tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post9039735913598222032..comments2024-03-29T03:03:52.813-06:00Comments on Blood-Red Pencil: When Your Story Takes a Vacation - 5 Ways to CopeDanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-92212761730805811402013-11-16T11:09:38.850-07:002013-11-16T11:09:38.850-07:00These are great suggestions! I've used some of...These are great suggestions! I've used some of these myself, and it's great when the words start flowing again. :)Carol Riggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14092209912983783974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-26161201265191698072013-11-13T12:22:15.419-07:002013-11-13T12:22:15.419-07:00All great suggestions, Shon. Might I also suggest ...All great suggestions, Shon. Might I also suggest that editing someone else's manuscript can be an incentive to get back to one's own?Linda Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16056682992943171805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-89609405352104230672013-11-13T08:03:17.369-07:002013-11-13T08:03:17.369-07:00My story is taking a vacation, mainly because I ca...My story is taking a vacation, mainly because I can't seem to concentrate when my house is in chaos, with painting, carpeting, and long overdue fix-ups happening!<br /><br />Morgan MandelMorgan Mandelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-9207056009091662302013-11-12T14:26:52.407-07:002013-11-12T14:26:52.407-07:00I have a bunch of practical ideas for when you get...I have a bunch of practical ideas for when you get stuck not mentioned here—will write a post with them and link back to this one! Great topic, Shon. Of the options you listed here, I'm a huge fan of asking my characters what the problem is and how to solve it, journaling in their voices, then walking to stir the creative juices.Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-39457260275164342982013-11-11T17:28:09.997-07:002013-11-11T17:28:09.997-07:00I added a photo because that exercise in nature op...I added a photo because that exercise in nature option just hit it for me. Also I'm still using those Leslie Sansone YouTube videos you mentioned - when it's too windy and cold outside. Danihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-12237365241747493722013-11-11T14:24:26.785-07:002013-11-11T14:24:26.785-07:00hahaha. More than welcome, Chris! LOLhahaha. More than welcome, Chris! LOLShonell Baconhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04827197354857197637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-68335714852175040282013-11-11T14:19:52.021-07:002013-11-11T14:19:52.021-07:00'My story is on vacation' sounds soooo muc...'My story is on vacation' sounds soooo much better than 'I'm too lazy to write' ... thank you Shon!Christopher Hudsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03667548312923348614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-23511256762288148102013-11-11T14:09:12.067-07:002013-11-11T14:09:12.067-07:00Now that's true about the resolutely *not* thi...Now that's true about the resolutely *not* thinking about it.Shonell Baconhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04827197354857197637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-24734790251152281742013-11-11T14:08:35.485-07:002013-11-11T14:08:35.485-07:00Thanks, Heidi! Getting outside is definitely one t...Thanks, Heidi! Getting outside is definitely one that I enjoyed. I always find myself smiling and taking in EVERYTHING, and it helps.Shonell Baconhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04827197354857197637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-63195687018256980692013-11-11T14:07:37.001-07:002013-11-11T14:07:37.001-07:00I'm surprised I didn't mention cleaning be...I'm surprised I didn't mention cleaning because that is SO one that I do when I need a break. Often get some good ideas while doing it, too!Shonell Baconhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04827197354857197637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-50102495601908740962013-11-11T13:34:50.421-07:002013-11-11T13:34:50.421-07:00Cleaning - especially washing the dishes sometimes...Cleaning - especially washing the dishes sometimes helps! I always think of Agatha Christie plotting murder while she's up to her elbows in suds. :D<br />Danihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-85944992134137300442013-11-11T13:33:23.424-07:002013-11-11T13:33:23.424-07:00I either exercise (walking is especially good) or ...I either exercise (walking is especially good) or doing something else creative as you suggest. Knitting, drawing, anything that gets me into a "zone" that's not so conscious. (I don't mean getting plastered and passing out!) You didn't mention meditation, but for those who practice it, that kind of time-out is very helpful too. Good post, Shon. Danihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-22521365371420571082013-11-11T12:08:33.198-07:002013-11-11T12:08:33.198-07:00I walk. I've also got into the car and drove. ...I walk. I've also got into the car and drove. Either method works for me, although the former is better for the environment! I've also found resolutely *not* thinking about it forces the solution to pop into my head. When my writing takes a vacation it usually means I've lost my map.Elspeth Futcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10330102545384369360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-33463602602986739352013-11-11T11:54:06.776-07:002013-11-11T11:54:06.776-07:00All great advice. We all have to find what works f...All great advice. We all have to find what works for us, and sometimes different things work at different times. Often, for me, it's getting outside and taking a walk or going to sit and drink in nature. Sometimes it's writing out of sequence--skip to a scene ahead of the one you're stuck on.Heidiwriterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02593338979995203659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-545038270549328732013-11-11T11:38:44.083-07:002013-11-11T11:38:44.083-07:00Those are great suggestions, Marilynn!Those are great suggestions, Marilynn!Shonell Baconhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04827197354857197637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-72032635692210142272013-11-11T11:35:24.256-07:002013-11-11T11:35:24.256-07:00A full stop in your writing often means that your ...A full stop in your writing often means that your subconscious knows that you've made a misstep and until you figure out what it is you'll not be able to move forward.<br /><br />I look at my original notes to see if I've strayed from my vision of the novel or the structure.<br /><br />I also will start at the beginning and read until the stalled point to spot problems and rebuild my momentum.Marilynn Byerlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16720129999636676998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-67719604070362357292013-11-11T11:27:02.049-07:002013-11-11T11:27:02.049-07:00Thanks for the comments, Maryann. I feel the same ...Thanks for the comments, Maryann. I feel the same way about reading. It often sparks me with new ideas and thoughts that put me back onto the writing lane.Shonell Baconhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04827197354857197637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-65347956120738973772013-11-11T10:41:00.633-07:002013-11-11T10:41:00.633-07:00What a terrific post and just what I needed as I s...What a terrific post and just what I needed as I struggle with creative writing just now. I do love the thought of releasing "creative endorphins" by reading. That is what I have always felt when reading a really well-written book.Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-37657852942468814742013-11-11T09:57:50.411-07:002013-11-11T09:57:50.411-07:00Reading your comments, Diana, made me think about ...Reading your comments, Diana, made me think about the whole losing keys scenario where you look all over the place for them, going insane when you can't find them and the minute you take a breath and stop being frantic, you find them: right in front of your face. I think that's important: taking a breath, not being frantic, focusing on something else, and being surprised at how fast the characters and story can come back to you.Shonell Baconhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04827197354857197637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-66856716564299514022013-11-11T09:55:42.427-07:002013-11-11T09:55:42.427-07:00Those are good suggestions, too, Terry. If you'...Those are good suggestions, too, Terry. If you're doing something writerly, it's OK. I like that.Shonell Baconhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04827197354857197637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-48971460684607033192013-11-11T09:54:55.409-07:002013-11-11T09:54:55.409-07:00Thanks for the comments, Lorelei. You are right ab...Thanks for the comments, Lorelei. You are right about working to not let it bug you when the dry spell comes. I've had writer friends who allowed these dry spells to drive them crazy.Shonell Baconhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04827197354857197637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-92018193850240320682013-11-11T08:07:39.357-07:002013-11-11T08:07:39.357-07:00I find that reading a really good book inspires me...I find that reading a really good book inspires me to keep writing. I also make jewelry or do other craft projects to get the creative mojo back. Sometimes you just need a little distance. It's really hard to unplug and just be alone with your thoughts these days, but that is where inspiration usually strikes for me: while driving in the car, sitting in a waiting room, taking a bath. The characters are usually hovering nearby ready to make an appearance when you give them a chance to be heard.Diana Hurwitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-85135843197646063792013-11-11T07:44:03.703-07:002013-11-11T07:44:03.703-07:00I tell myself there are so many other 'tasks&#...I tell myself there are so many other 'tasks' that are part of the writing business, as long as I'm doing something writerly, it's OK. Write a blog post. Do a critique for a partner. Go back and fill in all the placeholders in the WIP. Research something you'll need for the book.<br /><br /> Terry <br /><a href="http://terryodell.com/terrysplace" rel="nofollow">Terry's Place</a><br /><br />Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-31026354771297092982013-11-11T04:56:07.714-07:002013-11-11T04:56:07.714-07:00All good suggestions,Shon. I agree with you on the...All good suggestions,Shon. I agree with you on the idea of writing through a dry spell. A lot of times I have a chapter beyond where I am in the story and write that. If not, I'll go on to something else. I've taken up crocheting again, for something to relax my mind, and use my talents in a different way. <br />Poetry is another writing exercise that I like to go to when other things aren't working. <br />Time is really the cure. That and not letting it bug you when the dry spell comes on. It's telling you you do need a break of some sort.Lorelei Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03294047277447613989noreply@blogger.com