Today, I’m going to set aside the Mama part of myself and just talk writing… because, truly I need a good kick in the rear and I can’t think of a better place to get it than the MamaWriters! We all know how to move, motivate and sometimes force our kids into action, into doing what needs to be done..into finishing their homework, cleaning their room, or heck just even saying thank you at times. But what about moving, motivating and forcing ourselves?
And I’m not talking about housework, or cooking (because, really nothing would motivate me to do that other than a starving child. lol). I’m talking about motivating yourself and forcing yourself to write when it’s not going as you hoped, when you aren’t certain about what you’re writing, or when your muse seemed to have left on vacation without telling you (Oh Fred! Where are you?)? Because Mamas, that’s where I am.
I’m pretty sure Fred, my muse, has left for Tahiti. My characters are suspiciously quiet and not giving me much to work with. And though I have gotten some pages done in the last weeks, it hasn’t been many and I’m not really sure about what I DID get.
I know WHY I’m so verklempt (I love that word) right now. It’s not a matter of figuring out the reasons. It’s a matter of forcing myself to write past them… to write bad pages, I guess. Just to write something.
It’s not a problem to tell my three year old that he has to help Mama clean up his room before he can watch an episode of Handy Manny, but it is apparently a problem to kick my own you-know-what and write past the bad stuff. Or peraps just give myself permission to write the bad stuff. As the grand dame of romance Nora Roberts says, “You can’t fix a blank page.”
So let’s have it…give me your best Mama impressions… If I were your child, what would you say to me?



Honestly? I would say, just write. Write crap, just write something. If that really, really doesn’t work, go get some exercise and fresh air.
Write crap, knowing you can clean it up later. Just write.
Sometimes when you come back to it, the crap is really quite good
Twitter: jeannieruesch
says:
Thanks, Ginny. It’s good advice…write anything. I think I think too much. LOL So I always get in my own way by worrying about the changes I’ve noted along the way, wondering if I should just forget ahead to the end now or go back and make the changes first. And then, I debate and debate… It’s like my own little merry go round. LOL
Thanks!
Okay I’m your mama…** *cracks neck, shakes out my legs, deep breath***
Jeannie, my little eggplant, snag a piece of chocolate (and don’t tell me you don’t have any) get over to that computer, and pull up one of your WIPS. No, don’t even think about it, that chocolate, better remain in its wrapper. Turn on a little music, massage your neck, stretch your fingers. Read the last chapter you wrote, edit it, and move on. Try for 250 words. When you hit 250, then open the candy, you deserve it.
Now….if you really want to guilt yourself, put up on your website that you’re doing Nano. Get their pretty little website button too, send out a note to your readers that you’re doing Nano to finish your WIP. Ahhh guilt…
Now sweet eggplant, I’m really looking forward to reading the 2nd book in your Willoughby series, so you better get going on it before I have to make ratatouille out of you!!!!
HUGS!
Mama Eliza
Twitter: jeannieruesch
says:
This little eggplant will behave! I promise!!! No ratatouille for me!!! *grin*
Wow, you do a great Mama, Eliza. LOL And yes, I have a plethora of chocolate to choose from. Okay, once I finish my duties for the evening, I am going to sit down and WRITE. Three pages, no matter how crappy they are, they will be written! I declare!
See, the MamaWriters are good for me.
Jeannie, I don’t have a book under my belt, an editor to worry about, and fans. . .well, I ‘m sure my mom may count. LOL
But I share your frustrations. It’s very easy to get lost. (Do they make GPS for lost muses? Someone could make a mint with that gadget!)
The only advice I have is what I’ve been told: Butt in chair and write.
I’m struggling with some confliction judging comments and let’s just say- I’m confused. LOL
I know you’ll pull out of this. You’re a talented and driven person. Try not to be so hard on yourself! You’ve got grisel, girlfriend! I have 100% faith in you. (and seriously don’t want to see Eliza stewing you up! LOL) I want to see the next book, too!
Twitter: jeannieruesch
says:
Sarah, on the conflicting judging comments, the only thing I can say is follow your gut. YOU know what’s right for your story… and generally, when dealing with critique advice — I go by the gauge of three. If three people tell me that something doesn’t work, I listen. If you’re dealing with one, often it’s just a difference of style or opinion. Since you have two different opinions on the same thing, just off the top of your head, choose what feels best for your story.
And yeah, I don’t want to Eliza stewing me up, either. Mama Eliza scares me. LOL *grin*