Spice of Life
It’s amazing how much you can get done not writing when you are supposed to be writing. Doing laundry becomes a pleasure when avoiding that deadline that’s only seven hours away. What you can see of your neighbors through the window suddenly becomes the most riveting display of drama and action you have ever seen when there is a scene in your novel you’re not looking forward to writing.
Working on one project and one project only can be an admirable thing - be it only working on your one professional blog or working on your one novel. However, not coming up for air, so to say, can leave you drowning in boredom and lack of inspiration. Spreading yourself too thin is the other side of the spectrum, but a little variety in your writing projects could be just the thing to help you get more done and keep you on track.
Like seeing the same person day in and day out, no matter how much you like him or her, you tend to get sick of him or her. The person need not do anything other than always be there.
The same goes for your writing. Going back to the same world, same characters, for so many days in a row might be a joy for you, but if you’re like me and a lot of other writers, you’ll get bored. Maybe even annoyed.
Working through those moments is part of being a writer, but they don’t have to occur so often if you have multiple projects.
If you’re getting annoyed, bored, or even angry with your novel, how about writing a few articles on other subjects you like? If you have a personal blog, do that for a while before getting back to what was frustrating you. If your writing means blogging, try signing up for or starting more blogs on different subjects. If you already have multiple blogs, look around at other blogs and volunteer to guest post for other blogs.
By keeping an alternatives open - alternatives that will only further your name and not waste your time, mind you - you’ll be able to combat boredom by always having something useful on hand to do.
June 21st, 2007 at 5:20 pm
Exactly! This is why I always keep a notebook nearby when I’m doing housework.
June 21st, 2007 at 7:56 pm
Yep! Good on you, Elisa.
June 21st, 2007 at 10:46 pm
“Like seeing the same person day in and day out, no matter how much you like him or her, you tend to get sick of him or her. The person need not do anything other than always be there.” Um… so I should go away for a while?
*grins*
June 21st, 2007 at 10:47 pm
Hehehehehe. You don’t count because we (usually) don’t see each other during the day.