number — all I can manage in one sitting. How ’bout you?
I usually make notes, as well, but not on my computer. I like your idea, though, and am going to give it a try.
Helen
Straight From Hel
I’m such a slug. I don’t necessarily write every day, and I still have notes all over the house where I scribble things down as I think of them. I’m trying to change my ways, but I keep backsliding. Being inspired never seems to be an issue, though. Once I o sit down and put my fingers on the keys, writing happens.
Marvin–I like movies, too–sometimes seeing someone else’s creativity in a really vivid way can help spur mine!
Cassandra–I have a little group of characters who are unemployed now, too! Maybe the next book they’ll play a role.
Kathy–I do the same thing. :) And procrastination can also be filed under “research” sometimes–or at least, I like to think it can be filed that way!
Helen–Hope it helps!
I’ve been writing daily too – and rarely feeling inspired!
I do love lists, but I find when I’m uninspired I just write a sentence (any sentence) and try to compose something from it. I’m not an outline thinker; ideas seem to come as the story is unfolding. So I pretty much have to write (anything) to get to where I feel inspired.
Corra
from the desk of a writer
Corra–That’s me, too–blathering on! But on the side, with the lists, I feel like I’m getting something positive accomplished for the book, even if I’ve written something really stinky that day.
Tamika–Sometimes shaking it up a little can really help things out.
Lorel–I’m a fellow list-loser! :) One Note is helpful, since it’s harder to lose the laptop!
Tara–I like skipping ahead, too. Great idea.
Jennie–Thanks! Most of the artwork on my blog comes from the Unknown Artists blog: http://artinconnu.blogspot.com/. A few come from other links (that are, actually, linked on that blog’s blogroll.
I might go a little nuts if I had to write for 4-5 hours! :) I’d say that ordinarily I’m writing 2 or fewer hours a day–aiming for 7-8 pages. But I’m in a hurry right now…I have an April 1 deadline and want to give myself plenty of time to revise.
Patricia–I have the Post It Note Everywhere disease, too! I have to go through the house every day and gather them up..from the car, too. :) When the ideas come, it’s great!
I love making lists, too, which help focus not only the task at hand, but the multiple writing tasks I have to do in a day. As a working freelance writer in addition to creative, lists are my friend!