No matter how hard we try to plan out our projects, life
always seems to get in the way. The day
job can do quite a number on one’s creative mind; nearly sucks the artistic
drive and momentum out of me by the time I get home in the evening. But I’ve learned to wake up early enough to
beat the droning affects of a long day’s work.
Rather, I like to leave the droning for the day job and keep my
creativity and monumental reasoning on my own clock.
This year has brought a lot of milestones due to the work
within my children’s book business. I’ve
made a lot of new connections; therefore, placing me in situations where my
future author visits and books can only flourish from. I’m even teaching a creative writing course
for middle graders at a summer enrichment program next week. As excited as I am for such a wonderful
opportunity, I just wish the summer would slow down so I can actually conquer
my WIP; a quest both my mind and heart are yearning to defeat.
As I throw my imagination back into my WIP, I’m finding
myself to be climbing back on the bike; steadily easing myself back into the
mind who effortlessly wrote this story a few months ago.
Coincidentally, the other day, I mounted myself up on a bike and
to be honest, I haven’t ridden one since two summers ago while vacationing down
the shore. It felt a bit wobbly at first
and took a few graceful strides to get the pedals going. Imagine legs forming an outward triangle
toward the sky before hearing the words, “Straight, woman!” as they stammered
candidly throughout my head.
Before I knew it, it was smooth canoodling down the
road. I was one with the path ahead of
me; taking in all of the fragrances and beauty surrounding as the wind flapped
against my face. I breathed in all of
the warm embraces of an angelic, summer sun and even allowed my legs to stretch
out as I glided down the hills. I was in
love with a mere impromptu of buying a new bike on the melancholy of a whim.
As far as my WIP goes, the first few pages were a bit shaky
once I dived into an abyss of, “This just isn’t rights.” I honestly found myself re-reading them over
and over again until I eventually got the beginning right. However, just like getting back that bike, I
have come to realize when we walk away from projects, it takes a few baby steps
to get the pedals (or the computer keys) going again.
Our WIPs continuously
cling to our hearts no matter how far the end might seem. And when we walk away from them, they somehow
manage to reach out toward us only to drag us right back into their worlds. The meeting of the mind and story will clash at
times; causing us to scream, yell, cry and pull our hair out when a scene or
idea doesn’t fall together the way it should.
We will do all of those things until we get it right.
When I was a child, it was a bit frustrating learning how to
ride a bike. I fell many times, scraping
knees, but always managed to pick myself back up again and keep at it until I
mastered it. Like many, I managed to
become so graceful that riding the bike was like an art. It painted a picture for me as I took in
every single piece of nature around me.
Conquering that beast of an obstacle gave my hungry brain
the memories and potential it needed to learn how to love and try new things
while perusing around my imagination, desire and pursuit for just about
everything.
I’m back on the bike.
I’m focused and pedaling… like a crazy lunatic; sometimes at vigorous
speeds while at others, sluggishly slow and swallowing big air gulps over speed
bumps as my WIP tells me to slow down.
“Focus, woman, focus!”
Whether we are riding our bikes again or picking up off from
where we left our WIPs, it’s all a matter of progress. One thing is for sure; time may not always be
on our side. It sneaks up on you and
passes along the days when you least expect it.
You wake up one morning and it is May 1st and then before you
know it, the 4th of July is staring you in the face asking, “So what
are we doing for the fireworks?”
Do you find it easy or difficult to thrust yourself back into your WIP after leaving it for so long? Once you've finished writing a manuscript, do you start the editing process right away or do you ever take breaks? 
I've had it go both ways. Sometimes I need the time away. Other times I struggle to find my groove again.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your WIP, Gina.
Thank, Kelly. I will need it over the next few weeks!
ReplyDeleteI do agree that taking a break from a piece of work, can have a negative effect. It breaks the flow, and the trickle of creative thought that was so singular in direction can get blocked or split into lesser paths. I find this with both painting and writing. I am very conscious of the fact that most of my paintings fail to deliver on the promise of the original sketchbook draft.
ReplyDeleteNow I am writing much more (most of it not yet accessible to the general public), I get concerned that each consecutive chapter may not have the same “feel” as the earlier ones. Quite possibly a way around this would be to write each part as it occurs in the mind rather than worry about attempting to write according to the time line of the story. (I think this practice is not uncommon, some authors starting in the middle of a proposed book).
As regards editing, I do take a break. Or rather a break imposes itself during the process. I write long hand. Break. Type. Break. Read from the page rather than the screen. Break. So I’m making small edits at each stage.
When I confronted my work again, it was a bit challenging to find my "flow" with this particular manuscript, Ian. The world I had created was literally mapped out in my head for several months and even though I took the Spring to focus on my children's book author visits, that world lingered but wasn't living in my every day thoughts like it had been.
DeleteI was never good at time lines. Like some authors, I write as the plot grows within my mind. If I have a few ideas for certain chapters, I jot them down and worry about plotting them out later. But as far as a time line goes, I was never one to put a constraint on building my world. Although many authors do and it is genius for the livelihood of their creations.
Good luck with your paintings and writing! Thanks for sharing!
I have a couple of manuscripts, one of which would be fairly easy to whip into shape for a Kindle book, but I keep moving on to other projects, addicted to the new and also weighed down by a full-time day job. But my youngest just graduated from high school and I am feeling more free, relaxed, and creative. My main WIP right now is trying to get a few groups of poems published in literary journals. But you remind me to get back to some of the old work and get it to completion. Also, I have a bike in that garage that I need to get back on and start riding. : )
ReplyDeleteThe day job definitely puts a damper on one's free time when it comes to writing and having to be careful with which projects to focus on. I always say if I could write fulltime, everything would just fall into place. I also wouldn't detest social media as much because writing is my passion and when I have to invest the little free time I have in tweeting and on Facebook, I cringe.
DeleteIt's good that your youngest has graduated and that will give you some free time, Carol. My summer has opened up a bit more which gives me the flexibility to actually write more instead of rushing around like a crazy woman, trying to get everything done.
Good luck with your poems! I would love to see your work sometime. Poetry is a huge part of my life. I have a children's book under a pen name which rhymes=) But most of my adult poetry isn't published. Someday... maybe!
Thanks for sharing!
I suppose we take time away from our WIP to let ideas stew and churn out more flavours as we explore with other plot possibilities. Breaks are necessary for me. And I know I always come back with more after some time-off. Heard you were sick over the weekend. Hope you're feeling much better now, Gina! Take care of yourself first. Writing and reading aren't meant to be rushed anyway. Good luck with the WIP! You have accomplished much lately. It's okay to slow down some times.
ReplyDeleteThank you, my dear friend. I felt awful over the weekend. I think it was a combination of trying to do so many things at once, stress and just needing rest. I'm going to be taking it easy for the rest of the summer while focusing on the class I'm teaching next week for the middle graders=)
DeleteI knew I would eventually run into obstacles by juggling two different brands. I'm still trying to work everything out and find balance through it all. But for now, I'm going to take it easy and hopefully, tackle all of my edits for my WIP this summer.
Thanks for sharing, Claudine!
Despite the fact I haven't been on a bike in many years (many, many years! lol), I know just what you mean. My WIP never progresses as fast as I think it should, and despite the fact I know I'm a better writer, it doesn't get easier. It's as if when you first learned, you had a tricycle. When you mastered that, some sneaky person replaced it with a push-pedal. When you mastered that, they gave you a ten speed. And now some mean person took that and substituted a unicycle! Seriously? I keep falling, but I'm determined to master the unicycle eventually! lol
ReplyDeleteHa! Lexa, too funny. I guess no matter how much we think we master one thing, something else always comes along to show us there will always be something new. But then again, that is the beautiful thing about our writing and WIPs. We might leave it at times but once we pick it back up again, we have new ideas and different approaches. This is what makes us strong writers because our creativity is constantly learning and growing.
ReplyDeleteSomeday, you will master the unicycle. And when you do, I'd love some tips! lol
Gina, you and me both! I was supposed to have my WIP all ready for publication by now but just as you say, life gets in the way. The hardest thing for me is finding the motivation to get back to editing when I have so many distractions (and especially when the new project is screaming, "Write me!"). But normally once I force myself to sit down and face the project, I don't have many problems getting it done.
ReplyDeleteI just wish there was more time in the day, Quanie! Or wouldn't it be grand if we each had a clone? Not to take away from our awesome selves but just to help with the workload:) I'm definitely sucked back into the editing. It's simply finding more time to really focus that is putting a damper on my progress. Having two brands is quite the challenge....
DeleteAnd you have so many ideas for books, my friend! I wish you the best possible creativity so you can conquer all if your present & future WIPs:)
Gina, I can't wait till U pedal that last mile of your novel. I have been waiting in patient & quiet anticipation. The last thing someone wants 2 hear, is Get back on that horse or in this case, bike, but I'm awfully glad that U did. The established author world is ready 4 U. Don't keep them waiting!
ReplyDeleteThanks, mom:) I'm looking forward to sharing the first few chapters with you on our little road trip! Love you!
ReplyDelete'Pricked, primed, and probed'. I love it:) And congrats on the creative writing course. What fun. And what an honor to be asked to teach it. I have found when I set a wip aside and come back to it much later, it sometimes flows smoother.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sandra! That is surely how conquering our WIP feels!
ReplyDeleteI'm really excited for the Creative Writing class. Who knows... maybe it will open up even more doors=)
Speaking of bikes . . . I had the hardest time of learning, too. I used to actually do some Karate Kid-type stance beside my bike to get myself ready for the trial of attempting to ride a bike yet again. My (middle) sister was the one who actually taught me. Both of my parents were older than they were when my siblings were learning to ride bikes, and I guess they were too busy. She was the only one who wanted to help.
ReplyDeleteWhen I finish writing, I know when I need to take a break for a while and can get right back to working on my story. I usually do take a break, even if it is for just 2-3 days, which is a break for me. lol Other times, I feel like I don't need a break and just dive immediately into editing.
Well, I'm happy your sister taught you, Chrys. Both of my dad's fought over teaching us because this was around the time Daddy C came back into our lives. On the one hand, it was good because we had two teachers. But on the other, I think it was a bit competitive at times, lol!
DeleteAt first, I was really scared of getting back to the edits of my novel because I had taken a few months away from it. But in all honesty, I just didn't have the time with the children's book work.
However, I'm finding it to be very interesting the more I grow within this story. I thought I had drifted but I'm right back to where it all began... with changes for the better.. I hope!
Happy Tuesday, pal.
ReplyDeleteAnd I hope your class does open doors:)
Awe, thank you so much my sweet, Sandra=)
DeleteHappy Tuesday!
When I have a project that I haven't worked on in a while, I am always worried that my writing will have changed enough so that there is a noticeable wrinkle in the manuscript. I'm not sure if that will happen, but I do have one project that I have been away from for a while that I need to get back on this year (and finish it if possible), so I suppose I'll see how that goes. That is one good thing with a bike: Your style isn't likely to effect the way you ride.
ReplyDeleteVery true, Andrew... and I like that-- "Your style isn't likely to effect the way you ride."
ReplyDeleteI think at the end of the day, especially for creatives, we never lose our ability to be artistic. The masterpiece may vary away from what we had originally expected out of it but hopefully, it will always be GOOD writing. And hopefully, the plot and characters are strong enough to make the editing process or "break" not so bad.
I love riding my bike. Unfortunately a few years back someone took it from our garage and I never got around to replacing it :( I have however ridden a bike since and it was great.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about that. The nerve of some people!
DeleteI'm glad you are enjoying your bike rides, Lady Lilith. I, too, and looking forward to them throughout the summer=)
I've found if I can carve out time to write at least one paragraph on my WIP every day, even when life gets in the way, it really helps. I've abandoned SO many manuscripts halfway through because life got in the way and I couldn't get back into them! Just a sentence or two, even, may help.
ReplyDeleteDo you think you will ever return to some of those manuscripts you have abandoned, Stephanie?
DeleteI have also found it helpful to open my manuscript at least once a day to do the edits. Although I am teaching this class next week for middle grade writers and haven't been able to work on it. After the sessions are done, I'm getting right back on the bike! Or in other words, my WIP=)
For me, all it takes is reading what I've written. I inevitably latch onto something about the draft I LOVE and then the muse takes over. Granted, there are a few distractions who keep the muse chained in its corner, but they'll only be living in my house for so many years. Better enjoy them while I have them, eh?
ReplyDeleteThat's a splendid way to look at it, Crystal=) Enjoy those little ones while you can!
DeleteOnce I began reading the first few pages, I knew I had a lot of work cut out for me. Although I was able to jump right back into the world I created, taking the break allowed me to strategize with a fresh take. I'm looking forward to getting back to the edits once I'm done teaching my middle grade writing students.
I try not to leave mine alone long. Some projects have been put to the side. I'd have to read them over from the beginning to figure out what I was doing. Current WIPs aren't usually away from me long enough for that to happen. I'm revisioning like mad, wishing I had writing time.
ReplyDeleteHaving to read them all over again can be a pain; especially if we have to be sparing with our time. I'm going to be doing the edits for my novel while trying to write another children's book. This should be interesting! I'm counting on time to be on my side...
DeleteBest of luck to your revisions, M Pax!
I find it difficult to get back to writing after I've been away from it for a while, but like riding a bike, I just have to keep writing to get somewhere. I do take breaks from manuscripts once they're finished. I like coming back to things with fresh eyes.
ReplyDeleteThat's right, Cherie. Writing is just like riding a bike. When we master our art, it never leaves us. No matter how lost we might feel or the old age we grow in to, our writing will always live and breathe inside of us.
DeleteOy vey...you had to remind me about my WIP, didn't you? After about 10 years of drinking that stopped my young WIP in its tracks, I finally got the courage to start it (or start up from scratch, really) and was at it for about a month until...I stopped. And it's been at least 6 months since I've looked at it. It's a bummer, frankly, and not sure what to do. I can barely post twice a week on the blog let alone focus on my WIP. I won't make excuses, but certainly long hours and 2 kids and all the other things that life demands of me removes any hours that are already in deficit. Ugh. But I am glad that you're plugging away. Not sure how these parents with younger children write. Either they have spouses who are saints, lots of child care, or have homes that need to be condemned...lol.
ReplyDeleteI guess my WIP is my running? Lame, I know. That's the only thing that I will do my best to find time to do. I guess it's more important than the WIP, but that might change. I know I have a book in me, and don't want to leave this earth without writing it. So get to it I will - one day!
I love the analogy you had there, and glad you jumped on those two wheels. I ride every day (it's my transportation), and it's freeing. I like the fact that after work I don't have to worry about traffic, etc. I just jump on my bike and let the day dissolve.
Great post, my friend...keep writing!
Paul
Paul, I love how you look at your running as a WIP. That is so admirable! I am pushing for you and I know you are getting faster, stronger, and lighter with every stride. Not to mention, all of the runner mumbo jumbo when it comes to inspiring highs and meditative moments once we peak=) True story, though. Not in that way! I know what you were thinking! I mean, more of the trance type on an island in Ibiza or realizing the woman (or man) we are growing (or running) into is eventually coming to meet us. Either I'm running low on sleep today or that didn't make any sense at all, lol. My brain is like egg yolk after 8pm.
DeleteTell me about finding time to write! It's really hard, Paul. And I have two brands to juggle plus the fulltime gig. I only post on my blog once every week or so... I guess I make up time there because each one of my blog posts takes hours to create.
And I honestly don't know how parents with young kids write. I was laughing when reading what you wrote. I can't imagine what their homes look like either! They must be sparkling tidy with lots of helping hands or on the brink of massive, smelly destruction.
I really hope you get to your other WIP... the one you have been working on from time to time. I know it's hard to find the time, but when you do, your WIP will suck you in and you will soon forget about the outside world. Literally... my companion talks to me when I'm writing and he has to repeat himself several times, louder and louder, before I acknowledge him. If I had kids, DYFS would be banging down my doors.
Thanks for sharing, Paul! And please continue to saturate us in an authentic bliss with your beautiful writing.
Happy Friday, my friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you, my lovely Sandra:) Happy Friday!
DeleteI usually take breaks, whether it's a few days or a few weeks, because it's needed between stages. I always want to return to the manuscript. It does call out to me.
ReplyDeleteI think breaks definitely help; especially when we need a clear, fresh mindset to tackle new chapters and/or edits. If I had more time, I probably wouldn't have taken such a long break. But I think a few days or weeks is helpful.
ReplyDelete