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Dealing with Doubt

Ever have those moments when you're certain you can't write? Where it seems as if all the hours you've invested into this story and these characters are a colossal waste of time?

I have. But I figure these doubts are pretty normal for writers, which means I can usually push aside such nasty thoughts and keep writing.

Lately I've been in a real funk. I'm not worried that what I'm writing is awful because I just can't seem to write. Every time I sit down to try the mind goes blank and the eyes glaze over.

New ideas aren't sparking.

Current stories feel dead.

Past projects seem dismal failures.

I don't like feeling this way. Not at all. It's not normal for me. Even when the writing isn't going well, the passion has always been there. Yet, it seems the passion has disappeared and only the need to write remains. Every thing I look at or consider feels forced or contrived. The characters feel flat. The conflict laughable.

I refuse to allow this funk to continue. The problem is everything I've tried has failed. I guess the only thing to do is keep writing and wait for the sparks to fly.

Comments

  1. Moi8:51 AM

    Yeah, it's something most writers go through at some point.

    Have tried reading a REALLY BAD published book? Sometimes the errors in those are enough to crack the wall of my funk. Sometimes it's the really good ones that will inspire, but more often the BAD ones for me. Ask me or June for suggestions. ;)

    It could also be that your creative mind is knackered and just wants to have a bit of a lazy day--maybe turning to a different creative endeavor (I will crochet, personally) and that will allow the writing centers to recharge. This works for me more often than not, FWIW.

    Just some things that come to mind since pushing through isn't working.

    Good luck, Krista! See you 'round.

    --Andi

    ReplyDelete
  2. Colin10:31 AM

    It'll happen, Krista. A change could be as good as a rest, or maybe even all you need is just a rest.

    Take a notebook into a new place outdoors - always does it for me. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous12:10 PM

    I agree with Andi. I've noticed that my brain is thinking about web pages and blogs and while I've been mulling that over, the "backbrain", as June calls it, has been working on the novel. So, maybe you just need a break. Good luck. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Josh3:30 PM

    mmph. yep. i get that too. the difficulty for me is that i do something else for awhile...and then it's six months later and i still haven't gone back to it.

    grr...

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous8:57 PM

    I am in a funk like that right now. Evertime I try to write something it sounds so forced or I just can't stand it... because it doesn't have the spark my other writings did.

    I wonder why these situations come. Hopefull yours will leave soon.

    <3-
    Crystal

    ReplyDelete

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