One thing about taking a break from what you’re writing is that when you go back to it, you see it would a “new” set of eyes. Unfortunately, when I got back to finally finish writing and typing that final elusive period for my first YA romance novel, I realized I had to chuck the last chapter and a half I’d written. With several pages now in the proverbial circular file, the dreaded nemesis of every writer, writer’s block, raised its sinister head.
As those of you who are writers know, there are dozens of ways to beat this foe back. One of the ways I’ve found to do it is having to focus on writing something different than my novel. That’s why I love following Laura McHale Holland’s flash fiction blog and thinking of a good response for each entry. Her blog entry this week has helped me once again by allowing me to overcome this episode of writer’s blog.
http://lauramchaleholland.com/flash-fiction/slip-away/#comments
Hi Robin,
ReplyDeleteI am happy that you got over your writer's block. I usually help myself by going to a Cafe and drinking a nice cup of coffee and eating a piece of cake. Then I just let my mind wanter.
Ciao,
Patricia
I'm glad you're over your writer's block and I enjoyed visiting Laura's blog!
ReplyDeleteIt must have been painful to cut so many pages! But I guess every writer has had to do that, at least once.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your post.
@Sandy N - If you're truly are an author then you come to the realiztion that there are times you must get rid of something which you have given "birth" to in order to have something better in its place. The pain and frustration is there and always will be in the back of your head, but as I've just said you know you now have something which is an improvement of what you've lost.
ReplyDeleteThis is the good thing about leaving your work for a while and then having a fresh look at it. Sometimes things we can't let go of, that need to be turfed, are easier to part with after some time has gone by. I've had that happen many times and much later, I have to admit it was better to delete that scene that I hadn't wanted to part with earlier. Then comes the blank page, writer's block ... well, better a temporary blank page than a permanent (published) bad page.
ReplyDelete