I’ve read a few books lately that have broken some “rules.” They’ve mixed first-person and third between chapters. They’ve included pieces of a “destroyed” diary in italics, so the reader would know what was going on when the first-person protag didn’t. They’ve told stories in the present tense, first-person, and then stuck in an epilogue from another character. On and on. Yet, I enjoyed these novels. Just shows to go ya!
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I don’t have writer’s block. I’m not sure how to describe my “ailment.” I’ve written a boatload of bloggery lately, a bit of it fictional, some poetry for Twitter, etc. I still feel that all my previously outlined story and novel ideas have potential… but I can’t work on them, given my lifestyle.
One, I’m no longer capable of getting up at 5am and writing for a few hours before work. Just can’t do it. Maybe once a week, but not consistently like I did 10 years ago.
Two, I’m not capable of writing fiction for 3-4 hours at night after work. Or even two. I’m tired. I can fling off a blog poast and some texts, but my eyeballs rebel at doing solid screen work.
Three, I’m too OCD to let my cleaning and chores mount up on weekends to write. I need to get stuff done. And I enjoy seeing movies, hanging with friends, and, most of all, spending time with family when I can. I’m not going to give up that stuff to pound out chapters of a book only a dozen people at best will ever read. Not motivated.
But that’s not the same as writer’s block. If I had the time ~ if I were retired, forex ~ I’d be cranking out those stories like I did years ago when I had more energy. They are still in my head. Dunno how long they’ll stay there. That’s a different issue.
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Conversation with my daughter…
Me: I don’t feel safe putting my documents in the cloud.
Sharon: Why not?
Me: Because I’ve already shared a photo folder with people, so they might be able to see all of them.
Sharon: You’ve sent emails to people. Can they read all your other ones?
Me: Good point.
Sharon: Now I know how Mark Zuckerberg felt in front of Congress.
Hey wise choice, life must always come first!
And I get it if you work with a screen you need down time off it .. for me blogging is a pleasure and I can stop if that ever changes … so take your time and post when you can 🙂
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Thanks! Yeah, blogging isn’t an issue. Novel writing is though. It requires so much more time and mental energy. I’m not one of those who can stop at Starbucks for an hour and dash off a couple thousand words.
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but sounds like you’ve published already … or are you aiming for that best seller?
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I have several books on Amazon for Kindle under Paula Light and Anna Fondant, but after this last book of poetry I find myself too drained to get back into the rhythm of novel writing. I have lots of ideas outlined for when I get my fiction energy back. 🙂
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wow that’s an impressive achievement already!
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Thanks!
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