It’s not unusual
at all. Many people sink into slumps. It doesn’t matter whether the
endeavor is drafting a novel, repairing a plumbing problem, or needing a good
time. When summer doldrums settle in, everything is a chore and nothing seems
important or fun enough to act on. It’s late August, afternoons are hot and I’m
deep into the ho-hums.
Looking back to
the months of May and June, it seems almost inconceivable, now, that I took a
story idea that had been floating around in my head for months and hammered out
roughly forty thousand words and took the story arc to near mid-point in less
than four weeks. It was an exciting time. I babbled on to my wife incessantly
about taking the story this way or that. So much so, in fact, her eyes would
glaze over with disinterest and her head would go into automatic nod mode. That
didn’t matter, because I was into it and eager to progress the story.
Lately, I’ve
been coming into my backyard to my little sanctuary where I do my writing and
stare at the novel draft. If I get five hundred words down, it’s a miracle. Since
that time in late spring, little has been added to the draft. I have slammed
head-on into the summer doldrums.
Of course, I
hope you read and can identify with this blog, maybe even enjoy it. But, the
cold truth is, I’m writing this entry instead of working on the novel draft as
a possible means of jump starting the mojo and get my head back into the writing
game.
Before I had a
blog to vent and share thoughts, I indulged often in “free-writing”. It’s a
technique for overcoming such times as these. It’s easy. Sit at a keyboard and
begin typing. Type what? You may ask. It doesn’t matter. Whatever is crossing
your mind. Complete sentences? That doesn’t matter either. I assure you that,
at some point in the process, thoughts will become cogent and you will begin
writing an honest story, article, or essay and intended none of it when the
process began. It’s amazing how it works. In fact, it works better when all
thoughts are random and seemingly unconnected. That’s when the sub-conscious
takes over and eventually settles on what is most important while in league with
your fingers on the keyboard. If your thoughts are already solid, there’s no
need to be free-writing anyhow. Just sit down and get busy on your writing
project. But, if you sink into an unmotivated, directionless slump, give it a
try. Honestly, early in my writing career, free-writing turned into several
award winning short stories. And, that’s the truth.
I’m feeling
better now. Sharing has a way of doing that. Have a wonderful day, y’all!
