I started two or three different stories and really got to grips with them last year I even managed about ten chapters in one of them. But I had a few months away from writing them due to other commitments and now I find it exceptionally hard to get back into it, I even thought about just deleting the lot and giving it up. I don't want to but how can I get my mojo back? Help!
Hi Elsie. I have spent six years writting my first novel and often, as you have done, would leave the project hanging. So when I would feel the drive to continue writting it turned in to a nightmare of trying to find my story again. The first time suffering this writers block I again done exactly what you did and started writting other stories(note:not a bad thing to do-keeps your creative mind active). However, what I discovered best helped me to keep my focus on a single project was music. With a specific genre of music-or emotion- in mind I could visualise the actions and character play. Letting my mind clear and allowing the story to play out in my imagination the music done the rest( large playlist is advised). Writting is not just about tapping the letter keys but developing a vision.The old A,B,C.
And don't allow yourself to believe time is an enemy. It is often said that everyone has at least one book in them it just takes a while to get it on to paper. Do not fret, keep positive and finnish a first draft no matter how bad it is.Then you can start to work properly on your final vision.
I hope this has helped
Dean
(aka jason Farmer)
Hi, Elsie!
Deleting your work is a baaaaaaad idea. So you've hit a slump. It's probably happened to every writer worth their beans at some point or other.
Back in the good old days when novels were typed out with carbon copies, an argument could be made for throwing out a stack of paper that was just taking up space in the guest room.. But how much space does your work take on a computer? Even back-up copies on 3 pen-drives shouldn't make housekeeping any more difficult. The only reason to erase it would be if you were to re-read it and realise that it's embarrassingly bad.
Lorraine and Melanie have both given good advice. Read what you've already written. Become friends with your work again.
If that doesn't work, lay it aside and start another project, whether writing something completely different or tunneling into your neighbours' wine cellar. 10 will get you 20 that you'll be woken in the middle of some dark night with your original work crying out the next sentence.
Perhaps my 2 favourite comments EVER on this site came from the brilliant Kate Baxter, in reply to the question: "What do you say when people ask you what you're writing at the moment?"
Kate (A#1): Words.
Kate (A#2): On a good day, sentences.
Hi Elsie. I have recently been through a similar thing, so I totally understand. My manuscript was going brilliantly until the summer holidays when my 3 children were not at school/ playgroup for 7 weeks and I didn't get a thing done the whole time. Then, in September, I was so excited to have my couple of days a week to myself to concentrate on my writing again, but I just could not get into it at all, I found any old excuse to avoid doing it and I barely wrote a word in 2 months. I decided that I was taking it all too seriously, putting too much pressure on myself to do it, trying to force myself back into it, basically taking the fun away from what was previously a hobby that I loved.
I wasn't sufficiently in 'the zone' to write new material, but I did exactly as Lorraine suggested and started reading through my story, from the beginning, making notes as I went and basically reminding myself that what I had already done was pretty good and worthwhile continuing. I also starting a spreadsheet detailing each scene/chapter (ie page number, word count, what characters are in involved, key info from the scene, specific tie-ins with other scenes etc) which, although this didn't help with my word count, at least I was doing something productive that would help me keep track of things and improve flow and consistency as the manuscript progresses.
I also started a spreadsheet detailing every single character (even the most minor ones) summarising all their character traits, physical descriptions, their life history, even their favourite meal so that I now know all there is to know about each and every person, hopefully therefore I will now be able to write about them more convincingly. Just remember, there is no real rush, no deadlines, so there is absolutely no need to put pressure on yourself.
I'm pleased to say that I have found my mojo again, (I say this, although this morning I have walked the dog, made some soup for tea and done some online Christmas shopping - no manuscript progression at all! I will be commencing with it as soon as I have finished this post...) but if there are days that I don't feel that my manuscript is getting anywhere, instead, rather than getting frustrated, I just read books that are in the genre that I am hoping to succeed in - no need to feel guilty as it is all good research.
I hope that your mojo comes back soon. But definitely, don't delete!!
Mel