Thoughts about writing, and the lack thereof

[valis2]

etrangere had an entry about writing, and it made me think about my own writing, and how I haven't been doing any.

In fact, someone just reviewed the unfinished tLS with, "I am so mad at you!" because I haven't updated.

This has just been a crazy year, between shows and the wedding and stuff. I pushed myself to get out there and sell, and unfortunately, the returns were not great. In fact, they weren't even good, but that's for another entry entirely.

The thing is, this year I've done the least amount of writing since I started the HP fandom. And it's not for lack of ideas--I have stories and plots and characters overflowing in my head. It's just that RL has eaten me whole.

Worst of all, I can't possibly participate in the snupin_santa exchange. I will be moving in December, and if I sign up, it will be disastrous. I'm very sad about this. Very. I've so enjoyed the kick in the pants that is writing for an exchange. However, I have to be realistic. Not only will I be moving an entire apartment's worth of belongings mostly by myself, but I will also be helping to move husband's grandmother out of same house, and I will also have to deal with improving same house before we move in (the carpets are wrecked, it needs painting, etc.) and, if that weren't enough, I will have to deal with the oodles of furniture/items left over because she is going into an independent living facility.

Please don't think I'm ungrateful about having to do this work--said grandmother is the height of generosity for letting us purchase her house at an amazingly reasonable price, and it's a steal. But it is a lot of work, and I won't have time to write.

Even worse, I won't have time to write tLS, which makes me sadder than words can convey. I have the entire ending plotted out, I have oodles of thoughts about where I'm going, and I'm totally geeked--except I don't have the time.

Hopefully when everything dies down after December I'll have a couple weeks to write something before I leave for Arizona. *crosses fingers* It's sad when you have to plan your writing time five months ahead...

Comments

[sylvadin.livejournal.com]

It's sad when you have to plan your writing time five months ahead...

No, not sad - it's real life sometimes. At least you know you WILL be returning to your writing - just not as soon you might like. (Then again, I've noticed that you tend to be one of those people who seems to live life at a triple-shot espresso energy level and who wants to get everything done now, NOW, NOW! ;-)

Stop. Take a deep breath. Accept the fact that you need to place your writing on the back burner until after the move. Stop guilting about that fact and instead remind yourself that the delay only means that you will be able to truly focus on your writing once the RL dust settles.

*hugs*

[wiccarowan.livejournal.com]

I know what you mean about writing - I feel like I've been working on Home forever (because I have) and meanwhile other people are really prolific. Now I know that there are folk out there who don't really have anything much else to do but write, and sadly these are the people who really SHOULDN'T be spewing lots of badly-written drivel onto the net. But most of my flist who write also have, well, a life. Don't feel bad about RL getting in the way. Otherwise the writing, which you love, will start to feel like a chore.

[artystone.livejournal.com]

Deal with what you have to deal with. I stopped writing fic cold when RL intervened. Looking back now, I wonder WHY I spent so much time and energy on something that, while enjoyable, was doomed to fade away in ficarchives obscurity as new canon and new fans with different intersts come and go. It seemed so Important at the time. Now, not so much.

EVENTUALLY I'll pick up the writing again, but it's not going to be fanfic. 90% of my fanfic was based on original characters and removed from the canon setting, I have plans to reclaim some of my own characters, plots and settings and make them work in their own world.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

At least you know you WILL be returning to your writing - just not as soon you might like.

hee! That's very true. And it's not due to writer's block or anything of the like--it's just due to the time paucity!

Then again, I've noticed that you tend to be one of those people who seems to live life at a triple-shot espresso energy level and who wants to get everything done now, NOW, NOW! ;-)

ahahaha! Yes, interspersed with long hours where I do nothing but play Battle for Middle Earth, lol!

Stop guilting about that fact and instead remind yourself that the delay only means that you will be able to truly focus on your writing once the RL dust settles.

Excellent advice, as always. You're such a wonderful person to give me such calming words...*hugs*

[valis2.livejournal.com]

This year has been such an incredible procession of activity--I really thought that it would be less than last year, y'know? I didn't go on the Giant Trip of Doom, and I thought that would free up a lot of time, but it seems like the busier I am, the less I'm able to do at home. Instead, I just totally zone out. *shakes head*

I'm looking forward to getting in a house more than I could say. I know that it's work, but at the same time, it's also a lot more space, and I'll be able to organize a bit more than I can at present. Thank goodness for more closets!

[valis2.livejournal.com]

I stopped writing fic cold when RL intervened. Looking back now, I wonder WHY I spent so much time and energy on something that, while enjoyable, was doomed to fade away in ficarchives obscurity as new canon and new fans with different intersts come and go.

You're so right--and with the cannonball blasts of DH, it seems even more like frippery. However, I want the experience of finishing a novel under my belt before I start the next thing, and I'm very much looking forward to finishing it, not only for myself, but for the two fans who are left who are still reading it.

;)

And I do hope you pick up writing again! That would be awesome!

PS: Your cat is not blurreh!

[artystone.livejournal.com]

Ok then how's this one?

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Much better, thank you! *giggles*

[snapesforte.livejournal.com]

Even worse, I won't have time to write tLS, which makes me sadder than words can convey. I have the entire ending plotted out, I have oodles of thoughts about where I'm going, and I'm totally geeked--except I don't have the time.

I'm just reading this now, and in the spirit of 'better late than never' thought I'd add my two knuts and tell you that I, too, am looking forward to reading the rest of tLS.

So, you know, whenever you find the time ... No rush.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Aw, you rock! Thanks so much for the kind thoughts.

I was just thinking about you today--that's spooky! *hugs*