Well, here I am again – trying to be a blogger. I opened this account some time ago but for some reason could not proceed. I don’t know why. I think I wasn’t prepared to let people (the world) into my personal life. I felt I had things to say that might be interesting but I didn’t really want to give up anything that might be too revealing about who I really was. I’m sure this isn’t anything new for first time bloggers.
However, I still felt that blogs might be a great way to connect with other writers so here I am – warts and all. I’ll give this a try for a while and see how it goes.
To start, I thought I’d ask if anyone has experienced what’s happened to me and my writing over the last year. A few years ago I started to write a novel that I was excited about (and still am) but after reaching a point in the story I knew I couldn’t continue unless I actually visited the setting. (I know! I know! But it was crucial that this location be used.) Up until this point I used the internet and books to get all the ’atmosphere’ elements I needed. So, I used some holiday time and flew to my literary location. What I got there for the novel was above and beyond anything I imagined. It was perfect. I came back with full notebooks and photographs. I organized it all and set it out in front of me and have been staring at ever since.
What have I done? Any thoughts?
Mmmmmmm…have you tried selecting a few pictures or notes? Take just one or two pictures and try to start there, rather than spreading out everything. Too much information can be as staggering as too little, I think.
I think you’re right. I think I was overwhelmed by all the information and visual data.
Thanks
At the very least you put your frustration/fears into action. Good for you, and only better writing will come from it. Get your pencil out, and continue!
Ah, I was too quick with my response: do you feel better and are you more productive as a result of your visiting the site?
Suggestion to cure writer’s block:
Write a crappy first draft as quickly as you can. Remember no one has to see it until you decide. Writing springs from writing. If you think you have to be brilliant as soon as your pen touches the paper or your fingers the keyboard, you are lost.
Don’t give up.
Maria
Great start and wonderful to be able to just jet set to a location in your writing. That would be heaven. I feel you already have the startings of what your novel will be. You just have to sit down and make yourself write, like Maria said. Even if it starts out awful.