CJSF3 Round 3 Day 5
Excerpted from
Sunday! Second weekend day!
Focus is important so don't let little distractions get in the way.
Your writing sessions are your time; use that time wisely.
Author Tasks for Day 5
Some things always work, some things work occasionally and some things we've never tried. It's important to keep mixing up what you try to get new words, so if you're going stale, shake things up!
1. Try a change of venue
You've probably exhausted all the rooms in your house so how about a coffee shop? How about asking your best friend to loan you a corner of her sofa and a cup of tea? Environment matters and while you'd probably end up talking with your friend sometimes discussing your novel in a relaxed atmosphere makes ideas pop up that spur writing. Just don't let yourself stare at the keyboard with still hands. Go to where the fingers decide they want to be ficcing.
Tip: Try a change of platform as well. Tired of the keyboard? Go longhand on a legal pad for a while. Got a PDA? Sketch out Mechanicals sitting in the sun. You can even take a scratch pad into the bathtub to daydream scene ideas on. Just mix it up and get fresh with your ficcing!
Tip: Does your computer have a microphone? If so dictate fic or fic notes while you rest your eyes - preferably while you rest your body too. Sitting at a keyboard for hours does not a happy body make so take a break for your body without taking a break from your fic.
2. Do whatever activity normally amps yourself up before writing
What revs your creative engine? A long shower? A short drive? Maybe a bath or a jog. Wherever you tend to get the most ideas out of the blue, that's where to go. Whatever gets you energized for writing, now's the time to do it.
Tip: A lot of people say they get their best ideas in the shower or behind the wheel. Think back to what activities you've had interrupted with fic ideas. Those are activities that facilitate your flow so try to identify them so you can duplicate that state on purpose.
Tip: If activities that take you away from the computer, like walking or driving, are what give you flow then try to bring a tape recorder along so you can quickly record your fic output to save for when you get back to the computer.
3. Consider a canon refresh
If you haven't written the fandom in a while it can help to watch episodes or reread the appropriate book. This is especially good if you struggle with character voices.
Tip: Pay close attention to one character at a time. Listen to them speak and analyze what makes them sound different than everyone else. Do they use lots of 25 cent words and no contractions? Do they hem and haw before tentatively speaking? Do they lazily drop words or tend to be monosyllabic?
Tip: Good with dialoge, but not details? Pay attention to body language, gestures, use of props, how people sit, stand, lean and even touch each other. Adding descriptive language to your fic not only adds fresh words, it paints a more vivid picture which can inspire your brain to keep the visuals going, feeding you new fic to write.
And if you can, WRITE!
First Reader Tasks for Day 5
As with any day in the round you can offer your services or be asked.
1. Decide on an author or two you'd like to First Read for
Note: You've had a chance to interact with them a little and find out more about their fic by now. Ask the authors you'd like to read for if they are on your IM service and offer to add them. You certainly can and should offer to read for authors who don't IM or don't use your service, but it's something to keep in mind as a good way to make yourself available to authors during the round.
Tip: We don't require that people post their IM information, so at some point someone has to inquire about sharing that information and that falls easily into First Reader territory. Just leave an opening for an author to decline. Some people are really hesitant about giving out their screennames and might wish to have some sort of relationship with you via email or comments before they consider taking that next step. Be patient about it and don't feel like you must share your IM if you're not comfortable doing so. Once you do make an IM connection be respectful with initiating contact since you don't want to interrupt their flow. You can send a message letting them know you're available if needed, but that they don't need to respond if they're busy. It's kind, but opens the door for them to interact with you if the time is right.
Reminder to Authors!
Post your word counts/number of new words on each of these daily posts to track your progress!