by Alan Orloff
I must have been a good guest (or at least not a terrible
one), because I’ve been invited back to blog. Thanks, Working Stiffs! (This
time, I promise to clean up after myself.)
Last time, I blogged about the stages I go through when I’m about
to start a new writing project. Today, I thought I would offer a few
suggestions about keeping an existing project moving forward when you’re
feeling stuck.
Sometimes, it can be tough.
When a project is new, anything is possible—your optimism is
boundless. Remember all that crisp, unspoiled filler paper on the first day of
fourth grade, just sitting in your looseleaf notebook, waiting to be turned
into a masterpiece? Same kind of thing here, except instead of “What I Did Over
Summer Vacation,” you’re determined to pen the Great American Novel.
But after twenty thousand words (insert your own number
here), the excitement and enthusiasm may start to wane. The characters aren’t
quite what you imagined. The plot seems a little “off.” The dialogue sounds a
bit stilted. There’s nothing “Great” about your novel. How can you keep plowing
through, once the enthusiasm and excitement erode? (Or worse, plummet like a
stone.)
Here are some things I’ve found to be helpful:
Set a quota and stick to it. I’ve said this before,
but setting a daily word quota—and sticking to it—almost guarantees you’ll get
your project finished. Be disciplined! (I’ve said this before, too, but
sometimes I get up in the middle a sentence once I’ve hit my quota.) Don’t
worry so much about the quality of the work; you can always fix it up during
the revision process!
Try doubling your quota. Sometimes you can simply
power your way back on track, especially if you can get into that all-powerful
Writing Zone (notice the capital letters).
Skip ahead to a different scene. Sometimes skipping
ahead to a different, and possibly more exciting, scene may kickstart things.
Outliners: Change your outline. Maybe your writing
has slowed down because, on some level, you know you’re going in the wrong
direction. Don’t be a slave to your outline! Modify it as you go along, if it
serves the story better. (Pantsers: Maybe you could try changing your pants.)
Try writing in a different location or at a different
time of day. Many writers head down to the local coffee shop, bookstore, or
library to write. Fewer distractions and more caffeine (assuming you can ignore
the stares of the baristas, or all those books on the shelves, calling your
name). If you’re a morning writer, try writing at night, and vice versa.
Try a different atmosphere. If you usually write in
silence, try writing with a soundtrack (or with kids screaming in the
background). If you usually write in an isolated place, try finding a spot
right in the middle of some hubbub (train station, shopping mall, Occupy Wall
Street gathering).
Talk to some other writers. Most of the writers I
know are interesting, engaging people. I find that talking to them re-energizes
me and gets me back in the mood to crank out some words. (Yes, I know a few writers
are twisted and deranged. They’re also fun to talk with, even if they make you
a little nervous.)
Good luck with your next Great American Novel/Edgar winner!
Alan Orloff’s latest book, DEADLY CAMPAIGN, is the second
in the Last Laff Mystery series (released this week!). He’s also written KILLER
ROUTINE (Last Laff #1) and DIAMONDS FOR
THE DEAD (a Best First Novel Agatha Award finalist). Writing as Zak Allen, he’s
published THE TASTE (horror) and FIRST TIME KILLER (thriller), both ebook
originals. For more information visit www.alanorloff.com
