I write stuff for kids...and muse on writing, children's books, and the publishing industry in general

Monday, November 15, 2010

Dealing with "Blah Days"...

Ever had one of those days where you just don't? You know, don't want to write, don't want to be bothered, don't want to do anything other than stay in bed and eat chocolate all day... Hmm, I think I'm having one of those days right now.

I'm not feeling 100%, you see, and that always takes its toll. But in addition to that, I'm trying to wrap my head around a rather large change in direction for my manuscript, thanks to all the fantastic feedback I've had lately from my critique partners and you guys in the posts where I've shared bits of my wip.

It's so hard. I know it will ultimately make FROM THE OTHER SIDE much stronger, and give a much better idea of the characters behind the events. But I've gotten used to my wip being one way, and it kind of throws you for a loop to turn in another direction.

So...in an effort to kick-start my writing, I thought I'd turn to blogging instead (I'm sure there's some logic in there somewhere). I gave myself the length of 3 paragraphs to have my teensy whinge, and now I'm telling myself sternly to snap out of it.

Wait for it...


...



You know, I think it might even be working. Just getting these thoughts out on paper (ahem, the computer) seems to be doing the trick.

Woohoo!!! I'm even starting to feel a little more motivated again. Next stop, revising the manuscript, baby!



What do you do to snap yourself out of a Blah Day? (I might try that next time)

14 comments:

The Sisterhood said...

I remember -- "I'm determined", "I'm determined", I'm determined" no matter what anyone says about my manuscript. Hope that helps!

♥ Mary Mary

Christopher said...

working out is the best way to snap out of it, but i rarely feel like working out on a blah day

Michael Di Gesu said...

Rach,

I feel like that at least three times a week! lol.

I definitely turn to blogging. There is always some pearls of wisdom( On Roland's blog) A quirky upbeat story or bit of new from YOU.... Finding a new blogfest. Meeting new people that just happen to stop by an follow. It all works for me.

I also find getting OUT of the house helps. I live in Chicago and just walking across the street, I am in a beautiful park facing a pond with Canadian geese and ducks everywhere. This time of her they flock together zooming around the city, It's an awesome sight.

Thanks for the thumbs up Rach, I write my posts from now on. I don't want anyone to have a hard time reading them.

I seem to be going through a major restructuring myself, Miss Snarks logline and the Secret Agent are steering me in a different direction to help improve my MS.

Good luck and don't feel BLAH! Life has many wonderful things in store for you...

Michael

Joanna St. James said...

Hey Rach you got any ideas for a blah month? hang in there and truth be told working out or a morning jog does help (do what I say and not what I do I have not seen the inside of a gym in months but i remember feeling invigorated)

C. N. Nevets said...

I get trashed on Listerine.

C. N. Nevets said...

Just kidding.

Colene Murphy said...

Bahaha C.N. just made me snort.
Good luck getting the changes in. If they improve your MS I'm sure you will love it once it's done.

Bast said...

I was having a blah day myself on Sunday. I wanted to edit my manuscript. I had it out. Colored pens. Post its. Highlighters. Everything. I just couldn't start.

I made myself get out of the house. I went to a bookstore and walked around. I came back and read. Ultimately, I never got back to the manuscript on Sunday, but after getting out and then reading, I felt more myself.

Golden Eagle said...

I blog, or I read; sometimes I go for a walk to think.

Love Nevets's comment.

Jackee said...

Naps are great. My brain loves to sleep on an idea. Long bubble baths work well too. :o)

I'm having a blah week too and am grateful for everyone's suggestions! Chin up to us all!

Adina West said...

I like that Listerine tip by C.N. Nevets! At the very least, that stuff would wake you up, and make the chocolate you wanted to eat in bed taste kinda funny...

So glad a blog post turned your mood around. And remember there are squillions of us out here on a given day feeling just as blah about writing, so maybe with that thought alone we can inspire each other to break the blah cycle.

:-)

Anonymous said...

Sometimes you can get the best inspiration for a new direction on a blah day. I remember having one a while back where I thought I'd get no writing done, external forces were against me, and then out of nowhere the afternoon allowed me to write and the words just flowed. (That's kind of why I don't have a schedule - such an amateur I know) Do let us know if it helped you to have a blah day Rach!

Rachael Harrie said...

You guys are so awesome!!!

@Mary Mary, that's just the right sort of thing to be telling myself!

@Christopher, I so agree :)

@Michael (*blushes*) Thanks so much. I know there's great things in store for you as well. Can't wait to find out more about your First Gift story and to see the new direction you're taking your manuscript :)

@Joanna, LOL, you crack me up girl!!! Hope next month is better for you...

@C.N., I swear I choked on my tea when I read this, what a way to brighten the day!!! :P

@Colene, Thanks so much :} I do like them already, it's just wrapping my head around them that's hard! But I've made progress this week, so all's good :)

@Quinn, sometimes it's the best answer of all, isn't it, taking a mental health day from writing! :)

@Golden, so true :)

@Jackee, great ideas. Hope your blah week has improved :)

@Adina, such great thinking. Perhaps we should declare one week a month "blah week"!!! Then we can all support each other :)

@Kangaroobee, I think it did help you know. So glad you got back to your writing, I remember when you were a bit down, really glad to see all is working out now :)

aisyahputrisetiawan said...


Banned complain !! Complaining only causes life and mind become more severe. Enjoy the rhythm of the problems faced. No matter ga life, not a problem not learn, so enjoy it :)

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