We had snow yesterday, over an inch. We knew it was coming so we were indoors enjoying it and not stuck on a road somewhere. Driving in snow can be stressful, but being inside with a fire going and fat flakes falling outside the window, frosting the evergreens, turning everything white, very peaceful.
More snow is expected today and tomorrow as the bigger storm moves in, up to six inches today. That could be interesting though I doubt we’ll actually get that much.
PBW is asking about what gets a writer through crunch time and I realized I don’t know the answer. Unless it’s, “writing is writing”. In a way it’s all crunch time so there’s no real difference. I just keep at a story and I push it up the hill until it starts to avalanche down the other side and then I run to keep up. What keeps you doing it, well, the story wants to be finished for starters. I think that even thinking about it in terms of “crunch time” is a bad idea for me because it makes me freeze up. The minute you start thinking about your performance you become self-conscious and get in your own way. You have to get out of the way and focus on the story.
What helps you get out of your own way, now that’s an interesting topic. Dorothea Brande is big on wordless recreation for writers. Knitting, playing solitaire, walking. I do a lot of hiking. Lately I’ve also been baking, which seems to serve the same purpose. Do something that keeps you a little busy but mostly allows the mind to be quiet and then you can get out of your own way.
Fine words of wisdom. 🙂
Wow! Snow already. We’ve had a slight dusting, but nothing that actually stayed. I’m never ready for it, no matter what.
It’s good to do things like hiking and baking. I find your mind goes to another place where you can just relax or, if you’re lucky, a plot point works itself out or you get a great idea. Either way, it’s good.
Wish I could come to your house and enjoy some of that scrumptious Thanksgiving baking you’ve been doing. And I still think you need to write a book of short stories entitled, “For Love of Cranberries.” LOL It would be a big seasonal hit!
Jordan, Dorothea Brande is so full of writing wisdom. I read her book at least once a year (Becoming A Writer). There’s always something in it that’s exactly what I needed to be reminded of.
NJ, I’m amazed we got any snow, let alone more than one day’s worth! It’s so rare here. Unfortunately somewhere along the line a frozen tree must’ve taken out a power line because the whole area went down around noon. Argh. Love my laptop!
I’ve walked my way through lots of plot solutions, and I come up with new ideas out hiking, too!
Tempting to do the cranberry collection. 😆
I never seem to have much trouble finishing; it’s the editing that gets me down. And, no, I don’t edit stories to death. I would be happy if I could produce something free of major plot flaws, that’s all.
I’m with Doug on this one. I have no problems getting the story written. Edits, I’m much slower at. 🙄
I think in a lot of ways editing is harder, because you have to use both sides of the brain at the same time. You need critical, analytical thinking, combined with creative solutions. It’s easy to say, establish character motivation here. Much harder to think of HOW and then implement the change seamlessly!
Well said, Charli!