Riddle me this, writers: why is it that when you're working on one book (say, on a deadline, say, for next week) that your brain then gives you a firehose of ideas for the NEXT book? #KidlitUK #Writingsky
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It's a way of dealing with a block. Best advice I can give is to just jot down as best you can what comes out of the firehose. Until it calms down and you can get back to work on the current project.
But blocks can also be a sign that you need a break. To focus elsewhere for a bit.
That's a nice way to look at it - I am getting towards the end of an edit. I sometimes find when I'm in that last lap phase my brain goes into overdrive. A bit like a dying brain flashing your life before your eyes...
Because your focus has been holding that surge back, but you’ll relax soon and now it can sense its time is coming and it’s been waiting for that opening for too long to be denied it any more.
it’s the exact same neurological reason as why you’ll never fall asleep by anxiously trying really hard to fall asleep.
your subconscious is way more powerful than your conscious, task-driven mind, but it needs space to work in the background. not trying to solve it is the best way to figure it out
Nah for real. Like I’m writing the first chapter for my book when suddenly I get ideas for future chapters. And the ideas are so good that I write them down to brainstorm and get side tracked 🤦♀️
This is Procrastination 101. When faced with an onerous task we really don't want to do, our brains will oblige us with a list of alternative, more appealing tasks.
It’s seeking the high of starting the next one. The mystery of who everyone is, what exactly is going to happen, what dark corners will you get to play in. Starting is always the best part for me. Finishing is more of a relief, than a joy.
Oh shoot why didn’t I think of that??? Now my next problem… inspiration usually happens at work and I am afraid of how my coworkers will look at me if I begin talking about geopolitical and social changes in my made-up world lol 🤣
Looking like you've lost your mind is one of those writer problems I cannot help you with buddy, professional hazard...I know writers who swear by writing on their phones too, cos it's like you're sneaking up on it, you're not "really" writing so it's less pressure. Just in a notes app or something
I guess… well, I will try both methods and see what happens. In the end, it will be interesting to note the reaction of my coworkers to see if the book is working
'If he had been a great and wise philosopher, like the writer of this book, he would now have comprehended that Work consists of whatever a body is _obliged_ to do, and that Play consists of whatever a body is not obliged to do.' - Mark Twain, _Tom Sawyer_
Anything to avoid the excruciating reality of your current project that once was itself a new idea distracting you from a previous current project that once was itself a
No one but writers will care. Its like why cant i get this incredibe idea on paper? Why does everything start to feel tired and retread after three paragraphs no matter how many people tell me its mind blowing? Or why is the plot not what it was six sentences ago. Reality is a horrorshow for writers
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But blocks can also be a sign that you need a break. To focus elsewhere for a bit.
A college stoner accidentally becomes hitman but keeps missing his targets with a mob boss' freedom on the line.
(I too would be writing instead of being in bluesky)
your subconscious is way more powerful than your conscious, task-driven mind, but it needs space to work in the background. not trying to solve it is the best way to figure it out
is always shinier
than
the abbatoir of edits
or the tyranny of deadlines.
Of course, without the tyranny
I wouldn't anything, so...
I want residuals if you market it.
Im an anarchosocialist not stupid.
Ugh
Who am i kidding ill be dead by my own hand before that happens.