Month: December 2015

I've been thrown off my writing game in the past six weeks.  I'm off track, rusty and stiff.  I've been renovating a house, packing up the house we lived in for twelve years, and moving to the new place.  Writing didn't just take a back seat--it wasn't even in the car with me for a while there.

Now, although I'm still living mostly out of boxes, I'm feeling my writing calling to me again.  Blogging, newsletters, journals, stories.  I need to restart.  It's feeling like a bit much right now, though.  I'm still trying to sort things out after the move, so I hit overwhelm very easily.

So I did what I usually do when I'm overwhelmed.  I made a list.  Here, for anyone else needing to re-enter their writing life, is my list of small steps to help you get going again.

• Write for two minutes.  Alternately, write two sentences.
• Read through your current project. Don't make notes, do revisions, anything except read.
• Make a list of the things you want to work on; pick one to start with then work on it for five minutes.
• Write a backstory scene for your MC--a dream scene, daydream scene, the MC having dinner alone or with family or friends, anything that is interesting and lets you know your character better.
• Get all of your stuff together. All of your notes and files and notebooks. All of your files and documents on your computer.  Sort and arrange them and get reacquainted.
• Start something new.  Sometimes a fresh project with no time invested, no weight behind it yet, can help rev your writing engines.
• Try an online writing site. My faves: One Minute Writer, Daily Page, 750words.com, Oneword.
• Meet with a writer friend or friends.  Talk about books and movies. Talk about your writing and what you want to do with it.  Be writers together and inspire each other.

Anything to add to the list?  What do you like to do when your writing needs a reboot?  I'd love to hear your ideas.  Let's add to the list!