I have a rule. Well, not really. It’s more of a personal guideline.
That guideline is when I tell myself I cannot work on a current project. There are only a few times when I do that and it’s when I’m depressed, or very sad or angry, or really just unmotivated.
I know they say to write every day, no matter what, but I feel that that can be counterproductive, depending on your personality. For me, if I’m in one of those states, above, sitting at a computer forcing myself to write would anger or depress me more. I already know that nothing good will come from my session and it will only prolong what I’m going through.
I may write down in a journal or in a blank doc about how I’m feeling. Maybe it will be with characters from my current WIP, but it will never be in my actual project. I keep the two separate. Later, if I need those emotions or that power of a scene, I’ll go back and take a look, but I immediately bring it in, in the moment.
But this is a limit that we all have to learn on our own. Maybe you’re different. Don’t take someone else’s blanket rule and apply it to yourself. Try it out, sure, and if it works, great. If not, move on. Find out what does. We are all different and that’s okay. In fact, that’s what’s amazing about us.
Another place I think it’s not a good idea to get a constructive idea for is boredom. I say this because you can get desperate and perhaps a little put out because of that desperation or lack of quality that results. But then again, perhaps your best idea will come of that.
Again, these are just for me. These are places that I don’t actively search for ideas in; they aren’t good for me. But there is a way to turn these no’s into gold. Check out Friday’s Instagram post for details on how.
Happy writing and I’ll see you in #TheWriterCommunity!
Rach
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