Okay, a hacking, unrelenting cough is not exactly a life-threatening disease, but it’s laid me up for a few days.  I haven’t done any writing, including the articles I owe Mary (sorry) and preparing for this weekend’s writers meeting.  But, in the middle of the night, while trying to sleep sitting up, I thought of a few things I could do to keep my finger in the writing pie.

The secret to writing while ill is to not have high expectations.  Thoughts are not going to stay for any length of time and disorganization is the rule.  But here are some things you can do to stay active.

• Research.  You’ve put off running down the facts you need.  Hopefully, you have a list and an idea of where to start looking.  Your attention span is low, so why not use the random click method of research?  I’ve found out more than I could have hoped by clicking on links that send me to other links that turn up a nugget of information I can utilize.
• Quick and dirty editing.  The mind on drugs (prescription not illegal) has a different perspective.  A quick read through of a section of your WIP might uncover a “huh?” or a “why did she do that?”.  Jot down your concern and revisit it when you’re more lucid.  Edit short sections to avoid drug induced glazed eyes (not because you’re an boring writer, we all know how talented you are.)
• Write off plot.  Put your two main characters in a scene outside of your book.  Pick a location and topic from a random book or today’s newspaper.  Write for 5 minutes (set a timer).  They may surprise you with new layers of motivation.
• Catch up on your reading.  If you’re like me, your TBR pile stretches throughout the house.  Some of these nuggets might not be worth reading despite the back cover blurb.  Open one up and start.  If it doesn’t keep your attention, move it to the donation pile.
• Collage or scrapbook your characters.  I have folders of pictures torn from magazines.  Males, females, couples, villains, and weird stuff that took my eye.  Get out a glue stick and sift through your materials.  Putting these elements together might spark a new plot point.
• Watch an old movie or TV show.  Every plot has been written, right?  By studying old scripts, a fresh new twist could jump out at you.

Or, you could do like I did today and sleep way too long then watch an old Julia Child show and Rachael Ray.

All in the name of research, of course.  Julia had the habit of tossing things on the floor. . .hey, that could be an interesting character quirk -

Bundle up, winter is on its way.

All the best,

Cheryl

No matter what season, the weather can be an awesome excuse not to write.  “It’s too hot.”  “It’s too cold.”  “It’s raining.” Etc.  As we enter the dog days of summer and the temperature and humidity levels rise (at least in the northern hemisphere), not expending the energy for writing sounds tempting.

Resist the urge to slack off.  Here are seven ways to beat the heat and jump start your creativity.

1. Enjoy nature.  Take a walk.  Get out at dawn or dusk, when the heat of the day has lessened and notice the small details you normally wouldn’t.  A black squirrel.  The movement of leaves in the wind.  The sharp tang of fresh-cut hay.  Empty your mind of distractions, and let nature do its relaxing mojo.  You’ll return to your writing with renewed energy and maybe an idea inspired by Mother Nature.
2. Exercise.  Same as above.  It doesn’t have to be hard, but a little light exercise will raise your endorphin levels and get your blood rushing to your brain faster, which can only mean NEW IDEAS.
3. Eat healthy.  Summer is the perfect time to visit your local farm market and load up on fresh produce.  What will make you feel better and think clearer – a greasy cheeseburger or a fresh salad?
4. Declutter.  Simplify your writing area.  That reference book you pulled out months ago and don’t need anymore?  Shelve it.  The myriad papers you’ve ripped from magazines?  File them.  Back-to-school sales are ramping up.  Take the opportunity to stock up on file folders.  Better yet, toss that article.  An uncluttered work area equals an uncluttered writing mind.
5. Listen to music.  Let yourself go.  Whether you sing or dance along, the joy of music can be relaxing and invigorating.
6. Give yourself permission to write crap.  Perfection does not come with the first draft.  Admit that what you’re writing is terrible.  With no expectations to begin with, there will less pressure, and the only surprises will be the pleasant ones when you discover that great phrase or the bridge between concept and reality.
7. Start.  Stagnation is dangerous.  Write whatever is on your mind, even if it isn’t related to your current work.  The subconscious is a tricky thing, and the process of writing can free up new ideas, uncover hidden path and unblock obstacles.

Try these steps to get your writing groove back.

Stay safe,

Cheryl

Usually around here, when we talk about motivation, we’re talking about your character’s motivation.   Today, we’re going to tackle your motivation.  Yes, you, great writing procrastinator (wait, is this an autobiography?)

I’m a big fan of delay, delay, delay.  There’s always one more thing to research, one elusive perfect word, one huge block of time missing (with my kids out of the house and an uber house-husband, I can not complain of not enough time.)

Here are some of the tricks I use to find and retain motivation for my current WIP.

1. Know your weaknesses.  For me, it’s the useless time suck of the internet (you, too?)  Solution?  Other than turning it off (so not an option) try finding a different medium.  Longhand – great for scribbling.  AlphaSmart – great for freewriting.  I can only see four lines at a time, so I’m discouraged to go back and re-read.  Of course, I could always pretend it’s 1993, the year before I had the internet.  Wow, has it been that long?
2. Be accountable.  In my writing group, we challenge each other monthly with writing goals.  Having the accountability of other writers is great motivation.
3. Keep track of your progress.  Tied into #2, if I promise 5K words, I’d better deliver.  Some writers keep track on an Excel spreadsheet and have daily goals.  It’s nice to look back and see how far you’ve come.
4. Reward yourself.  I’m a Leo.  We like to be stroked for any accomplishment.  Of course, there’s no greater reward than typing “The End” or signing your name to a contract, but a new purchase at Barnes & Noble or a pedicure is almost as good for reaching your daily/weekly/monthly goals.
5. Surround yourself with the best.  If you don’t belong to a critique or writing group, search for one nearby or online.  There’s nothing more motivating than the high you get after a meeting.  Your 20 page, or 5K or whatever goal doesn’t sound so insurmountable when a member with a full time job and four kids squeezed out 15K+ since the last meeting.
6. Kill your inner editor.  Easier said than done.  We all want the first draft to be publisher ready, but, come on, is that realistic?  Give yourself permission to write dreck.  Turn down the brightness of your computer screen, or do like I do and type with your eyes closed.  Typos can be fixed later.
7. Add dimension to your characters.  If it’s not you with the problem, it might be your characters (yeah, they lead a separate existence from you.)  Add depth, layers and color to them by making them more real.  Tear out pictures from magazines. Search the internet.  Make a CD of character centric songs.  As long as you use this exercise to improve your writing and not as a way to avoid it, you’re golden.

There you have it, Cheryl’s 100% money backed guarantee of writing motivations.  No deposit, no return.

Mary might make it here before Monday, she’s tied up with graduation hoo-ha (oh, those kids).

Stay safe.

Cheryl