Last month I said I was going to be disappearing for a while to work on a new project. Today I am here today to tell you it's in full swing. I have spent the past month compiling background information from various sources and organizing it in a way that works for my crazy brain. I have taken this week off from work and spent all my time so far diving in. It's amazing how much I can do with such a big block of time alone. I'm in the deep end and loving it!
To summarize the experience, 2 statements come to mind...
Starting is the hardest part
My biggest challenge has always been getting initial ideas to stop floating around on my brain and getting them down on a page. It sounds easy enough but when I sit down to write, I always feel as if everything comes to be at once. That leads to a massive overwhelming feeling and it ends there. It has taken a while but enough of the initial work is on paper, and now it is so much easier to move forward.
Don't look back...always forward
Although this is a popular mantra, for me at this moment it's an important one. The nature of this project is working into the future. If I spend too much time making comparisons or referring to the past, I will lose focus on what and why it's important. Focus is key!
Has anyone else struggled with getting started and moving forward?
Finding focus is so important, especially when writing. Staying focused is huge! It's a fine-tuned skill that constantly needs to be nurtured and developed.
ReplyDeleteI seem to do all right with starting. It's finishing that I struggle with.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you have found your focus and are enjoying your writing. Good luck and keep moving forward :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I've been away from a hiatused book for awhile, it can be hard to regain all that momentum or get back in swing with the characters. But once I get over that initial hump, the words usually start flowing again.
ReplyDeleteIf it's working, just keep moving forward.
ReplyDeleteI would love to take a week off. For anything at this point!
Yay on your progress! That's great news.
ReplyDeleteYes. I have trouble between projects -- when one ends and it becomes time to pick up the next. But I settle in ... after some stern words. :)
Starting is the hardest point for me. I plan and plan and plan.
ReplyDeleteThat's right - don't look back, keep plowing forward, and now that you're started there's no stopping you. Enjoy that deep end!!
ReplyDeleteNo I don't have any trouble getting ideas or starting just finishing!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on you new project. Finding a focus and then running with it is an accomplishment you should be proud of.
ReplyDeleteHi, I too struggle with starting a new book, I just can't stop planning long enough to start typing that story.
ReplyDeleteGetting started is the hardest part for me, but once I've started I find it difficult to stop. :)
ReplyDeleteYep. I'm still there at the starting line!
ReplyDeleteAnna
Very good advice! Happy International Women's Day, Heather!
ReplyDeleteGood for you!
ReplyDeleteThe hardest part for me is getting started...with revisions! :)
Hi so glad to visit your blog-- I'm helping Alex with hosting duties for IWSG. Starting is hard for me, but it's usually a fear-factor issue. Once I get going, then yes, no looking back! Good for you for going and moving and doing it.
ReplyDeleteCongrats! Keep on going! For me the first page is always the hardest but once I get the plot on paper, adding and editing is where the fun starts. =)
ReplyDeletecongrats on your new project
ReplyDeleteTime is a big issue for me... I've just gotta make some ;)
Lynda R Young
IWSG co-host
Getting started is always the hardest part for me. It is just so hard to get up the motivation to just begin and not feel overwhelmed by everything in my head. I have to single out one thing or one path of ideas just to get something, anything on the page
ReplyDeleteGetting started is hard. Keeping at it is hard. I admire your continuing efforts!
ReplyDeleteHeather, I hope you'll consider joining my bloggers' book club. Here are the details: http://armchairsquid.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-cephalopod-coffeehouse-july-blog.html