the tip of the saturday
I am currently working on two things simultaneously, a short story and a novel. That’s my new way of getting past writer’s block (at least to the point where it becomes intolerable): writing something else that I have to write anyway.
I’m approaching a difficult point in my novel, a point that also marks the beginning of the ending as it will be the major turnover of my protagonist’s character. I hope that I’ll be able to find her even more higher point where to jump from here. I think yes: there’s still love and sacrifice, that should be higher up the ropes than revenge.
Anyway, I just found a cool trick to get over a tricky beginning of the scene. When I’m pondering how to do the entrance or the description or whatever, and I just don’t see it and can’t get myself started, I ask myself: is this essential to the plot? No? Then I don’t have to write it, at least not now. Next: what is essential to the plot in the planned scene? Good, then write it. And if the description is necessary, stick it in later.
Off to actually write something now 
Hi Ieva,
I just wanted to leave a note, to let you know I really enjoy your blog and check for updates every few days. Since we joined HtTS at about the same time (where I go by estuary), I’ve always appreciated your ‘voice’ in the forum, and your straightforward approach to writing.
Like you mentioned in this post, I tried some double-writing and it was a great help as I faltered over the initial stages of writing my WIP. I got a short story out of it and eased into the WIP and it’s coming along just fine.
Just out of curiosity, where did you get the nifty word-count progress widget? I’d like to add something like that to my blog…
Best wishes!
Oh, hello estuary
I’m glad you’re reading, and even more so about that something in this blog/forums helped.
By the way, I got Holly’s “finding your writing discipline” from the students’ shop, and it helped a lot. Advice to blog every day (or, since I often find myself running horribly dry on words, at least every second day) about your progress is working.
When writing two stories at once, especially when they both are approaching the rough parts (those pre-climax moments, ugh) it’s a rather horrible balance of “I better plot the next Vega scene because otherwise, I’ll have to figure out a way to do a backstory in The Longest Night, and I don’t want to do *that*, do I?”.
The wordcount widget is from writertopia — http://www.writertopia.com/toolbox
thanks! I’ve installed the widget!
I’ve been eyeing “finding your writing discipline” – but so far I’ve managed to find a “small” discipline that works (only a few days per week for now, but it’s something)… and since it works, I’ll just keep it in mind though for future use.
I realized my family is not disciplined enough to let me work at hoe, but I’m disciplined enough to get out of the house and to an environment where I can maintain my focus – so far so good
oops, that should be “work at home” darned itchy trigger finger hit submit before I’d actually re-read…
@neighbor
LOL, I know what you mean about family not being disciplined enough. I rarely get mine to cooperate. The kids are learning though, the boy (who is 7) tells everybody off because he’s writing poetry, and the girl (who is 2), after pouncing me and nearly breaking my netbook, chases the brother away, yelling “don’t bother Mommy!”