Question: Did I write?Failed writing sessions, a dog with opinions, a boat that won’t cooperate & the creeping realisation that grief still lingers. Spoiler: the book isn’t writing itself.
oh I feel ya! I started (seriously) working on writing my book around last September. the first months were tough and there was a lot of procrastination. Now though I finally feel like I've got a rhythm and I can sit down and very easily get into it. Took me almost 6 months to get to that point though! What worked for me: either doing it really early in the day (yes, 5am) or late in the evening (8pm) when my brain is tired; definitely not turning on your phone or emails before you start writing - just sit down and open word or whatever writing programme you use. I also found having a good outline and scene list very helpful. Now when I sit down to write I can just pick a scene and start writing on that particular scene. Anyway, all of this may or may not be helpful for you - what I'm trying to say is, keep going, you will find something that works for you.
Thank you Sophie...I think one of my problems is lack of direction. It might be time to get out a big piece of paper and roughly map out the story and any key things that need to be included. I really like the idea of having a scene list. How's it going?
Thank you so much for writing this, it's much more inspiring than some smug 'up-at-5am-in-white-pyjamas-doing-yoga-with-green-juice' type of post. Your writing style's so engaging, I can't wait to read your book.
Days of the week are just labels that people once needed in a previous lifetime. On a wild isle the only measure of time (if that is necessary) is sunlight. Other elements, such as wind and rain, help to decide what to do when.
Writing is a physical act. Thinking and speaking are more natural and intuitive. Authentic. Not driven by an end result. What would happen if you captured your spoken word instead?
I wish I didn’t have to follow the days but work has me at my desk most weekday mornings which is why I’d like to sneak in a little bit of writing first thing if I can.
I live the idea of capturing the spoken, I do a lot of my thinking when I’m out & I sometimes take it down but mostly I don’t & then forget about it as soon as I get home! I’ll try it this week 🧡
Anniversaries are tough. It’s ok to just do what you need to do. But then you get back on it and keep plugging away at your writing - because even if you do it for you and never show anyone else - you know you want to get it out of your head and onto the page. Don’t give up - you got this 💪🏻
I can totally relate to anniversaries and grief Hannah. The week building up to my dad’s anniversary is a bitch, you think you have it under control and it just comes out of nowhere. It’s been ten years now and it’s probably the hardest week of the year even all these years later. 😞
Exactly that, although why we kid ourselves that it’s going to be ok this time I’ve no idea! And yes the build up and anticipation is so bad, often worse than the day itself. 💚
I’m trying (not always successfully!) to cultivate a mindset of being pleased with myself for what I *have* done rather than beating myself up for what I haven’t. Every day of working on the book (which also includes thinking about it, reading / editing not just writing) gets you closer to the end. Cheering you on. And sending love - anniversaries are really difficult and having them both so close sounds doubly so. Go easy on yourself 😘
Many a good intention founders on the rocks of reality. Don’t beat yourself up about missing deadlines that were self-imposed when life threw so many curved balls at you this week. I find thinking time can be just as productive as time spent actually writing. The dough of your idea is leavening in your brain.
Don't be so hard on yourself. It will come when it's ready.
oh I feel ya! I started (seriously) working on writing my book around last September. the first months were tough and there was a lot of procrastination. Now though I finally feel like I've got a rhythm and I can sit down and very easily get into it. Took me almost 6 months to get to that point though! What worked for me: either doing it really early in the day (yes, 5am) or late in the evening (8pm) when my brain is tired; definitely not turning on your phone or emails before you start writing - just sit down and open word or whatever writing programme you use. I also found having a good outline and scene list very helpful. Now when I sit down to write I can just pick a scene and start writing on that particular scene. Anyway, all of this may or may not be helpful for you - what I'm trying to say is, keep going, you will find something that works for you.
Thank you Sophie...I think one of my problems is lack of direction. It might be time to get out a big piece of paper and roughly map out the story and any key things that need to be included. I really like the idea of having a scene list. How's it going?
Thank you so much for writing this, it's much more inspiring than some smug 'up-at-5am-in-white-pyjamas-doing-yoga-with-green-juice' type of post. Your writing style's so engaging, I can't wait to read your book.
Thank you so much Helen, trying to make progress!
Two thoughts …
Days of the week are just labels that people once needed in a previous lifetime. On a wild isle the only measure of time (if that is necessary) is sunlight. Other elements, such as wind and rain, help to decide what to do when.
Writing is a physical act. Thinking and speaking are more natural and intuitive. Authentic. Not driven by an end result. What would happen if you captured your spoken word instead?
I wish I didn’t have to follow the days but work has me at my desk most weekday mornings which is why I’d like to sneak in a little bit of writing first thing if I can.
I live the idea of capturing the spoken, I do a lot of my thinking when I’m out & I sometimes take it down but mostly I don’t & then forget about it as soon as I get home! I’ll try it this week 🧡
You'll get there, you are at least writing a post about the book! And sending hugs for grief anniversaries, I know exactly what you mean. X
Thank you Rachel - I suppose it’s a start! 💚
Anniversaries are tough. It’s ok to just do what you need to do. But then you get back on it and keep plugging away at your writing - because even if you do it for you and never show anyone else - you know you want to get it out of your head and onto the page. Don’t give up - you got this 💪🏻
Absolutely - it’s screaming to get out, I need to let it go!! Thank you 🧡
I can totally relate to anniversaries and grief Hannah. The week building up to my dad’s anniversary is a bitch, you think you have it under control and it just comes out of nowhere. It’s been ten years now and it’s probably the hardest week of the year even all these years later. 😞
Exactly that, although why we kid ourselves that it’s going to be ok this time I’ve no idea! And yes the build up and anticipation is so bad, often worse than the day itself. 💚
I’m trying (not always successfully!) to cultivate a mindset of being pleased with myself for what I *have* done rather than beating myself up for what I haven’t. Every day of working on the book (which also includes thinking about it, reading / editing not just writing) gets you closer to the end. Cheering you on. And sending love - anniversaries are really difficult and having them both so close sounds doubly so. Go easy on yourself 😘
That’s so true, we should celebrate the wins & ta-das no matter how small they may seem, it all moves us forward. Thank you for your kind words 🧡
Many a good intention founders on the rocks of reality. Don’t beat yourself up about missing deadlines that were self-imposed when life threw so many curved balls at you this week. I find thinking time can be just as productive as time spent actually writing. The dough of your idea is leavening in your brain.
Thanks Allie, I feel like once I get going it will flow more which is why I really wanted this to work. I wonder if a week off could be better …
On the plus side you are very lucky to already have the vague outline of the book in your head, fighting to get out!
You’re one step ahead of me! 👏👏👏
That’s very true and something definitely grateful for - I always wanted to write a novel but never had an idea until a couple of years ago!