My goal is to finish this wip by the end of the month so that I can go on to work on another book for a couple months while this one stews and gets ripped to shreds by my crit group. I'm down to the wire now, there's only five nights left (because I write at night and the day isn't over until I've gone to sleep), and I'm pretty sure I'm gonna need to crank out about 5K a night to get this all wrapped up. That's 25K words in less than a week all while keeping up with my normal life. (See here if you have questions on what that looks like.)And the words don't want to come. I know what I want to write. I know what happens. But it is like fighting tooth and nail to get them into this wip. It's like the characters don't want to know what happen to them, so they're keeping me from spilling the beans!
Ever been in this sitch? Any advice? I need all I can get under this (self-imposed) deadline!
13 comments:
Um yeah. In that same boat right now. It's like the pressure is too intense or something.
I know my plot. I know what happens. Why can't I write?
If you figure it out, let me know! :)
I feel your pain. I'm doing the same thing right now. It involves a lot of hair pulling, pacing, and a few whimpers. Some days the words flow, other days I have to drag them from my gullet.
@Tiffany: This is definitely a conundrum. I'm thinking these characters just don't want to be ignored, so if the story doesn't ever end, they'll always be in my head.
@Leisha: Does the hair pulling and pacing work? At this point, I'm willing to try ANYTHING!
I feel for you. I don't work well in those situations. Sometimes I take to writing like this:
and then he goes and convinces her she's in love with him... I'm not sure how this happens.
And then I move on. I'm much better at inserting scenes after I type "the end". Of course, that might not help when you also need to fill in the scenes over the next few days...
Good luck! You can do it!
Ugh, I hesitate at the end too...maybe the word count goal of 5000 is too intense? Sometimes, picking a smaller goal and reaching/surpassing it helps build confidence so you get the momentum going and reach your original goal anyway??
Good luck!
When the words don't want to come, I take a walk and go back to it later, or I just give it some time and don't force it. Sometimes a glass of wine helps :)
No advice, because I never do well when I impose an overwhelming deadline on myself like 5k/night. It never works for me and my creativity shuts down.
But if you figure it out, Windy, I would love to hear YOUR advice! :o)
@Brodi: I'm thinking that's how the rest of this book is going to go. "And then she said ... but then he went ... and they were all, like ... "
@lbdiamond: I've been procrastinating, which leads to that sort of a word count goal. Though the final word count is a soft goal, I just want to finish the book. By the end of the week.
@Aubrie: I'm thinking maybe if I take a glass of wine on a walk with me? Maybe?
Windy, when you find out, pass your info my way. I'm trying to get that stinkin' book revised. It's driving me crazy. =)
Lately, I have this problem every day. I extended my deadline into August because I realized that my characters were mad because I was pressuring them.
However, I have just broken through a wall, thank you very much. And am back to work.
Um, my word fount has been dry for a couple weeks now. High stress and writing do not go hand in hand for me. Hopefully, I can find my Zen and get back to work.
Keep at it, Windy! And if you don't hit your goal, don't be hard on yourself!! You ROCKED this MS. Period.
I've definitely been there. This might sound unhelpful, but I usually go and get myself a cup of tea, then give it another go. Sometimes a small break helps.
Oh, wow! That's quite the deadline! There's no way I could ever write that fast! I've got to hand it to you - you're amazing!
Yes, I've had times when my characters keep things from me like that, when it's so difficult to get it all out. Sometimes I just have to stop and wait for it all to come, but it doesn't sound like you have that luxury. Take small breaks and pound away as best you can!
Good luck!
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