Binge Writing

[BradyH1861]

Okay,

Does anyone else have this "problem"? When I am "inspired", I can lock myself upstairs in my office at home and write 15 to 20 pages of decent stuff. And then not write another thing for weeks.

I dont think I have a writers block problem, really, I think it is more of a lack of motivation. Anyone else struggle with this?

Brady H.

[HConn]

I used to.

I trained my writing to show up when I wanted to work. Essentially, I learned to prime my muse. I start writing, eventually, the inspiration kicks in.

Takes lots of unpleasant practice, though.

[ZaZ]

I suffer this daily.
I'll even do things to avoid writing sometimes.
Like drink!

[alaskamatt17]

Who says the practice has to be unpleasant?

Just kidding, I understand. But I must say that I've enjoyed writing even when the inspiration hasn't come. I've slogged my way through 2,000 words only to look back and think every one of them was wretched. But I had fun putting them down, and they turned out to not be so bad after all.

I definitely agree that practice must be done. I'm not sure I'm through with my practice yet. In fact, I know I'm not. I won't ever be. But it's nice to think that I have a decent start.

[JanaLanier]

"You can't wait for inspiration.

You have to go after it with a club."

-Jack London

[WVWriterGirl]

I'm right there with ya. When an idea hits me, it hits hard, and I've had days when my production-driven job has suffered because of it. It seems like it's feast or famine around here, though. Its not so much that I don't have the motivation to do the writing, my brain just keeps rejecting the ideas my heart throws out, or won't let me get started on them. It is quite frustrating.

WVWG

[Coco82]

Kinda. I won't write for two days and then can write at least 1,000 words (I usually write 500 words a day). It isn't a real problem though.

[jdkiggins]

Yes, Brady. This happened to me quite often until I made my mind up to set a daily word count for myself. Even with that I sat looking at a blank screen. Now I do a daily writing exercise every morning while I have my coffee. Normally that exercise gets my creative juices flowing again.

Joanne

[sgtsdaughter]

i don't have a word count, but i make myself write for a hour everyday--on whatever the current project is (these days that's a dissertation), and then when i get the "drainage" out of the way i write on whatever my heart wants. and sometimes, that's pretty raunchy.

seriously, just try making yourself write something everyday . . . i know lots of people that works for--page a day syndrome.

[BradyH1861]

Glad to know I'm not the only one this happens too. (I figured there might be others out there, but I had to ask to be sure)

I think I am going to try the one page a day thing. I guess even if I write a page of crap, it is at least a page, right. And over time the pages might even be halfway decent. (I am also a perfectionist.....which I know share with many of you....nothing you write is ever good enough, etc)

I just have a real lack of discipline I guess. I am very disciplined at work (unless I am pulling the latest prank on the police department....long story) but at home I get distracted a little too easy. There are always movies to watch, books to read, and this forum.

Do posts count as the daily writing?

Brady H.

[Anatole Ghio]

Do posts count as the daily writing?

Brady H.

If they help you to get warmed up for your writing, then posts count.

Personally, posting on the internet does nothing for me as far as getting warmed up to write... if anything, they are simply a distraction.

The only thing that really works for me is sitting down and banging out a page or two... once I do that, it's much easier to be focused on the real writing.

- Anatole

[zornhau]

Okay,

Does anyone else have this "problem"? When I am "inspired", I can lock myself upstairs in my office at home and write 15 to 20 pages of decent stuff. And then not write another thing for weeks.

I dont think I have a writers block problem, really, I think it is more of a lack of motivation. Anyone else struggle with this?

Brady H.

I used to get this. I tended to dry up after 10 pages because I didn't have enough conflict in place.

In fact, 20 pages is probably as much conflict-free lyrical description, observation, character sketch etc etc as it's possible to write without losing motivation.

My cure was making sure there were enough competing players in the pit before the games began. (This eventually led me to outlining, but you can set things up properly and still write from the inside if you prefer).

[Jamesaritchie]

Okay,

Does anyone else have this "problem"? When I am "inspired", I can lock myself upstairs in my office at home and write 15 to 20 pages of decent stuff. And then not write another thing for weeks.

I dont think I have a writers block problem, really, I think it is more of a lack of motivation. Anyone else struggle with this?

Brady H.

"By making writing a part of your daily routine--just like brushing your teeth--you'll discipline yourself to work as a writer instead of a hobbyist who only writes when there's some fun to be had." --Theresa Grant

"The difference between a pro writer and an amateur writer is quite often very small. The pro writer is simply one who has learned that Inspiration and Motivation are the laziest of muses. Both will sleep for days on end, and the only way to wake them up is to go to the keyboard and make so much noise they can't sleep." --James Ireland.

Seriously, I think the only solution is to work, to make writing each and every day a habit, to learn that writing isn't about inspiration or motivation, it's about planting your butt on the chair and writing. They say it only takes twenty-one days for the average person to form a habit. Do anything for twenty-one days in a row, whether it's smoking, drinking, or writing, and it becomes a habit.

Then again, I may not be the one to talk about this. I enjoy the process of writing, and of all the ways I have to spend my time, writing is the one I prefer. If I didn't love coming into my office and writing, if I had to depend on Inspiration or Motivation, I'd probably find some other way of using up whatever hours life has allotted me.

If I ever needed Motivation, I suspect time is it. When I was born, someone forgot to tell me how many years I would live, how many hours I would have to get something done that mattered. More than anything, I'd hate looking back at my life to find I'd wasted the hours I had because Inspiration or Motivation didn't show up to nudge me along.

And if all else fails, try this: http://www.bethpattillo.com/id8.html

[BlueTexas]

If they help you to get warmed up for your writing, then posts count.

The only thing that really works for me is sitting down and banging out a page or two... once I do that, it's much easier to be focused on the real writing.

- Anatole


When I sit down to write, I start in a journal. Writing with a pen seems to get my brain flowing faster than hitting keys. Plus, in a journal, I am allowed to write utter crap, which frees my creativity up. When I start out thinking I have to write my best, I get sucked dry fast. Sometimes it's page of crap, sometimes it's four or five, but it works for me. And lately, often as not, I'll find a thread of something in my journal to turn into a story.

[Jakalyn]

Yes, Brady! This is exactly what happens to me on a regular basis. I will sit down and start on my WIP and get lost in it. Last week I wrote 12,000 words in 3 days! And, amazingly, they were mostly decent words, actually flowing the correct direction and leading the story where it needs to go. Then, I stopped writing for one day, and then couldn't seem to be able to motivate myself to write more on it. Now, I haven't touched it in a week.
I know that if I would just force my butt into this chair for long enough that it would all start flowing again and i could pick right up where I left off. I think maybe it's the binge part that's causing some of the problem. Since I know that if I sit here and actually get off into it again, it means my house will not get clean, my husband and kids will feel neglected, and I will not be able to stop myself because I cannot type anywhere near as fast as the story is coming. I look forward to the writing, I dread the being stuck at the keyboard. So i continue to put it off.

I have no suggestions how to solve this problem, just thought I'd share my situation.

[Nateskate]

I have a different problem. Sometimes I have to wrestle with phrasing. I can get a ton of material written, but when I go back to edit, I do a first edit to fill in what needs filling, and delete what needs to be deleted. Then I go and do a grammatical edit, then I re-read to make sure I didn't miss anything.

Unfortunately, I do miss things. Well, even if I love my story, I dread having to re-read it in such a short space for a third time. I've had to force myself to stay with this, because its much easier for me to go and write a whole new book than edit one.

[Anatole Ghio]

When I sit down to write, I start in a journal. Writing with a pen seems to get my brain flowing faster than hitting keys. Plus, in a journal, I am allowed to write utter crap, which frees my creativity up. When I start out thinking I have to write my best, I get sucked dry fast. Sometimes it's page of crap, sometimes it's four or five, but it works for me. And lately, often as not, I'll find a thread of something in my journal to turn into a story.

This is exactly how I've been generating material for my blog. I write a page or two in my journal, always with some technique I want to practice, in order to warm up for working on my other stuff. Then I come back later and pull out anything that can be turned into an actual story and put it into my blog... the really great thing about this is not only do I warm myself up and practice a new technique or two, but all the journal pieces clock in around 200-300 words, the perfect length for a blog entry.

So not only can freewriting help to get you into a more creative mind, it can also generate material for later stories. Win, win!

- Anatole

[Jamesaritchie]

I have no suggestions how to solve this problem, just thought I'd share my situation.

The solution is to sit down and write. This is always the solution. If you don't want to write so long that husband and kids are neglected, then download a timer and use it. You can even download a program that will automatically turn off your computer after a given time.

[Christine N.]

I have a different problem. Sometimes I have to wrestle with phrasing. I can get a ton of material written, but when I go back to edit, I do a first edit to fill in what needs filling, and delete what needs to be deleted. Then I go and do a grammatical edit, then I re-read to make sure I didn't miss anything.

Unfortunately, I do miss things. Well, even if I love my story, I dread having to re-read it in such a short space for a third time. I've had to force myself to stay with this, because its much easier for me to go and write a whole new book than edit one.

OOo, I hate that. I'll be cruising along and then the word I'm looking for just jumps out of my head and runs away. It doesn't even have to be a 50 cent word either. Yesterday I couldn't think of the word "impatiently". I knew what I wanted to say, but the word was just... gone.

[WhisperingBard]

Yesterday I couldn't think of the word "impatiently". I knew what I wanted to say, but the word was just... gone.

That's an hourly occurence for those of us over 40. :Smack:

[Dawno]

That's an hourly occurence for those of us over 40. :Smack:

Hourly? How about every 5 minutes? *sigh* I've taken to writing things on my hand again, like I did in 5th grade.

I did a binge of writing about a month ago and then life took over again and I've not written much since. I do believe that the BIC method propounded by Uncle Jim in his learn writing thread is a great idea. Write, don't re-write, for two solid hours or stare at a blank piece of paper/blank screen but stay in that seat for the entire time, every day.

Now I just have to follow that advice myself.

[brinkett]

I write in spurts. I may write most days for a few weeks, then not write for a week. When I'm not writing, it isn't because I don't want to (in fact, I'm always writing in my head)--it's because other things that are equally or more important require my attention.

I don't need to feel inspired to write. There are days when it comes easy and days when it's a slog, which is true of most things.

[HConn]

Do posts count as the daily writing?

Heck no.

[Roger J Carlson]

I take my laptop to Bob Evans every morning and write for an hour. I usually only have coffee, so it costs me $1.38 plus tip ($1 -- I figure the waitress deserves at least that after filling my cup 23 times!)

I find it helps to get out of the house. I used to try to get up an hour early and write at home. It didn't work. Then I tried going in to work an hour early, but I got distracted by work stuff. Going to the restaurant worked perfectly for me. I'm usually able to write between 500-800 words in that hour.

The odd thing, though, is every morning I hate writing. I drag my laptop out, turn it on, stare at the screen for a bit, read what I wrote the day before, and the next thing I know, words start coming. By the time I have to leave for work, I love writing and don't want to quit.

Maybe if you're a binge writer, you should try going somewhere else to write and do it on a regular basis.

[Jamesaritchie]

That's an hourly occurence for those of us over 40. :Smack:

Ain't it, though! I hate using a thesaurus, but I forget so many words so often that I often have to think of an alternative, and then run it through the thesaurus just to find the one I wanted.

[jdkiggins]

I am very disciplined at work (unless I am pulling the latest prank on the police department....long story)
Do posts count as the daily writing?

Brady H.

Brady,
Just something that might get you going if you haven't already done it. Why not try writing a humor piece about the above. (Hey, who knows, Jenna may be asking for a humor entry and you'll already be one step ahead. :)

And no, posts do not count as daily writing. If they did, we'd all have our WIP finished. :Hug2:

Joanne

[WhisperingBard]

I take my laptop to Bob Evans every morning and write for an hour. I usually only have coffee, so it costs me $1.38 plus tip ($1 -- I figure the waitress deserves at least that after filling my cup 23 times!)

I like this idea! Hmmm, wonder how much more it would cost if I added the sausage gravy and biscuits, too?

I hate using a thesaurus, but I forget so many words so often that I often have to think of an alternative, and then run it through the thesaurus just to find the one I wanted.

Isn't it annoying? I also find when I'm reading over something I've written that sometimes I've substituted a word that *sounds* like the one I wanted. *sigh* When my eyesight goes, I'm really going to be in trouble.

On the plus side, I am *much* more careful about my proofreading, simply because there's so much more to look for now. :D

[Maryn]

Ain't it, though! I hate using a thesaurus, but I forget so many words so often that I often have to think of an alternative, and then run it through the thesaurus just to find the one I wanted.IMO, the back door is a perfectly legitimate way to get into the house!

[JanaLanier]

Ain't it, though! I hate using a thesaurus, but I forget so many words so often that I often have to think of an alternative, and then run it through the thesaurus just to find the one I wanted.

I do this... I also tend to mix up similar sounding words, which is why I can't trust the computer's spell checker. I spell it right, but it doesn't mean what I think it means. That's why I always turn to my beloved dictionary... not to mention all the cool words I trip over picking my way to the word I wanted in the first place.

[maestrowork]

I only use thesaurus during rewrites.

[BradyH1861]

Brady,
Just something that might get you going if you haven't already done it. Why not try writing a humor piece about the above. (Hey, who knows, Jenna may be asking for a humor entry and you'll already be one step ahead. :)

And no, posts do not count as daily writing. If they did, we'd all have our WIP finished. :Hug2:

Joanne

Good idea. But I may have to wait until the statute of limitations expires!

Brady H.

[sharon]

I used to binge write, even with an outline (which I always create when working on a novel... it's just what works best for me). Each time I reach a stumbling block, I have to walk away from my WIP for a few days, or a few weeks. I was told, by a previous writer's group, that this is 'writer's block' but I have discovered that it's something different. *(note the term 'outline'... the ideas are there.)
This is more a case of, 'this part of the story isn't working and that's why I'm having a problem continuing with the writing'. Usually, within a few days to weeks, my muse will provide a solution or a better idea. :poke:
Now, rather than walk away and not write anything for a few days, or longer, I prefer to work on two completely different writing tasks. ie: novel/script; script/short story, etc. This allows me to write every day. I don't set a specific time to write or a specific amount of words as life tends to interfere with my plans on a regular basis. I grab the moments of the day, when I can. I believe we do what works best for us, at the time. It's an ongoing process.;)

[vrauls]

I had a couple of posts at the old board, but this is my first one here...

I just started the BIC method as outlined by Uncle Jim at the very beginning of his 'Learn Writing' thread (except I can only manage an hour right now). I'm still in the "your body will rebel, you will get little colds" stage. But the truth is that I have very little extra time in my life right now. I can't afford to get trapped by the muse and pulled along for hours at a stretch. I need to put in my time each day, no more and no less.

I've been getting up early, while my family and internal editor are still asleep, to write. It sucks, but the writing is actually happening, which is more than I could say before. Here are some things that help me keep moving along:

If I really do find myself just looking at a blank page for more than a minute, I pull out a book I like and, in another file, type a page word for word. That gets the rythm going.
Whenever I find myself stopping to think about some small point (What should I name this peripheral character? Maybe I should research that fact. How far is it from New Jersey to the West coast?) I throw in my standard placeholder and keep moving.
If I'm tempted to open a browser or check my email, instead I think: "I could be sleeping right now! If I'm going to be up at least I should write." It works like a charm.
Good luck!

Venecia
-- I'd rather be sleeping... --

[CindyBidar]

Whenever I find myself stopping to think about some small point (What should I name this peripheral character? Maybe I should research that fact. How far is it from New Jersey to the West coast?) I throw in my standard placeholder and keep moving.

This was a hard lesson for me to learn. I would spend hours researching some obscure point--and getting lost among the million other intersting facts I'd find--and not writing. It was tough to get myself to write "[insert name of flowering bush that blooms in July]" and move on. My WIPs (yes, there are more than one) are filled with these little notes to myself...all to be fixed in the rewrite. :D

[oswann]

This was a hard lesson for me to learn. I would spend hours researching some obscure point--and getting lost among the million other intersting facts I'd find--and not writing. It was tough to get myself to write "[insert name of flowering bush that blooms in July]" and move on. My WIPs (yes, there are more than one) are filled with these little notes to myself...all to be fixed in the rewrite. :D


Ditto or worse, my research steers me in strange directions that slow down the process. Sometimes new ideas come out of fossicking around in hair and fibre analysis but most often I realize that I'm just treading water and doing a type of mental gymnastics that is the 'what if' game. What if he's really bald. No it's not really a good choice to have the MC bald and to go back through thousands of words to change every reference to his hair. Oh damn is that the time? :Smack:

Os.

[alaskamatt17]

Placeholder symbols are really useful. I don't ever use them to stand in for a word on the tip of my tongue (I'll look in a thesaurus for that), but for minor characters' names, maybe a street or a kind of car. Also, for my sci-fi novel, there are two other languages I invented that I haven't bothered to memorize, so I'll just put /*/ on either side of text that needs to be translated. Then, before the re-write I can use MS Word's search function and pull out my little language guide booklet and start translating.