I’d like t
o introduce today’s guest blogger, my good friend and critique partner, Melissa Francis. Mel writes fabulously funny women’s fiction and paranormal YA. Her YA novels, Bite Me! and Love Sucks! have received outstanding literary reviews and have recently been sold for foreign rights. You can connect with Mel via her blog, Facebook or Twitter.
Last August, I confessed to the internetz I had lost something very dear to me…my rhythm.
Now I’m not talking about my ability to bust a move. (Whew!) I’m talking about my writing rhythm.
I was going through a divorce and even though it was amicable (I hate that word), it was still a giant source of stress for me. The divorce has been final for almost a year, he and I are still friends and my stress level has returned to normal. Almost.
This life change sucked the joy out of my writing. Even reading became a chore. And when reading is no longer joyful for me, you know there’s a problem.
I’ve tried over the year to find my rhythm…to get back into my groove. But every time I sat down to read or write, I would suddenly have to balance the checkbook (something I haven’t done in 2 years, thanks to online banking) or clean (something I’ve never done on purpose) or paint a wall, or dig a ditch, or run a marathon, or…well, you get the picture.
Things seem to be changing for me now. I find myself plotting my new story idea in my head and playing with the characters. I’m getting more and more excited about the thought of writing. AND I’ve actually been reading a little bit! (yay!) But the point of all this (and I have one) is that I finally WANT to read and write again.
Daily writing has been out of my life for so long, it’s hard for me to find a way to work it back in. You know, it’s a lot like exercise. Once I’m doing it every day, I don’t want to stop, but how can I get back to that point?
What do you do when you lose your mojo? People told me to force myself to write, but that made me feel worse. I couldn’t make myself do it (now if I had been on deadline, I’m pretty sure that would’ve been a different story!) I really had to just let it all work out naturally. But it’s taken so long, that I feel almost out of sorts now. But NOW is the time that I have to develop my new routine and force myself to stick to it…now that it isn’t physically painful to try to write. Who am I kidding? If writing ain’t painful, you ain’t doin’ it right!
I’ve decided to commit to starting off with a small goal, like two hours a week. Then I can add to it as the weeks pass, and hopefully, before I know it, I’m writing daily again. Mel needs to get her groove back. (and if there’s a volunteer who’d like to whisk me away to the Caribbean where a young, hot, partially clothed island boy serves as inspiration, then I’m okay with that…)
Thanks so much for inviting me to blog, Maria!
Any time!
*waving to Maria*
), and by the time I adjust my writing rhythm to one season, we’ve already moved on to another. I don’t have an answer (I wish!), but I do think most of us struggle with something like this for one reason or another throughout our writing careers. Sending you good wishes from Chicago!
Mel, it’s wonderful to see you here!! And I know about losing the writing mojo for a time… For me, different seasons of the year bring with them certain challenges (i.e., my husband is a teacher, so he’s home for the summer, which has it’s pros and cons
Marilyn Brant`s last blog was …ENTANGLED is Out Now!
Hi Marylin! Thanks so much for stopping by! And yes, I believe we all struggle with our writing rhythm at some point in our lives. I wish there was a magical potion we could take that would speed things along!
Hi Mel,
Welcome to M&M! Having been through a similar problem, I know how easy it is to look down the road and wonder if you’ll ever care to write again! In my case stress and exhaustion were contributing factors and once I ‘rested’ my muse started waking up again.
A short goal every week sounds like a great way to start. Good luck! Oh, and if you need some company on that Caribbean getaway…
Mel, welcome to MM and glad to hear you are getting back in the swing. I have periods where I’d rather do anything but write. I do force myself to write through those periods, or at least read what I’ve already written, but it is hard. I find reading a LOT helps kick me back to writing, because I am re-inspired to write my own stories.
Michelle Diener`s last blog was …Guest blogging at author Cynthia Eden’s blog
Hi Mel. Thanx for joining us here at MM.
I think every writer goes through this at some point in their life. I certainly do … on a regular basis. During treatment, its hard to pull together the enthusiasm and then the fatigue nails you between the eyes. As a result, I write when I can and as much as I can at any given time. If the mood hits me, I’m writin’ … because I know it might be days if not weeks before I even look at the computer again.
I think small goals are great. One step at a time. It does help me to force myself to write. The writing might be crap, but it does help. I also read some of my favorite books to get into the mood.
I’m all for small steps, too. Sometimes life happens and we have to step back. Like Lori, I do force myself sometimes, and when I reach a certain point, the magic is suddenly back. When it’s not there, I miss that writing magic. I’m glad yours is coming back.
Mel, nothing throws up off than not being able to get over a sudden halt in our muse. When the words can’t or won’t come, when you search for anything, something to do in order not to get unhinged.
I am so glad for you that your mojo is back. When we can’t get to those magical moments, we feel so empty. It’s great that you are on the mend. Keep up the good work
Thanks again for guest blogging, Mel!
Thanks so much for inviting me, gang…and for all the encouragement. It’s nice to know I’m not alone.
Hi Mel! Nice to have you here.
Sorry about the mojo, lady. I lost mine a couple of years ago when my MIL passed away. It was Christmas time, and I couldn’t find any joy in anything. I ended up spending a lot of time with Bravo and HGTV. I talked a lot to friends and wrote odds and ends, in my journal and such. When I knew it was time to get back to writing, I’d do fifteen minute sprints. Flexing my writing muscles sort to speak. I think your approach is fabulous. A few hours a week thinking about your next story and a few hours writing will have you back in the saddle in no time! Good luck.