November 29, 2010

Today I was tired and headache-y, yet I needed to get some writing done. I don’t know about you, but I find writing a grueling challenge on the rare days I feel rotten.

That’s why I found a chapter in The Write Type by Karen E. Peterson very encouraging. The author said that not all the stages of producing a story or book involve heavy-duty creative thinking. If you’re not feeling the best somedays, use that time for a writing job that requires less energy–but still has to be done sometime.

Three of the following stages you’ll be familiar with (prewriting, writing and rewriting.) The other three stages are writing jobs you have to do but rarely give yourself credit for.

Stages of Writing

• Read-writing: Reading what you’ve already written before revising
• Co-writing: Discussing with another writer what you want to write or have written, getting feedback and encouragement
• Rote-writing: typing up lists, references, and hand-written revisions
• Prewriting: Gathering notes, ideas, and resources, plus jotting down ideas or outlines
• Writing: creating the story, article, poem, or book
• Rewriting: editing, revising and proofing

What To Do?

Each stage of writing requires a different kind of energy and concentration. What is most helpful is to match your energy level to the task. It all has to be done at some point, but much of it doesn’t have to be done in order.

And if you’re exhausted, start with the easiest task. That’s what I did today. I had go through some photos I’d taken, find and watch a couple of YouTube videos on a process I couldn’t quite picture, type up a list from scraps of notes, and re-read a revised chapter to see if it held together.

It took a couple of hours, I made progress, I got some needed writing jobs done on the project, and I didn’t make my headache worse. A good day!

7 Comments »

1. 

   Deja-vu – I just read this, in that book. Turns out that’s what I’ve been doing! Who knew!

   Comment by Yvette — November 29, 2010 @ 8:34 pm

2. 

   Yvette, I guess great minds think alike!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — November 29, 2010 @ 9:05 pm

3. 

   Sounds good. I have plenty of days I don’t feel well, and now I see I can still get some work done even when I thought I couldn’t. Thanks, Kristi!

   Andrea

   Comment by Andrea — November 29, 2010 @ 9:31 pm

4. 

   Andrea, I have found that if I can do even a little bit on a project, it keeps it fresh in my mind so that when I feel better, I don’t have to waste time “getting back into it” again. I’m guessing that MANY of our great writers–past and present–have had chronic pain issues to deal with.

   Comment by Kristi Holl — November 30, 2010 @ 9:38 am

5. 

   Like you, I will choose the easiest task first to get a sense of accomplishment when I am not well. That often means that my novel is neglected, but I will choose “prime” time for my novel (when there are no interruptions, when I’ve taken some medicine, or right after a nap).

   Comment by Vijaya — November 30, 2010 @ 3:29 pm

6. 

   Vijaya, it takes some finagling to find that “prime time” sometimes, doesn’t it? You’re wise to assess your energy and pain levels and then tackle what you have the best chance of being successful with. You have a great overcomer’s attitude!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — November 30, 2010 @ 5:40 pm

7. 

   Kristi,

   Yes, I’ve definitely had the “getting back into it” problem. I’m hoping that with your advice, I won’t have that problem so much in the future.

   Andrea

   Comment by Andrea — December 1, 2010 @ 8:19 pm

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