WRITING BLUES

Posted by Pam Champagne, 02/21/08 03:00 PM

The weight of winter means more to me than the four feet of snow on my roof. I’m not writing, and I’ve decided to blame it on winter sitting on my shoulders. Simple writer’s block? I’m not sure. The ideas, scenes and characters churn in my head twenty-four/seven.

Unfortunately, every time I sit at the computer, I discover numerous other projects needing my immediate attention. Writing a blog I promised someone. Critiquing someone’s chapter. By the way, this excuse works time and time again. Oh! I can’t put off one more day updating my website. Have to check all the groups’ digests to see what I’ve been missing.

When I finally settle down, I open one of five WIP’s. Before I know it, three hours have passed. I’ve edited the first chapter…for the fifth time. What’s wrong with me? I know where the story’s going. Why isn’t it getting there?

I feel guilty blaming winter. It’s my favorite season. It’s always been my most productive time of year.

Is there such a thing as a writer’s shrink? I might need one.

This quote says it all:

“I have spent my days stringing and unstringing my instrument while the song I came to sing remains unsung.” Rabindranath Tagore 1913

Ideas, anyone? Suggestions? Empathy? At this point, I’m grasping at straws.

Pam Champagne
WHERE PASSION AND DANGER COLLIDE
Samhain Publishing
Bed of Lies 2008 EPPIE FINALIST
The Enchanted Inn
Wild Rose Press
Dead Heat – In Print
Bridge of Hope -Available Now
pamchampagnenews-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
www.pamchampagne.net

Category: | 02/21/08 03:00 PM

Comments: [5]

  1. 1 Betty Womack

    Pam, you are going through the winter yuk zone. Really, thats what I call it. You will snap out of it and get back to your productive self. You always manage to come up with some super writing. I am looking forward to your next heart grabbing book.

    Comment by Betty Womack · Feb 21, 06:57 PM
  2. 2 Kathy

    We all go through periods, no matter the season, where we just can’t focus. I don’t think you have writer’s block. Just a passing case of A.D.D.:-)

    Comment by Kathy · Feb 21, 11:52 PM
  3. 3 Tricia Jones

    Been there. Done that. Got a whole wardrobe of T-shirts. It’s good to take a break now and then but, trouble is, the procrastination thing can become a habit. Soon whole months pass and you realise you haven’t written anything much at all. I found the best way to break the habit was to start working on the wip immediately the computer booted up. No checking emails, loops, research sites – not until I’ve done a set number of words or worked for a specific period of time.

    Another thing I did (and still do from time to time) was check out the websites of really prolific authors. Seeing the number of stories they manage to produce makes me feel guilty – and inspired – and very determined to up my game.

    Plus, I find quotes are motivational … here’s one from Karen Lamb that’s glued to my monitor: “A year from now you will wish you had started today.” I don’t want to look back this time next year and have nothing much to show for it.

    So come on, Pam, get cracking on that wip – your readers need more great stories from you.

    Comment by Tricia Jones · Feb 22, 08:58 AM
  4. 4 Janet Ch

    Try writing first thing in the morning when your mind is fresh. It’s a much more productive time than later in the day. The minute you’re dressed and have the house to yourself, grab a drink and sit down at the computer —-before you do anything else.

    So you don’t feel guilty about writing when there is a heap of laundry to do or dishes to be washed, set a timer for 30 minutes. This is your time for writing. You can have your breakfast and do all those other jobs that are waiting, when the pinger goes off —-but until then shove them to the back of your mind.

    Comment by Janet Ch · Feb 22, 02:01 PM
  5. 5 Pam Champagne

    Thanks, everyone. I vow to put my procrastination behind me and move ahead.

    Comment by Pam Champagne · Feb 23, 06:50 AM

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