Jump starting

One of the things everyone says you're supposed to do, especially if you're having a tough time writing is make sure that you're leaving lots of time for all your bad writing. Write in a diary every morning, do writing exercises, spend time getting to know your characters and writing stuff about them that you never anticipate putting in the book.

I KNOW this and yet, when confronted with a blank screen and a blank mind the only thing I can think to myself is "if I'm not getting enough writing done lately, then I do not, do not, do not have enough time to waste on exercises, for goodness sakes." And so despite the fact that I know this is not a logical process and getting a wee bit of creativity flowing will unlock the whole jam, I sit there and keep staring at the screen and nothing happens.

And then, finally, something comes that kicks you awake and makes it all work again. In this case, I just signed up for an online novel writing course -- something one does because in amongst all the stuff you already know, there is hopefully one sentence, or two, phrased in just the right way that it resonates in your brain and it makes you work again.

This time around it was so very simple -- but instead of suggesting basic exercises (pair these nouns with these verbs and see what fun sentences you get!!) the first writing exercise was to write down some of the scenes you have already imagined about the book. They didn't have to be good (they never do, we all know that about first drafts. . . ) but just write some. Pick the ones that have been marinating in your brain, no matter how out of order, no matter if you don't know where they fit in (oh, but of course, I know where they fit in, have I mentioned my 30 page outline recently??) but do it.

Suddenly I had an exercise that also was part of my first draft. A silly crutch to require, but damn if it wasn't exactly what I needed. I realized that there are 5 or 6 scenes floating around my head, and it was time to jump from that point one-third the way into the book where I had stopped and go for some of the good stuff. (Sex scenes, anyone?)

Anyway, this is just to say that the writing has been flowing the last week. . .