tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937390557356997344.post6545512495012654226..comments2024-03-22T03:59:39.188-07:00Comments on Dive into Worldbuilding: Productivity and the MuseJuliette Wadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02879627074920760712noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937390557356997344.post-82646493259597358622010-03-18T07:14:47.723-07:002010-03-18T07:14:47.723-07:00Jaleh, I have days like this. Typically though I ...Jaleh, I have days like this. Typically though I sense when I'm going to have a "words that worked" kind of day and keep myself away from the keyboard until I can figure out what concept is going to give me words that are closer to the right track. That has to do with how I think and write, though, and isn't precisely a suggestion (some folks would find it the opposite of helpful!) Good luck with your WIP!Juliette Wadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02879627074920760712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937390557356997344.post-54120593953134189982010-03-13T07:01:59.569-08:002010-03-13T07:01:59.569-08:00Yikes... I feel exactly the same sometimes, and th...Yikes... I feel exactly the same sometimes, and that means I end up "stuck in a rut" with my writing sometimes for weeks on end. That doesn't mean my Muse isn't feeding me new ideas, or I'm not writing other things (ie. blogging, SEO articles) so you're right -- every little step should count. So I only have 20 minutes to write down some plot points? That's still better than nothing at all. Thanks for the different perspective on "progress". :)Faithhttp://www.boughanfire.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937390557356997344.post-11897567319365545712010-03-11T09:24:01.998-08:002010-03-11T09:24:01.998-08:00Oh, CWJ, isn't that the truth! Thanks for exp...Oh, CWJ, isn't that the truth! Thanks for explaining your strategy - and sorry about the insomnia. It's clear to me that every writer has a different equation of time, work demands, family demands etc., and it's all about working out the most productive way to fit writing into that. Without effort spent on figuring out how to fit it in, I know I'd have a hard time even doing as much as I do.Juliette Wadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02879627074920760712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937390557356997344.post-46128708674325926712010-03-11T08:15:13.469-08:002010-03-11T08:15:13.469-08:00And, actually, I envy you Juliet having (in princi...And, actually, I envy you Juliet having (in principle) 3 hours a day 5 days a week. I get about 2 hours a day 3 days a week, if I am lucky...mostly I rely upon insomnia to provide writing time. <br><br>One thing I have taken to doing is keeping a "writing diary" where I log how many words I have written or made notes on editing I have done. It's a way to reward myself for keeping up effort. I don't set a specific goal each day, but simply note what I have done. I also keep track of submissions and rejections and make brief notes (i.e., "need to rework the scene where she escapes"). I use Google docs so that if I have a sudden idea at work I can log on and jot down the idea. It's kind of like a blog, except only for me :) .<br><br>And work is part of the "problem," because luckily I really like my job. I just also like writing. Too many things too little time.CWJhttp://www.physics.sdsu.edunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937390557356997344.post-8039816325941222662010-03-11T07:09:05.063-08:002010-03-11T07:09:05.063-08:00Very interesting thoughts, Eric. I think you have...Very interesting thoughts, Eric. I think you have a good point for some writers, inasmuch as it's valuable to take writing seriously and keep yourself aimed in a direction which allows it to happen. I do feel that you haven't quite captured the spirit of my post, which was aimed at a different type of writer - writers who, like me, lead lives with a high degree of unpredictability. Were I to set myself a word or page goal for days where I am *likely* to be able to write, I would feel like I'd failed each time I was unable to meet that goal, and this would make it harder for me to maintain the ongoing focus that I talk about above as "keeping the Muse awake." I think that sense of ongoing focus on writing is something we'd both see as having value.Juliette Wadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02879627074920760712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937390557356997344.post-16966577575633396412010-03-10T20:34:28.688-08:002010-03-10T20:34:28.688-08:00I've had plenty of day jobs I disliked or even...I've had plenty of day jobs I disliked or even outright hated. I never had the option of waiting on inspiration or begging "job block" as a reason not to go in, punch the clock and do the gruel. I don't want to denigrate anyone's struggles with her or his writing, but treating it like a job, while not fun, is a straightforward path toward productivity. Take away from yourself the opportunity to slack off or navel gaze. Set a minimum amount of pages or wordage to hit every day that you've specifically set aside as a work day. Writing in and of itself needn't be a joy. (Though I often find it such.) But the rewards for consistently producing work, which inevitably helps your growth as a writing entity, are boundless.Eric Del Carlohttp://ericdelcarlo.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937390557356997344.post-46833901219166799852010-03-09T11:30:06.680-08:002010-03-09T11:30:06.680-08:00I think it’s good to count everything as some sort...I think it’s good to count everything as some sort of progress. I imagine Nano counts everything for a reason.<br><br>A lot of pro writers say nothing but fresh words count, and I think that’s silly. Maybe world-building only counts for 2/5 of a word, or character profiles 1/5, or outlines 3/5. But it’s still something. You have to do that work sometime, and there’s no point penalizing yourself for doing it, especially when you’re filling in gaps where you just can’t produce “fresh” material.<br><br>Frustration is a vicious circle, so anything that lessens it is good in my book. (pun not unintended)atsikohttp://atsiko.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937390557356997344.post-10632110798863576472010-03-09T09:06:47.920-08:002010-03-09T09:06:47.920-08:00Thanks, everyone. I need to think about it this w...Thanks, everyone. I need to think about it this way for my own sanity...<br><br>CWJ, I have other types of stories that I write, but none have landed yet. Still hoping that will change, but obviously there's no trouble in going with a trend that works. I always struggled with the 4-5K length trend, but my stories always come out 7K or longer. Mostly I need to be at peace with my process and with the needs of a particular story. My latest is 13K and unlikely to come down much from there; it also took me over a year to write. I just pray that Dr. Schmidt likes it when I send it in.Juliette Wadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02879627074920760712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937390557356997344.post-74941223790146520352010-03-09T08:39:46.759-08:002010-03-09T08:39:46.759-08:00I think many writers struggle with this. I know I ...I think many writers struggle with this. I know I do. In my case I sell a story...and then go years without selling another, and after a while it is hard to work up the energy to try again. <br><br>I think it is good, as you seem to do, to figure out what kind of story you like to do, and stick to it. Unfortunately the short story market is geared towards short (under 4 or 5 thousand words) pieces, and I know I have spent a lot of time trying to write stories that fit into that niche. While I'm sure I learned from those attempts, I am happier when I am writing novelette-sized space opera, so I am going back to those. It means longer time to write--maybe 3 or 4 a year, if I am really producting--and if Analog doesn't buy it and Asimov's passes, there aren't many left who will even consider a 13K-word story. <br><br>And instead of putting words to page/screen, I spend far too much stuff going over and over those considerations in my head...CWJhttp://www.physics.sdsu.edunoreply@blogger.com