I think I broke my brain

[rolanni]

OK. Turned in a book in October, the sequel is due in March-at-the-latest and I Cannot Focus. On anything. Reading, writing, 'rithmetic -- I can't keep my attention on any of it. Part of this probably has to do with the thyroid slowdown, to which tweakage has been applied, but relief on that front is four-to-six weeks out. I can kind of space most of the non-writing stuff on my plate at the moment; the day-job isn't being particularly disruptive, but -- that deadline ain't gettin' any further away and I have got to get with the program.

I've tried AiC and Just Doing It (which is how the October book got written) -- but my will-to-write seems to have dried up and blown away.

So -- what do you do to get motivated, and stay focused?

Comments

[damara.livejournal.com]

I have way too much trouble getting focused and staying that way to actually write a book. Otherwise, I'd have one written by now.

I wish I could be of more help.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Commiserations, I know how frustrating this can be.

When I was stuck on TFS, the novel_in_90 community was very helpful. Making a public commitment and being forced to report on my progress each day appealed to my competitive streak. I started off slow, but by the end I was writing significant chunks almost every day, and managed to meet the deadline with hours to spare :-)

I've also tried completely changing my writing location--deciding that I'm not going to write at home, instead I'm going to write at the coffee shop, or somewhere else, just to completely change my head space.

And finally I've tried peripheral activities instead, for instance telling myself that I'm not writing story today, but I'm going to spend an hour picking character names, or writing world building details, or some other related activity that will hopefully tempt the brain back into thinking about the story, so that maybe the next day when I sit down at the computer I'll feel like moving the narrative forward.

[lagilman]

and yeah, novel_in_90 is a godsend in some instances... 750 words a day? I can do that...

and then you realize you're almost at 1000, so might as well see if you can make it.

(sometimes you do, sometimes you don't. But the 750 is a manageable bite)

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

When I was stuck on TFS, the novel_in_90 community was very helpful.

I remember (now) that you had said so. Thank you for reminding me.

Options for changing writing venue are...somewhat limited hereabouts. Staking out a corner of the couch has been beneficial in the past; this time, not so much.

...hate to think I'm running outta tricks -- or that my subconscious has gotten smarter. Now, there's a scary thought...

[lagilman]

I shamelessly bribe myself for each milestone accomplished.

Sometimes you need an accomplice for this, preferably one with access to high quality chocolates or massage training.

[dancinghorse.livejournal.com]

I look at my bank account. I run the budget. After the shrieking panic attack and the cold sweats have abated, I suddenly am motivated to write.

Mercenary, hell. We're trying to survive here.

On a less hard-nosed note, I had the same problem after my dad died. Focus was not possible. All I could do was make myself sit down and write words, any words, and not get up until I had at least a page. The words weren't great, but they were words. Eventually I had a ms. It needed a lot of rewriting, but it was there.

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

I look at my bank account. I run the budget. After the shrieking panic attack and the cold sweats have abated, I suddenly am motivated to write.

That used to work. Then the Meisha Merlin disaster hit. The lesson I seem to have taken from this is that we'll write the book, get abused, and still not get paid. Mind you, the new publisher has shown no signs of stiffing us -- the opposite, in fact. The lizard-brain, though, is -- ahem -- apparently not ready to stand down on this.

The words weren't great, but they were words. Eventually I had a ms. It needed a lot of rewriting, but it was there.

I wrote the October book by assuring myself every time I sat down at the computer that there was no sentence so terrible that it could not be revised into something worth reading.

I Think I Broke My Brain

[(Anonymous)]

The longest writing I do winds up about two pages, single spaced. No plot, no world building, just simple narrative - mostly old memories, things I thought funny or striking at the time. One writer I heard of used to write in the family car, after she had compulsively cleaned out the glove compartment. I joined a friend's writing group, but mostly she was starting ideas, and everyone else was writing madly while I sat chewing my pen. Don't claim the day-job isn't interferring with the flow, because they take a lot of mental energy. Short of having Kinzel point a gun at you (always a bad idea) get that deadline extended, and try shorter bits, names of characters world building, manners building. In the Liad stories, I always wondered how many different ways a person could bow! I'm sure you have them counted.

Don't worry too hard. Do you celebrate Christmas? That's always a distraction, too. I've sent exactly one card!

Joan - Flowsdottir

[baggette.livejournal.com]

I have some of the afore-mentioned training and need someone to practice on. I have a portable table too. I understand the inability to focus. It happens to non-writers too. I have found the best remedy is to be kind but firm with ones' self. Good luck and call if you want an appointment.

[house-draven.livejournal.com]

Commiserations on the blockage. For me, the only thing that's surefire is thinking about how badly I need the money from whatever it is I'm writing. Sometimes, though, if I just start noodling around, outlining a scene or a bit of dialogue, I can fool myself into doing a lot more. I *think* it's because I tell myself that there's no pressure, I'm just noodling around, and it doesn't matter if it's good or not.

[lferion]

No suggestions on the getting motivated, but for focus, I use sensory things -- I have a big, lightly scented candle that I light, and play music -- choosing the playlist for mood and non-distraction. It doesn't always work, but often enough that I keep doing it!

[kalimeg.livejournal.com]

Well for volume 1 you used one of those word counters. I will say i was impressed to watch the count go up. Maybe you need another of those?

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

Well for volume 1 you used one of those word counters. I will say i was impressed to watch the count go up. Maybe you need another of those?

First, I need to start accumulating words...

[kalimeg.livejournal.com]

Oh, I am sorry that it's being vicious. But really, so far about everything you've done could fall into "nothing so bad you can't fix it up for publication" -- you folks are literate, interesting, and you do know how to tell a story.

Hm. Maybe you could appeal for boxes of home made cookies, and give yourself a cookie for Good Stuff?

:)

Multi-Tasking

[wjb3-reads.livejournal.com]

Is it possible _Fledgling_ helped with the first book?

I know several writers have claimed working on a second book helps. Robert Asprin claims the Myth-Adventure books helped him finish _Cold Cash War_
=

[(Anonymous)]

Oh, I've got a fabulous trick for staying focused. See, what you do is . . . Ooh! Look! Something shiny!

Um, what was I saying?

[elektra.livejournal.com]

I am really feeling this with you. Many commiserations. Got my confirmation bloodtest today--in six weeks perhaps we'll both be more energetic . . .

Odd place to begin . . .

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

Just a suggestion, but when I get stuck on a project, I usually need to listen to myself a little bit. There's often a reason why I can't seem to move ahead, and until I resolve that, I am likely to just keep tripping myself up.

Some elementary, my Dear Watson, notions?

One possibility is to take a different strategy. It seems as if you are mostly a freeform writer? Perhaps this is a time to try that outlining business -- make up the plot in bullet points or cards, fill in those character sheets, and tackle it that way.

Third time's the charm for right now -- what's the ending of Longeye? What is the climax? Write that scene, in all the glory and excitement you can muster at this point. Okay, then to get there, what must have happened? Focus on the juicy, fun stuff - write those bits and pieces - then fill in the gaps?

Oh! Have you tried switching back to paper and pen (or pencil)? I certainly find using different media sometimes kicks something loose.

Luck! And more later, got to scat off to a meeting right now.

[zola.livejournal.com]

This happens to me periodically, although it's when I'm writing a computer program, where the deadlines are just a bit tighter, and obviously I can't just take a few days to regroup, not if I want to stay employed.

Anyway, there are some things that I do that help immensely, and maybe they will help you too.

If the problems is primarily an IDEA block, meaning I'd write if I knew what to write, I go do something else and let it percolate in my brain for a while. The something else has to be fun and relaxing, and not related to what I "ought" to be doing.

If I'm really stuck, I'll take a shower, which probably sounds very funny, but wow, I can't tell you how many times the idea fairy has visited once that water starts running.

The other thing I discovered, much to my amazement, is exercise. It does NOT have to be anything elaborate whatsoever, just something that gets your heart rate up for five or ten minutes. I've been known just to hike rapidly up the hill of my driveway if need be, or briefly run in place for a minute or two and do a few jumping jacks or something.

And then lo and behold, I'll sit down, pleasantly winded, and my focus has returned. Maybe the bit of exercise bleeds off the excess nervous energy or something, but I have been astonished at how much it helps.

Noise can be a problem. I don't know about you, but if I'm in a headspace where my focus wants to fragment, my roommates drive me up a wall with the most innocent activities, like walking past me to go into the kitchen to get a drink of water. For those times, I have a nice pair of noise-reduction headphones and I put on some music. Not soothing music, either, I might add--for those times, I put on something fairly heavy or multilayered. I like Korn, for example, and Fatboy Slim.

Don't underestimate the power of noise--I remember reading Kinzel's journal a while back and seeing you'd had surgery. The stimulus of improved hearing may well be affecting you more than you realized, and you may get considerable relief with some kind of white noise generator or music to mask the little sounds that can shatter your focus.

Anyway, I hope there are a few things in this list that work for you--it's got to be the world's most frustrating feeling when you want to do something and can't get focused. Good luck.

[saruby.livejournal.com]

I'm not a writer, but I certainly have problems getting things done, especially in midwinter. A pity the thyroid thing cropped up now. Try Ma Huang (a mild stimulant form of ephedra), B12, and light therapy. No guarantees, but I hear good things from others. My personal answer is to just live with the fact that things move slower at this time of year. Plus, it's easier for me to work with a more immediate deadline. Perhaps that's why I'm not a writer (ok, it could also be a total lack of talent). Stay warm! If your body is working to keep your internal temp up, it is taking energy away from your brain.

not broke brain, broke chemisty

[fiopi.livejournal.com]

Hi Rolani,

Low thyroid's a very subtle disrupter of your life - and I'm glad your doc caught it. Don't be surprised if you find you need 9+ hours of sleep for a while, even with medication. The tip on the B vitamins and other supplements is good, also consider some weight training if you are able to get to the gym, building muscle can boost your metabolism. What has worked best for me is setting mini goals - a friend once told me that you can do anything for 15 minutes - so that's what I use to get through a stalled spot, break things into 15 minute chunks and Focus intently for those 15 minutes. Might be too short for writing but maybe an 30 minutes to 45 minutes. In any event, remind yourself you are fighting messed up chemistry more so than dried up will.

Tricks to Focus

[(Anonymous)]

I don’t write novels, but I do have to write manuals, user guides, specifications, etc. for my job. Since I am a terrible procrastinator I have to use tricks to get myself moving and focused on getting the job done. First of all I sketch out an outline to break the work up into much smaller sections. I give myself interim deadlines for each of the smaller sections. I pick a section, not necessarily the first section, but one that I think may be easier, and just start writing something about it. I start out with paper and pencil so I can scratch out and draw arrows. Somehow that helps me get going. After I’ve got a good start on paper, I switch over and type it on the computer. I fill in more text around what I originally wrote on paper until I have the section pretty well covered. Then I pick another section and do the same thing. If there is a section I think will be more difficult, I never start with that one. I always leave myself plenty of time before the final deadline to go back over all sections and clean up, link them together, etc.

I minimize distractions by making sure I have everything I think I’ll need right close by so that there are no excuses to get up and go get water, or a snack, or a pencil, or whatever. Also use my headphones to block out noise. Don’t know why, but music by Tangerine Dream seems to help me focus.

I don’t know if any of this will help when writing a novel. But I can certainly sympathize with lack of focus. Good luck!

- Cheryl

Re: Tricks to Focus

[(Anonymous)]

This is similar to the method I use when I need to write a paper or presentation and can't get myself moving.

What I find most helpful is to draw pictures. It sounds weird, but the visuals allow me to put words to them. Sometimes stick figure pictures with little people and computers and data sets, sometimes how whatever I need to describe flows in time and space, sometimes even pictures of pages: this section needs to have 5 pages and each page needs to do this. If I really need help, I use lots of colors for different threads...

I approve of the advice about chocolates, exercise and massage, too. Wish I could do all three of those more.

B. O'Brien

Re: Tricks to Focus

[(Anonymous)]

I also find it much easier to edit than to write the first words on blank paper.

Perhaps you could dictate an outline and story fragments to Kinzel or someone else, have them type it out and put in questions that you could react to as story starters...

B. O'Brien

[6-penny.livejournal.com]

Pushing through Fledgling and Duanfey simultaneously with all the work pressures that went on over the last few months has to have been a lot of brain exercise ( not to mention the physical stuff, and surgery takes a lot out of you in subtle ways,which didn't help the thyroid). This may also be the equivalent of sore muscles from overdoing the physical training. Be patient, coddle the creative muscles, and figure out what your mental equivalent of gentle physical stretches is, which is probably NOT writing! Maybe a short break just doing mindless Christmas things! In short you deserve a HOLIDAY!

[deb-krol.livejournal.com]

Aargh, I need that too--I took on writing like eight short pieces in two weeks for the Day Job for an event program [not wanting to trust anybody else to be Late!] and it's a month later and I'm still two pieces short. Now the publisher is threatening to not get our pub to us on time, and my boss says "leave me out of it!" I need help here too...my will-to-write is like dead in the water.

I've tried envisioning being in the Opportunity Pool, getting fired, getting into debt, losing the house, everything...help!

Usually just knowing I'm on deadline makes me sit up and take notice, but this time I'm just floundering also...wish I could be of more help too. But just writing about it makes me feel a bit better.