I see it as realizing I'm doing too much at the moment rather than a tough spot. I have a million project ideas. The problem is, I can't do a million projects at a time!
Or, more specifically, the problem is that I *try* to do a million projects at a time... lol
Creative minimalism will help me juggle in slow motion; at least, that's the theory. Take out a ball here and there, then switch them out with a different ball here and there somewheres down the road...
Graham, let me relate how such feelings sometimes work for me, in case you find any of the perspective helpful. I have found that writing a particular piece only feels like a chore when I’ve lost (or perhaps never found in the first place) the heart of that piece. Once I’m in the groove it’s not a chore anymore, even if I’ve got too many projects on the go and my body is tired. But part of being in the groove is being connected to the heart of the particular story. I guess by “heart of the story” I mean the answer to the question, “Why is this story important?” If I’m connected to the heart of the story, then not even editing feels like a chore. Hope the retreat goes well for you.
The issue here isn't the novel itself, it's competing priorities. I need to reduce the number of projects I have on the go at the moment, and based on those priorities, the novel is the first to go.
The goal certainly isn't to abandon it. I need to put the focus on other things at the moment. This exercise in creative minimalism will (I hope) allow me more room to breathe and get those other things done so I can come back to the novel.
I hope you feel it was worth it! That’s not what I mean, not like “gee expensive away from home could have been blah blah.” I meant that whatever you choose to do and however it goes, I hope it fills your well.
Editing AGAIN to say that when I’ve held my goals for the retreat loosely, I’ve been happier with the outcome than when I go with OMG I MUST WRING EVERY MOMENT OF PRODUCTIVITY FROM THIS TIME. As always YMMV.
A retreat may take the pressures of your everyday life off and release your creativity. OR the retreat might apply even more pressure: ie I am here! Why am I not writing?! Speaking only of myself, if I have something to say, I write effortlessly all day long. If I have nothing to say, I go clean the shower or pull some weeds and stop worrying about it. I have days of glorious acuity and days of dense, dull brain fog. What would happen if you just went to the lake to take a walk, to sit and listen to nature, to breathe in clean air and watch the stars as the goal, instead of raising the word count? What would happen if you accidentally left your phone at home? I look forward to hearing what you find out, Graham.
Oh, that is the perfect way to approach it! Mine is complicated by the fact that I write for my day job, so (a) I have to produce and (b) sometimes there isn't anything left in the creative well for personal projects.
So, I'm going to take your approach for personal work: do it when it strikes me and not worry about it when it doesn't. Once I plow through certain things on my plate, I'll revisit.
But for this weekend, it's all about enjoying the novel writing process!
"Retreat" brings back an old memory of going away for a few days to prepare for Confirmation - you get to do these things growing up Catholic, :) - I vaguely recall some teaching sessions and a lot of running around having fun in the woods. Yeah, like Camp! I hope you also get the chance of running in the woods!
It's hard to run around anywhere here without running in woods! Where the retreat is, it's even woodier. We usually tromp around a bit on these weekends, so I imagine I'll get some good walking time in! That usually does the creative soul good...
Whew, that sounds like you’re in a tough spot. I wish you luck Graham.
Thanks Tom!
I see it as realizing I'm doing too much at the moment rather than a tough spot. I have a million project ideas. The problem is, I can't do a million projects at a time!
Or, more specifically, the problem is that I *try* to do a million projects at a time... lol
Creative minimalism will help me juggle in slow motion; at least, that's the theory. Take out a ball here and there, then switch them out with a different ball here and there somewheres down the road...
Graham, let me relate how such feelings sometimes work for me, in case you find any of the perspective helpful. I have found that writing a particular piece only feels like a chore when I’ve lost (or perhaps never found in the first place) the heart of that piece. Once I’m in the groove it’s not a chore anymore, even if I’ve got too many projects on the go and my body is tired. But part of being in the groove is being connected to the heart of the particular story. I guess by “heart of the story” I mean the answer to the question, “Why is this story important?” If I’m connected to the heart of the story, then not even editing feels like a chore. Hope the retreat goes well for you.
Thanks for your insights, Lance -- and I agree!
The issue here isn't the novel itself, it's competing priorities. I need to reduce the number of projects I have on the go at the moment, and based on those priorities, the novel is the first to go.
The goal certainly isn't to abandon it. I need to put the focus on other things at the moment. This exercise in creative minimalism will (I hope) allow me more room to breathe and get those other things done so I can come back to the novel.
I hope you feel it was worth it! That’s not what I mean, not like “gee expensive away from home could have been blah blah.” I meant that whatever you choose to do and however it goes, I hope it fills your well.
Editing AGAIN to say that when I’ve held my goals for the retreat loosely, I’ve been happier with the outcome than when I go with OMG I MUST WRING EVERY MOMENT OF PRODUCTIVITY FROM THIS TIME. As always YMMV.
I love the reframe of "have to" to "enjoy doing it" - Hope you enjoy the retreat, however that ends up looking and feeling for you, Graham!
Thanks Joanne!
I have no idea what it's going to look like, but Pausing to make this decision has already taken a weight off... lol
A retreat may take the pressures of your everyday life off and release your creativity. OR the retreat might apply even more pressure: ie I am here! Why am I not writing?! Speaking only of myself, if I have something to say, I write effortlessly all day long. If I have nothing to say, I go clean the shower or pull some weeds and stop worrying about it. I have days of glorious acuity and days of dense, dull brain fog. What would happen if you just went to the lake to take a walk, to sit and listen to nature, to breathe in clean air and watch the stars as the goal, instead of raising the word count? What would happen if you accidentally left your phone at home? I look forward to hearing what you find out, Graham.
Oh, that is the perfect way to approach it! Mine is complicated by the fact that I write for my day job, so (a) I have to produce and (b) sometimes there isn't anything left in the creative well for personal projects.
So, I'm going to take your approach for personal work: do it when it strikes me and not worry about it when it doesn't. Once I plow through certain things on my plate, I'll revisit.
But for this weekend, it's all about enjoying the novel writing process!
Good plan.
"Retreat" brings back an old memory of going away for a few days to prepare for Confirmation - you get to do these things growing up Catholic, :) - I vaguely recall some teaching sessions and a lot of running around having fun in the woods. Yeah, like Camp! I hope you also get the chance of running in the woods!
It's hard to run around anywhere here without running in woods! Where the retreat is, it's even woodier. We usually tromp around a bit on these weekends, so I imagine I'll get some good walking time in! That usually does the creative soul good...