I get discouraged easily with myself and my writing, ( or lack of). So I do alot of making myself push through the low points. One exercise that never lets me down is to write first thing in the morning. Before I open my mouth and speak to anyone I free write in the morning. Sometimes I write about a dream I had, or an impression I had from a dream. Sometimes I ask myself a question and see where it leads me, or write about my desire to write. Eventually I am able to train my early morning thoughts to go to my current WIP and it's amazing the things that flow from those early morning sessions.
Since I'm working 44 hours this week I didn't have alot of time to think about my post, so I'm just going to share some of my early morning thoughts with you. Some may be helpful and some may be just bizarre. Just remember that I have been waking up around 4am to write before work this week. Nothing is edited so please take it all with a grain of salt.
5-31-09
I am very grateful to my Father in Heaven for my many talents. I'm grateful to Him for the help He gives me. I love knowing that the Lord is there for me and wants me to develop my talents. I will strive to make Him proud.
6-3-09
It was a game of cat and mouse, only he didn't know which one he was anymore. The darkness served as his protection and his enemy. If only he knew whether he hiding or hunting.
6-9-09
In a room full of thousands of people would you stick out? Would you be different? Would people know who you are? Who would stick out to you? Why would they? In other words, what matters to you? What meaning does life have? These are the questions you have to ask yourself. These questions will help you to evaluate who you are and what's important to you. Knowing who you are is the first step in knowing what kind of writer you are and it will help you to focus on your main idea of each WIP. You write what you know whether you are aware of what you know or not. Who ever you are will soon find it's way onto the page before you. The question is whether or not you will be surprised. Know yourself and you will be better able to shape your words and have control over your writing instead of it controlling you.
5-26-09
Ghosts of the past reared up before him. The drug coursed through his body causing him to relive the horrors of war. He began to thrash in the hospital bed that seemed to define him now.
Ok, so did I put enough disclaimers on my early morning writing? It's rough but the point is that I'm writing and some of the ramblings could evolve into something eventually. So if you ever get stuck my best advice is early morning free writes. I know it's hard, I am NOT a morning person, never have been, so I think that makes my writing even more interesting!! LOL! But it does help me to feel more like a writer if I'm writing something everyday. Free writes help me to be more honest with myself, and it helps me to put aside the critical writer that sits on my shoulder most of the time. ( I think my critical side sleeps in, which is the only way I can write without it!!) So here's to pushing through the low points and the discouragement that we all get. (right? We all get it? It's not just me? Am I the only one that walks through the valley of writing death? The only one whose words sometimes fail her? The only one who writes, "I will write, I will write, I will write" until she can't even write that anymore?? Sorry free writing often leads me to rambling in my everyday life as well, but at least I'm writing, right?)
Great Post. I need to try this. I have very vivid dreams that would make great books, but an hour after I wake, I can't remember most of them. This would be a great habit to get into. Thanks
ReplyDeleteALSO- I sent an email to Jenni a couple days ago about getting a sub for Saturday. I will be out of town. She hasn't gotten back to me, so if one of you want to have my Saturday or have someone who could post for me, I'd be eternally greatful. Thanks.
I needed this post. Thank you! I get discouraged with my writing often. I write something, read it, and basically think it's crap. I feel a little better when someone reads it and tells me they like it, but still. I have this little part of me that tells me it is horrible, even though it might be really good. I will definitely take your advice, and write in the morning. I am not a morning person, but I am trying to be!
ReplyDeleteOooh, very fun. I like your cat and mouse entry. This is a great idea.
ReplyDeleteWe all wade through self-doubt at times. Mine is always present, but sometimes I'm wading through a steam and sometimes thick mud.
Christine, I believe Jenni got you a sub she probably just forgot to let you know. :)
Christine--you have a sub! So sorry, I did forget. She's another MMW I've met from Twitter. She's just started following our blog.
ReplyDeleteNikki! What a great post! And ahem, if I wrote 1/2 that good in the morning.. I think I'd have a few more books written. That was awesom free writing! You're really good! Jenni
Great post, Nikki! This sounds like a great way to trudge through the hard times!
ReplyDeleteChristine-Definately write those weird dreams down they are a hoot to read later.
ReplyDeleteChantele-I'm glad I'm not the only one that feels that way. All we can do is just keep saying, "I think I can." And write no matter how bad we think it is.
Kristy-It really is a good way to push through the bad stuff.
Kasie-Thanks, I honestly don't remember writing that entry!! LOL! I told you I wasn't a morning person!
Jenni-I definately left out some of my entries, especially the ones that were little more than sentence after sentence of "I will write."