I wish I could talk about something profound and encouraging today, but the ugly truth is my life has been a real stew of stress and problems of late. I am having a hard time creating anything beyond my blog posts. My writing has gone to shit. I have allowed all of this outside ugliness to fog up the view, narrow my vision. My characters have been left to their own devices and they certainly aren't talking to me anymore. They're mad as hell and I don't blame them. I sit at my computer, day after day, staring at my story and I feel nothing. In all honesty, I want to shut down and go to bed.
I need to get my mojo back. I am hoping this move to a new place will be a start. Taking myself out of the drama around here will ease my stress alot and hopefully improve not only my creativity, but my health too.
What do you do to get your creativity going in times of stress? How do you find it within yourself to write when you feel tapped out?
Stay tuned tomorrow when I answer 11 crazy questions from the awesome Julie at Gypsy in My Soul. You're going to be surprised. And don't forget about Captain Alex's CassaFire tour.
Sorry you temporarily lost your "mojo," but I'm sure you'll get it back soon. In the meantime, please take care of yourself. For someone who feels like crawling into bed, you've been doing a great job supporting your friends. This says so much about your character, and I truly believe good things will start coming your way. Julie
ReplyDeleteSometimes you just need to walk away from your computer - it'll call you back soon enough. My advice would be to allow yourself time to relax and take care of your other stresses. Hope your mojo returns soon :-)
ReplyDeleteI don't know, sometimes stress is a great source of creativity for me. But that could just be due to sleep deprivation messing with my head.
ReplyDeleteGood question and the answer will be different for everyone. You just have to find what works for you! I am still trying to figure out what works for me, but at least I know what does not work :/ Not getting into that here :)
ReplyDeleteI think you still got your mojo, but it's being blocked by all the ugliness around you. Just think positive and find an inspiration that will bring your creativity back. That's a temporary condition hon, don't worry, it will pass. Hugs! :)
ReplyDeleteIt will come back! I had a long dry spell last year after finishing edits for CassaFire. Had no idea what to do next. And then it hit me. (And when I came to, I started writing!)
ReplyDeleteI'm more than sure that moving away will improve your health, darling! It might be the best thing you've ever done for yourself. You know I have the same plans, so this will be our year of changes and better living, sister!
ReplyDeleteJuggling writing and life is difficult. I have dry spells often, but then a moment hits where I cannot get away from writing and thousands of words pour on the pages. Just breathe, let the dust settle and sit down with a clear mind. Oh, and characters are like people - they're suckers for bribes :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I'm going through stress like that and the writing isn't coming, there isn't much more I can do but ride it out. I indulge in movies and books and give myself permission to just be for as long as it takes. I do hope your new environment will open up a new creative time for you. A change usually helps.
ReplyDeleteA change of scenery will probably do you a world of good! When stress takes me over, I tend to step away from the computer and go somewhere different, see new things. It always helps!
ReplyDeleteI try to read when I'm too stressed to write. Sometimes the right book will relax me and make me excited to get back to my own worlds. Good luck with getting rid of the stress!
ReplyDeleteA break is good. Sometimes I find more creativity when I spend time with friends/family and don't think about writing for a week or so.
ReplyDeleteDo something else you enjoy! Ride it out...it won't last! Or write all the crazy crap down...eventually the sparks will come back~ Moving may be the best thing you can do! It is difficult, but sometimes a great fresh start! (((hugs)))
ReplyDeleteYou'll rise from this short-term malaise marvelously, Mel. I have no doubt. You are a rare talent and a careless giver, an attribute that will surely aid your process.
ReplyDeleteDid you know that the legendary screenwriter, Ernest Lehman suffered from severe writer's block before he ultimately penned his finest work? The screenplay I'm referring to is, of course, North by Northwest. I expect the same masterful turnaround from you, Mel :)
I have to go do something else, even if it's just housework. Just something, anything, but sit in front of my manuscript and fret over how I haven't finished it yet.
ReplyDeleteEverybody here has great ideas - and many of them center around changing things up, removing yourself from the familiar. That works for me - whether you go someplace new to write, or just step away from the computer to distract yourself, sometimes you just have to put some distance between you and your work to get your writing mojo back.
ReplyDeleteI've gone through those dry spells - feeling you on this one - but it does turn around (I'm kind of emerging from one the last few weeks, actually) I don't have advice to give - no idea what to do - but I am sending positive energy your way! You'll get your mojo back! Yeah, baby!
ReplyDeleteThe 10 minute hack is the answer!!
ReplyDeleteThe fact that you're still blogging is good though. Not the kind of writing that you want to be doing, but at least it keeps your toe in the water. If your characters aren't behaving, maybe you should write a fun scene where you plant them somewhere odd or dangerous to see how they'd react. That'll teach them for mutiny!
Step away from the bed. And the fridge. And the computer. Your stress is making you stress more. It's going to be okay. Give yourself permission to take a break. It's important to your mind and well being. Relish the time to see and do other things. The library? A museum? All those things you enjoy, but rarely have time for. Your creativity is still there. It just needs a short vacation.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear of all your stresses, awesome Melissa. I do hope things settle down and you get your mojo back. You write a great story. Take care of yourself. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteOh, Melissa. I'm so sorry to hear of all you're going through. Very recently I went through a very crazy period where nothing worked as I had planned. I can definitively feel your pain. But don't fret, life will get better and your mojo will come back. Just take a step or two back, watch a few movies and talk to that someone you know you can trust. Then things will turn out for the best. You'll see.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck from Diary of a Writer in Progress