Branching out with my writing
Yes, it’s time…
One of your favorite characters has to meet his demise.
You’ve written yourself [your character, actually] into a corner.
Buck up, put on your ‘audacious author’ pants, and lead him off the pier.
So to speak.
To coin a phrase.
As it were.
Need a little help with this challenging next step?
There is prewriting. That’s good.
And then there’s prewriting hysteria. Not so good.
Create a basic framework as a starting point and let inspiration and imagination fill in the blanks.
**
Contradiction alert!
However, if you’ve signed onto a previously promoted two-month ‘finish this!’ program, well, just ignore the first draft suggestion above.
Hey, it’s the writing life! No one said it would make sense.
Sometimes it helps to see your opposition.
Could one of these faces match up with that nagging voice of resistance?
Go ahead. Select one that fits, give him or her a name, print it out, and put it on a dart board. You are better than these self-righteous, judgmental naysayers.
The voice is back.
Today’s message: “Forget this aimless pastime. Spend time with family, friends, pets, yard work…fill in the blank. Something constructive, something that leaves a mark.”
[Notice I didn’t mention the dirty dishes.]
Hang in there. Today’s haunting is just another version of resistance, another creeping doubt meant to undermine your creative work.
Suggestion: write a quick note to ‘the voice’.
Other than this brief authorial detour, make it clear it won’t deter you. [Nice that you’re engaging in the very activity the voice wants to inhibit, by the way.]
Use a large font size. Print it out. Post it above the computer.
Some folks even name the voice and put a face to it. Sounds like a hint at the next entry…
Word Inventions