Waiting for some writing action
This is my cat. She’s staring out the window, wondering when all the bird and wildlife action will start. This could be me, staring at my screen, wondering when all the writing action will start. My cat and I have just about the same philosophy on this waiting thing at the moment.
If you’ve met my cat (either of them, in fact) you’ll know that they’re pretty lazy. A lot of resting is involved in their lives, a bit of asking for cuddles and attention, and some eating. That’s about it. As far as action goes, they’re pretty passive about creating it. They just wait.
And the terrible thing is, that’s how my writing’s going at the moment. I have no idea what kind of magical event I’m waiting for, but since I had a great writing burst and got my novel revised and submitted, my fiction writing prowess has gone the way of, well, something that doesn’t exist anymore.
Ideas are still bobbing around in my head, and life is actually not so over-busy that I couldn’t fit in some extra fiction writing time, but it’s just not coming out. This is not writers’ block (I’m not convinced I believe in that yet), this is just fiction writer’s laziness. My current strategy is simply this: if I admit to the world (via this blog) that I’m being lazy about writing fiction at the moment, then I’ll be instantly shamed into starting again. I hope. I’m sure that the inspiration of the coming weekend’s writers festival will get the writing juices flowing too, but I’d like to kickstart them before that. So there you are, now I’m ashamed, and I’m going away to do some fiction writing. (Or cuddle the cat.)
I’m in the same boat — fiction writing laziness over the past couple weeks. I’m thinking about my stories, and planning what I want to do with them…but not actually doing any of it. Maybe if I join in your declaration, I’ll feel more accountable too…!
Zoe’s last blog post..Push Ahead With What You Have: A Video
Zoe, I hope it works for you, it hasn’t worked for me yet … I just re-read that I said I’d be “instantly shamed” into writing again but – well – I wasn’t. Maybe we need to look at it another way – all this internal thinking and planning is a necessary part of the process. Or are we just procrastinating? Anyway tell me when you get writing again. I hope it’s soon. (and for me too!)
Hi Amanda,
I’m guilty of not doing that much fiction too. I’ve still got a series to continue and some people waiting for the outcome. That keeps me going but if I can’t produce stellar work I’d rather not write at all. I’ve always found fiction writing harder but more enjoyable than writing nonfiction. It’s keeping those creative juices flowing that’s more daunting.
I’ll keep you posted, but no instant shame on my end either
— I’m planning to submit to a lit journal next week though, so I’ll have to edit one of my short stories, whether I like it or not!
Zoe’s last blog post..How to Meditate, or Why I’m Not a Complete Procrastinator
Gah, this “laziness” is a cyclical issue for me. Like, I’m strong on Mon/Tues, HORRIBLE on Wed, and mediocre on Thurs thru Sun. Siiiigh. I can’t wait ’til I’m strong EVERY DAY. Then I might give myself Wed as a break.
Kristan’s last blog post..[Twenty-Somewhere] Episode 20: The pixie, the potato, and the pub
Kristan, I’m jealous that you at least get a few virtually-guaranteed good writing days a week. Mine “laziness” is cyclical too but tends to be weeks at a time where I can’t get anything decent done, then a few weeks where I can … very frustrating!
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