in the middle of copy editing. After so many alterations.. I'm STUCK! I feel like I would have to re-read the entire manuscript in order to bounce back. I've been stuck now for over a good two weeks.. nothing. *sigh*
What do you do, have you done? It might be the cure.. ;D
2006-09-04 12:37:09 · 11 answers · asked by Min 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
Do you have any other projects that you're working on? Whenever I get stuck in the middle of a long writing project, I find that just getting my juices flowing with a short story or some poetry on completely different subjects really helps. It lets my mind take a break and find a fresh perspective.
I also have some books that are old stand-bys. I've read them dozens of times, but they always seem to motivate me and help me get back on track. Do you have any books about the craft of writing that work for you like that? Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg and Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott are my two big motivators. Definitely classics!
My third big help is to go outside and do something active! Take a walk, rollerblade, go to the gym, go swimming-- just get out of the house and away from the words that are driving me crazy. Getting the blood pumping is really important for your mind and your concentration.
If you really feel like you have to read through the whole manuscript, maybe that will end up being your best option. Best wishes and good luck! You can do it!
2006-09-05 05:42:29 · answer #1 · answered by Obi_San 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
was there a long enough period of time between the completion of the first draft and when you started editing it?
When you finish a story (or book) you really need to just throw it to the side for a while (a few weeks or more is best) before you pick it up again and edit it. And the same holds true if you've been editing it for a while and get stuck. Throw it to the side until you can look at it with a fresh perspective. When you stare at those same words and sentences and scenes over and over again for days or weeks on end, you lose all objectivity and it becomes nearly impossible to polish it into a great piece of writing. I've written things that I thought were 'done' but then re-read several months later and thought, what the hell was I thinking?
2006-09-05 06:04:35 · answer #2 · answered by horrorreader 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
howdy there, i will sympathize with you; it fairly is occurred to me. One approach that would artwork for you is this: Make your self a record of 5 to 10 diverse words (does not count which of them you employ) Then take a minute and start up writing sentences or words that incorporate as a lot of those words as you could. save on writing without questioning too plenty approximately it even though if what you write seems rather stupid - it fairly is not being judged, even though it fairly is basically to get your recommendations back in kit. with a bit of luck, the words will bypass extra easily for you returned once you come again to even though it became that stopped you interior the 1st place. Writing is exciting so have some with it! loosen up and notice in case you could write from a "flow of information. i've got been regularly occurring to jot down volumes like that. Write your prose in conversational speech - do not edit as you bypass; go away the modifying for later. in case you could, without having your self in a clutter, discover out from the place you left off your writing what it became (the thought or thought) that halted you, then use that concept or a word describing it in with one among the different words. you would be shocked at what you could study approximately your self on a similar time as getting to understand the thank you to break the author's block. exceptionally remember which you have a VOICE and you appreciate utilising it. Goof good fortune
2016-11-24 21:49:50 · answer #3 · answered by cootes 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I usually go to bathroom and most of the time i get through the writers bock in 5 minutes. If you leave and not go back to it right away it gets difficult, like you said you have been stuck for over two weeks. I would sugest you go back read few pages from back and try to continue. You have to get back in that chain of thoughts.
2006-09-04 12:47:46 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
THIS Happeneds and you may want to take your last thought ect... And call that special person up male/female, relative ect.. best friend and talk with them briefly until it comes to you sometimes you can get back on track this way or receive an idea that leads you back to writing, just relax take a breather. "This to shall pass" Take Care. And your book will be the BEST SELLER. Hands Down
2006-09-04 12:51:55 · answer #5 · answered by sweettoni37 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just take a break from it for a couple of days if you can. Focus on other things and go about doing other things for a couple days and then when your mind is fresh you can pick it back up and read it.
2006-09-04 12:44:05 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
have a chew or smoke a cigar in complete silence
it only works at night though for me during the day I'm screwed
2006-09-04 12:40:09 · answer #7 · answered by coreylivingston38 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you HAVE to write, then do read the whole thing through.
If you DON'T have to write (i.e. if you don't work as a full-time writer) then go and do something else.
2006-09-04 16:37:05 · answer #8 · answered by sallyotas 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I go for a drive. My best thoughts come when I'm in motion not parked behind a desk.
2006-09-04 13:35:25 · answer #9 · answered by sweet & sour 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
smoke something
2006-09-04 12:42:44 · answer #10 · answered by kmclean48 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋