I am one of those people who writes everyday. It's important for me not so much so that I keep the flow going but so that I stay 'in touch' with my story. Or at least that's how I think of it.
As for kick-starting... (and I'm going to use a new project more than a break in writing since I can't remember the last time I wasn't writing. And it's been at least four years.) I find the thing, the moment, the character, the whatever that excites me that most. Because that excited translates into investment. And investment is what keeps me going, the idea that I want to write this story.
I'm at a really different point in my current project so this is hard. hee.
Ah, yes, investment! That makes sense. I think that might be why I am not so interested in writing just anything. I really need to be invested and right now what invests me most, unglamorously, are deadlines.
I do find that writing every day, developing that habit, is the cleanest way to keep in flow. (And kudos for that daily writing! You inspire me with your dedication!)
When I am writing, I always write everyday. And it comes not from dedication but fear and superstition that if I'm not writing my story will die. Over the years, and thanks in large part to fic, that fear translated to investment. If I'm not invested in a story I can't tell it, but if I am invested it was wait for me.
Despite the fact that I do write everyday, I don't think it's the only way to keep the gates open. What I've come to find as more important is making writing and writing time a priority. Creating a daily habit is one way to do that but not the only one. You're ability to carve out large chunks of weekend time amazes me because I work best in hour to hour and a half chunks, but it was very helpful example for my cousin who needed to get some professional, academic writing done this spring. So since my cousin doesn't actually know you, I will thank you for that. :D
Deadlines can motivate as well as anything. I'm trying some self-imposed ones for Harlowe.
Yes, I definitely need large chunks of time bc I write best when I am IMMERSED in the world I'm writing. Poking away at fic doesn't usually work for me and I end up really frustrated. I did find that when I wrote every day, even just edited or wrote one paragraph, I didn't need quite as much time and could gain benefit from shorter work periods. I would actually love to have deadline every week, that would really keep me on my toes. I have to self-impose so much discipline in my job (the woes of the self-employed) that doing it with my great!love writing, makes it feel like a job. I really need the deadlines to lift some of that burden. I'm just a little worn out from the stress of life and extensive self/business/family-management that I can't muster up the energy sometimes to make myself write.
I do have to say that the daily editing (as opposed to chunk editing) has been beneficial to me, too. It keeps me thinking about writing every day and my editing brain and writing brain are not too far apart!
This is a good question. I'm not very disciplined, especially on a break. My muse is so recalcitrant and I can't push her. But sometimes a thought will occur to me walking or just out and about. A snatch of dialogue, or a thoughts about two characters. If I can I write it on a receipt or a Post-It note. It only has to be a few lines. But I wanted to write it so bad when I didn't even have paper! So now it's something I want to do. (Mind you, this may not even be what I'm supposed to write, but that doesn't matter
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I like that you mentioned emails and journals. I think those are definitely great ways to keep things flowing. Your words about cheating on your current project make me laugh, because I have totally done that and have been inspired to stray *quite often* LOL!
The hours between 5 and 8 AM when the house is still asleep are my golden writing time. That's when I feel like I can really hear my stories clearly and I try and take advantage of that when I have a big project or a deadline
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Ah, yes! So many writers talk about that golden time around dawn as peak writing time. I agree with mornings, as they are my most productive time. For a short period, I used to wake up a little early to write and it was delicious.
Giving the subconscious time to think about things is so true! I call it 'percolating' because I really do need time to let my brain put pieces together, particularly if it's a long story. I'm writing a big bang this summer and wasn't quite sure about one element of the story arc, so I just let it percolate and the way to solve it came to me. I love brains! <3
I write every day in the sense that it's part of my routine. So, after dinner and a little TV time, I sit down to write and that is what I do from about 8-11. Words come out or don't because I really don't have anything else to do! If the words aren't coming, I do give in to the Internet distractions.
If I've gone off a story, I find it helps to re-read what I have. That gets me back into the story and in synch with the characters. But, again, I don't want to force it, which is why I'm glad I have so many choices in what to write - at any given time, something appeals. Or I start something new.
Also! I do all my plotting throughout the day, so I do know what I'm going to write when I sit down to do it.
I love that you have a routine for writing. I really do agree that it helps keep things flowing smoothly. Re-reading definitely helps, too. I notice that as soon as I start to edit something, I'll suddenly be in the groove to write and won't have even noticed the transition!
I'm at my most productive between midnight and 0600, whether I'm writing/editing my own stuff, beta-reading something in another fandom, or editing a paid project. Clearly, that won't work for everybody, because most people are normal and sleep at night
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As for kick-starting... (and I'm going to use a new project more than a break in writing since I can't remember the last time I wasn't writing. And it's been at least four years.) I find the thing, the moment, the character, the whatever that excites me that most. Because that excited translates into investment. And investment is what keeps me going, the idea that I want to write this story.
I'm at a really different point in my current project so this is hard. hee.
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I do find that writing every day, developing that habit, is the cleanest way to keep in flow. (And kudos for that daily writing! You inspire me with your dedication!)
Reply
Despite the fact that I do write everyday, I don't think it's the only way to keep the gates open. What I've come to find as more important is making writing and writing time a priority. Creating a daily habit is one way to do that but not the only one. You're ability to carve out large chunks of weekend time amazes me because I work best in hour to hour and a half chunks, but it was very helpful example for my cousin who needed to get some professional, academic writing done this spring. So since my cousin doesn't actually know you, I will thank you for that. :D
Deadlines can motivate as well as anything. I'm trying some self-imposed ones for Harlowe.
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I do have to say that the daily editing (as opposed to chunk editing) has been beneficial to me, too. It keeps me thinking about writing every day and my editing brain and writing brain are not too far apart!
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Giving the subconscious time to think about things is so true! I call it 'percolating' because I really do need time to let my brain put pieces together, particularly if it's a long story. I'm writing a big bang this summer and wasn't quite sure about one element of the story arc, so I just let it percolate and the way to solve it came to me. I love brains! <3
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If I've gone off a story, I find it helps to re-read what I have. That gets me back into the story and in synch with the characters. But, again, I don't want to force it, which is why I'm glad I have so many choices in what to write - at any given time, something appeals. Or I start something new.
Also! I do all my plotting throughout the day, so I do know what I'm going to write when I sit down to do it.
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