Since the midweek NaNoPost I've been dealing with things that don't belong in my writing space that I let get into my writing space. Why? Well, I had the best of intentions. It was important. I thought I could sort it out quickly and get back to work. And I didn't, not for two days, and it wrecked me and derailed the decent momentum I had going with the NaNoNovel.
People who are not writers often have very little idea of how much havoc they can create in the writing space. At times it's the equivalent of going to someone's workplace to empty a garbage can on their desk in front of their boss while shrieking obscenities at them. Kind of difficult to get back to being a happy, productive worker after someone subjects you to that.
So what do you do when someone intrudes and dumps their garbage in your writing space? I believe the writer has to first get them out of it. The next task is to clean up the mess they made and carry out the trash they left behind. Once the writing space is restored to optimum working conditions, the writer can then make peace with what happened and get back to work.
Easier said than done, I know. Sometimes you have to relocate your writing space, become very creative with handling other people's garbage, or even take some time away from work to clear your head, focus, and find a way back to where you were before this happened.
After an intrusion, I depend on meditation and work to reset my head and help me cope. It never happens fast enough to suit me, but I've also learned that pretending me and my writing space haven't been trashed doesn't work. I do know better than to stop writing, even when I have to work through days when I can't produce a single decent sentence. I write badly anyway. The very act of writing anything is quietly, enormously healing.
I'm hoping today that I get back on track. If not, I'll keep working until I do. I may not always guard my writing space as I should, but as long as I keep writing there, it will always be my sanctuary.
In case anyone is interested in seeing some excerpts from my NaNoNovel, I posted one at the groupblog last Saturday and another at the Stories blog today.
Sending all my very best wishes and understanding. Writing space I get for a author's mind I have.
ReplyDeleteAll the very best.
I hear that.
ReplyDeleteMy family are usually very careful not to interrupt the flow during November, but sometimes a mischievous elf will infect them and they just have to visit, must chat.
Good manners dictate I make coffee, try to pay attention, when all I want is to get back to it.
Love 'em madly, but sometimes...
OMG! Those excerpts are AWESOME! Can't wait to see the whole thing!
ReplyDeleteI read the one excerpt at Stories before coming here. I want it.
ReplyDeleteLong Overdue
I haven't made it by here in a while, but was looking for info on WriteWayPro and a post your wrote on it in 2005 came up in a search! Then I saw your NaNoWriMo word count and had to congratulate you! Hope to stop by more often. Way to stick with NaNo!
ReplyDeleteMichele
SouthernCityMysteries
I have to clear out my writing space, too. Was it something in the water? Love, love, love your NaNo project. Cannot wait to read the whole book.
ReplyDeleteI have a family who lives to talk to me. I don't know why they feel this need for conversation or interaction from me. I just want to write. :) Up until this last six months, my family was gone during the day. I had time to write. Now, with college and work schedules, I'm never alone in the house and I can't get them to understand that what I'm doing needs my concentration. If I had a new battery for my laptop, I'd take off to a coffee shop or B&N during the day.
ReplyDeleteAll that said (I know, lately I've been a chatterbox too!) I understand what happens when your workspace is interrupted/messed up. And sometimes, it takes me days and days to get back into it. *sigh* You're still moving along way better than I can right now.
Hmmm, it seems like the perfect type of post for dealing with family issues with expliciting saying what those issues are.
ReplyDeleteI've discovered that I get incredibly irritated when family members use "my" felt-tip pen, leave their notes on "my" desk, move "my" books or leave their notes on "my" whiteboard. It gets especially difficult when its my children doing truly loving things. I want to modify their behavior, not dis any affection they might still have for me.
Then there's the more intense misadventures that can crush any desire to get to work.
Fortunately, if you love what you're doing, getting back into it helps revive the desire. Sort of like "faking it until you feel it." It really does work, but you have to find your own path into that space.
I can't wait to have the full book in my hands. Or my screen, or wherever. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI've been dealing with that the past few days, which has ruined the momentum of my Nano Novel quite a bit. I find that it is difficult to get into the writing mode today, but I won't leave this chair til I reach my quota.
ReplyDeleteI have 21,766 words and I hope to reach 23k...if not more.
Lynn, I'm feeling for you. But I know you'll push past this! And if it makes you feel any better...your novel sounds amazing. Makes mine pathetic actually.
Interruptions drive me crazy. Takes so long to get back "in character". Finally got to the point where I didn't write when anyone was home.
ReplyDeleteYou, Lynn Viehl, do not "write badly." Even in your down moments, you inspire because you are honest. A priceless gift I never take lightly. Thank you for being who you are.
ReplyDeleteI hope this one gets published. Loved both excerpts.
ReplyDelete