I have recently started my second novel and im so engrossed in it i have not slept for almost three days, it is 7.18 in the morning here and have just noticed the answer phone messages from my family wishing me a happy new year! I am having alot of trouble sleeping as well because all i can think of is my damn story, any advice out there would be greatly appreciated.
2007-12-31 18:21:47 · 5 answers · asked by Writing_Addict 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
Hon, let me tell you this. Manic writing episodes usually result in crap. Hemingway always said that. When he went on long writing benders, so sure what he was writing was a jewel, it always turned out to be crap. It has happened to me more times than I can count.
There is no way you can write a whole novel without ceasing, so stop right now and pull back a bit. Give yourself a two or three day respite and then read what you have. It may not be as great as it sounds to you right now. Spend a couple mindless days on TV or reading or in some way entertaining yourself.
Then take a step back and work on an outline. Start learning to discipline yourself. Write at the same time of the day, in the same place, for the same length of time. No author lets a book consume their life. It is a very dangerous situation. You have to have a life too. The outline will help you so you can keep track and be able to stop at the end of your work day and pick up the next day.
As a CW teacher, I would never allow a student to push so hard. Sounds to me like you are having a manic episode. Are you by any chance bipolar? Drop me a line if you want. You need to slow down immediately.
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They're, Their, There - Three Different Words.
Careful or you may wind up in my next novel.
Pax - C
2007-12-31 18:36:55 · answer #1 · answered by Persiphone_Hellecat 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
eat something rest youreyes for a sec then turn on the tape recorder for while and start dictating your story maybe then youll stop acting like a character out a king novel .Jack from the shineing kinda makes a person wonder if mr. king wreselted with the same deraigement youre going thru to quete a line from mr. king all work and no play makes jack a dull boy.so relax you may be in good company
2008-01-01 10:21:12 · answer #2 · answered by lucky 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It does help to take nature walks every few hours, to accelerate and oxygenate, refresh and so forth.
"Creation: Artistic and Spiritual," O. M. Aivanhov, http://www.prosveta.com "The Third Music," Ann Ree Colton, "The Secret Power of Music," David Tame, and "Talks with Great Composers," Arthur Abell, M.D., are also perhaps worthwhile.
On the other hand, your dedication and energy of focus and inspiration are wonderful, and writers are allowed :)
You might consider whether this type of creative procedure would be constructive: while you are "resting" from your writing labors, are you able to remain focused as to your story's unfolding, and therefore able to "see the whole story," much as e.g. Mozart saw his whole composition? If so, is the awareness memorable, i.e., ready-to-use as you progress, or would you benefit by briefly writing a synopsis/outline?
2008-01-01 04:36:46 · answer #3 · answered by j153e 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You've got to let your body rest. In fact when you do that, you will feel even more refreshed and be able to continue to write with the same vigor but also have the senses to write efficiently. It's unfortunate that we have to relent to our bodies but it's something you can't fight because you will lose.
2008-01-01 02:26:02 · answer #4 · answered by i8pikachu 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go out take a walk have a nice meal go home and sleep as long as you can even if its not 8 hours then get up reffreshed and ready to write
2008-01-01 02:25:57 · answer #5 · answered by Tony 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋