Friday, July 16, 2010

Preparing for a Journey

So when you start a journey, you don't just get in the car and drive, right? You plan. You schedule. You pack. You map the route. You double check the list. I know I do.

Why, then, when I start a new WIP, do I have such a hard time prepping? There is absolutely no reason why I should not plot, outline, snowflake, analyze characters, blah blah blah before I sit staring at a blank screen.  Of course I don't know what happens next, I don't know my characters yet! 

But I somehow feel like I'm "not writing" if I'm not writing. Why is that? The planning stages are just as important as the traveling or the arriving. Be Prepared!  That's what the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts say.



Maybe I just need to go away for a few days and relax.  And come back refreshed.  Maybe.

8 comments:

Ansha Kotyk said...

I guarantee that going away and coming back relaxed and refreshed will help. You need to let your mind wander off the beaten path.

Tina Laurel Lee said...

Have fun!
I love this idea...
I'm taking a mini, for-fun break myself.

Theresa Milstein said...

So that's my problem! I don't plan my regular vacations that much so why would I plan my writing journeys?

Hope you're refreshed and writing soon.

Aubrie said...

Every book is a journey, what a great way to think of it.

I do some planning, but things arise that you can't plan for!

good luck with your time away!

Julie Musil said...

I feel the same way! I feel almost guilty when I've been researching, taking notes on plot, etc., instead of writing new words. But truly, that is all part of the process, and that part makes the words better.

Jackee said...

I do the same thing--unless I see a progressive word count, it doesn't feel like working on a project. Sometimes we have to slow down and not let our prejudgements cloud our creativity. Sounds like you've got that figured out! :o)

Glad to find your blog!

Kristine Asselin said...

Thanks everyone. I'm back. Glad to be sleeping in my own bed. Ready to get myself back on track. It was nice to see all your lovely comments when I got home. :)

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

Thanks for joining in on Jackee's and my random blog party!

I'm having a hard time writing right now...between the roofers and the emergency water removal, it's been quite a summer! Hopefully my house and life will return to normal soon. :)