Tuesday, December 7, 2010

In Which I Stage My Own Intervention

Lindsey... sit down.  We need to talk.

First, almost a year of blogging - woot!  You started this blog last January with the plan of writing your novel and documenting the journey.  You had good intentions, really.  You even started off strong, writing away on that shiny new idea at Tootsie Roll's hockey practices, hitting a road block in plot, working it out, doing lots of research.

And then.... well.... you got bogged down with research.  You got so involved with your idea that it no longer felt original.  You needed some space.  You got busy with The Real Job and spent the summer playing with your kids (which you absolutely do not regret). 

You got distracted by yet another shiny new idea.  Rookie mistake.  You see that now, I know.  I won't beat you up over it.  Keep it filed away for later.

And then school started again and you know how September is and then you joined a blogfest to blog every day in October, and while it was fun, your posts were really just filler to post something every day.  Probably not the best choice.  Then there was November, full of report cards and conferences and hosting Thanksgiving.  We know how November goes.  At least you wisely sidestepped NaNo this year (even though you missed the fun and camaraderie, I know).

Now it's December and we can look back on the year and observe a few things.  One, that novel is calling to you again, which is a good thing.  You are months removed and definitely have renewed interest.  Your characters are talking to you in the shower again, which can only be good.

So we need to come up with a plan.  Let's get real - this novel is not going to write itself.  It's ok to be forgiving at busy times of year, but it might be wise to set up a writing schedule and stick to it the best you can.  You need to try to be a little more consistent.  You need to take yourself somewhere quiet.  You need to stop trying to write on the computer, because as your blog title so presumptuously states, you work best when you're pressing a nib to paper.  Yes, you will have to type later, but you can revise while you type (and then revise again.  And again.), so it all works out.

Let's get serious.  You need to start reading those writing books that are set up all nicely on your writing desk (which, really, needs to stop being covered with lesson plans and the kids' school stuff and bills and paperwork).  I know you don't have a lot of reading time and that you like to use it to read that amazing YA TBR stack that keeps growing.  But news flash... those amazing authors only published their books after they wrote them.

I know you're feeling like your blog has been going nowhere lately, and that's ok.  We all have bloggy moments of meh.  But I promise, once you start writing again, you will have no end of things to discuss, characters to flesh out, frustrations to vent, AHA! moments to rejoice in.  I swear. :)

To be fair, this blog has been an amazing experience this year that has introduced you to an amazing, talented, supportive, thoughtful, creative bunch of writers, as well as incredibly useful information on craft, querying, agents, the road to publication, and any number of invaluable little tidbits.  You needed that and will continue to need it, but now you know where to find it.  You also need a Crit Partner... but one step at a time.  Once you have more writing done, this will be an excellent place to find one.  Or more.

So listen, Lindsey.  It's not all bad.  You have a foundation and a support system you never knew existed.  And you know where you need to go from here.  It's a pretty good place to be, actually.  Remember, I'm doing this with your best interest at heart.

Now go forth and write. :)

love,
Lindsey

23 comments:

Hannah said...

You will do it. You will. You will. You will.

I don't know when it finally clicked for me that I will write and finish a first draft this year. Definitely had a lot to do with all my blogger friends. And a little something to do with the Man and his self motivation, discipline, perseverence to his chosen path. But I don't really have any doubts now. Fears? Most def but no doubts.

I think you're there you just need to find your flow and everything will fall into place. Sometimes they'll fall on your head. Sometimes right in front of you.

go forth young Skywalker. Use the force.

Andrea Mack said...

If you make up your mind to get that novel written, you'll do it. With even just a little bit a day, you'll eventually get there. So, keep writing!

C. N. Nevets said...

Buckle down and kick it in the teeth, Lindsey!

Anne Gallagher said...

Just keep swimming. You can do it. It just takes a little bit of organization (Yeah, this from the clutter queen of the universe.)

Jennifer Shirk said...

I know what you mean. Sometimes I think I need a writing coach behind me whipping me into shape when I start to procrastinate. LOL

Ghenet Myrthil said...

I'm having the same pep talk with myself these days. It can be so hard to buckle down and write when you have a full-time job and other commitments but we just have to do it!

I'm sure once you get back into a groove, the rest of your book will pour out of you. Happy writing :)

vic caswell said...

and when you waver...
remember
WE ARE WATCHING YOU!
Mwhaha ha ha!!!!
:)
(you'll do great!)

Carol Riggs said...

Haha, your characters talking to you in the shower! I laugh because mine do too. And I love your "bloggy moments of meh." Great phrase. ;o) Also great pep talk for all of us to start/keep writing!

Jessica L. Brooks (coffeelvnmom) said...

This time of year always throws me off -- there's so much to do during the holidays! And I also have a huge stack of books to read. (And yet, I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say, we just keep buying them!)

Good luck. Looks like you know exactly what you want in 2012 -- you're on your way to a very productive year! =)

Jessica

Colene Murphy said...

Good luck! Get it done!!

Old Kitty said...

Listen to lovely Lindsey, lovely Lindsey!! She is wise and pragmatic and hopeful and practical and positive!!! She will help you with your writer-ly dream and get you to write that novel already!!!! :-)

Yay for Lindsey! take care
x

Kristin Rae said...

I love this :) My one year of blogging is coming up this Friday, and have I polished enough to query? Nope. I've completely changed the central theme of my story and hit a brick wall. Have I also started 2 other WIPs? Yes.

We can do it thought! 2011 will be our year!! :)

Talli Roland said...

What a very practical, determined-sounding pep talk! Of course you can do it, you just need to sit down in the chair and make the time. Sigh! If only it were so easy, I know. I fight with myself every day!

But us bloggers are here to help!

Kimberly Franklin said...

Your year basically sounds like mine. But a new year is on the horizon, and there's not better time for a fresh start on an old idea. We can do it! And if not... well... there's always next year. As long as you keep trying, one day you'll get there!

Misha Gerrick said...

Best of luck!

I know you can do it!

Unknown said...

Yay! Great intervention. You can write that novel. Be sure to enjoy the process of writing. It is so fun to come back to a WIP with a fresh energy and excitement about working on it.
Good Luck!

Tracy said...

Oh my gosh, are you sure I didn't write this? It certainly seems like it! I too feel like I am all over the place and lately, not fully present at school, at home, at blogging; just needing to get it done. I love writing on my blog, but not the expectations I set myself up to: write everyday, respond to EVERYONE's blog...UGH!
maybe I need to have a talk...

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

You can do it! Attack!

Jemi Fraser said...

Not bad at all. Not even a little bit! Real life does have a habit of getting in the way - it's supposed to. Enjoy it and your writing. It will all happen for you at the right time! :)

Abby Minard said...

Congrats on a whole year of blogging! You'll get back into the swing of things, and then the juices will flow! (besides spending time with the kids is way more important- something I need to remind myself of sometimes!)

dolorah said...

Good job Interventionist Lindsay.

We all have this talk with ourselves at some point in the journey. I've had several actually.

Takes me a long time to learn anything.

........dhole

Donea Lee said...

Ooo, can I steal this script and insert my name as needed? :) I have these moments. I procrastinate like none other (hello! self-proclaimed Queen of Procrastination here!)

But, you've made it through a year of blogging - amazing!! You've got several HUNDRED follows - another amazing! When you do sit down to hammer out that novel - it'll be great! Just wait - you'll see. :) It's all good!

Anonymous said...

I sometimes get stuck with reading when I should be writing.

I also think I should have done more writing this year, but I'm human and I have a day job.

This is a great reflection. Just keep writing. :)