Pastor Rick
The Reeve
Registered: 07-2005
Location: Texas
Posts: 2474
|
|
Reply Quote
|
|
Mental preperation?
I have this little book by Todd A Stone called "The Novelist's Boot Camp" and while I don't know if I will ever try for a book, one of his first "drills" is that I must be mentally prepared before starting to write. This sounds like a fine idea but the book author gives no examples of how to do that! Soooo... How do you get "mentally prepared" before you start to write?
|
|
3/6/2010, 7:36 pm
|
Link to this post
Email Pastor Rick
PM Pastor Rick
Blog
|
QS2
Shepherd
Registered: 03-2006
Posts: 2138
|
|
Reply Quote
|
|
Re: Mental preperation?
I believe a lot of writers advise getting rid of distractions, so you can focus well. Though I think you already knew this. 
|
|
3/6/2010, 9:51 pm
|
Link to this post
Email QS2
PM QS2
|
Pastor Rick
The Reeve
Registered: 07-2005
Location: Texas
Posts: 2474
|
|
Reply Quote
|
|
Re: Mental preperation?
Distractions? I look at the computer and think of at least a dozen things I should do on the Internet! 
|
|
3/7/2010, 12:49 am
|
Link to this post
Email Pastor Rick
PM Pastor Rick
Blog
|
Firlefanz
Lady of the Land
Registered: 05-2003
Location: Germany
Posts: 6984
|
|
Reply Quote
|
|
Re: Mental preperation?
Hmm, that is a difficult question.
I know authors who set themselves a fixed time, and thus are "at work" at that time. Others write longhand, to avoid the computer distractions.
Personally, I think the whole mood and mental discussion is BS, though. Full-time authors will tell you they write no matter what. Mood, no mood, inspiration or no inspriration. Word-count per day is what matters, and the deadline.
Yes, I prefer to write if the muse strikes me, but waiting for her can be very frustrating. Nothing motivates me better than a deadline. Ahem. 
|
|
3/7/2010, 8:26 pm
|
Link to this post
Email Firlefanz
PM Firlefanz
Blog
|
Pastor Rick
The Reeve
Registered: 07-2005
Location: Texas
Posts: 2474
|
|
Reply Quote
|
|
Re: Mental preperation?
Todd says never just wait for the muse or you will never succeed in the project. I am not sure about the never part but I think maybe some low-key music may change my work setting "atmosphere" from the normal mood. Does music or lighting help anyone here to "get to work?"
|
|
3/7/2010, 10:31 pm
|
Link to this post
Email Pastor Rick
PM Pastor Rick
Blog
|
Reythia
Knight of Honor
Registered: 11-2005
Posts: 1883
|
|
Reply Quote
|
|
Re: Mental preperation?
quote:
Pastor Rick wrote:
Distractions? I look at the computer and think of at least a dozen things I should do on the Internet!
Haha! I have the same problem, and not just with the computer. There are ALWAYS other things to do!
If mood lighting or music helps you, go for it. Personally, I can't write or read anything serious with music on in the background -- I pay more attention to the music than the writing. And if I'm at the computer, I like one type of lighting -- the one that lets me see monitor and keyboard most clearly!
So basically, I don't change anything physical in my environment when I write. For me, it's mostly a matter of just making myself sit down and actually START than anything else.
Good luck!
---
-- YAR!
|
|
3/8/2010, 5:02 pm
|
Link to this post
Email Reythia
PM Reythia
AIM
MSN
|
tryingtowrite
Knight
Registered: 03-2007
Posts: 1356
|
|
Reply Quote
|
|
Re: Mental preperation?
I usually play minesweeper for a bit and think about the story before writing. I do listen to music, somehow it allows me to focus on the story more.
---
I'd procrastinate now, but it would be easier tomorrow.
A fantasy tongue twister: Sputtering silver sliver Sphinxes spit splinters.
|
|
3/9/2010, 12:22 am
|
Link to this post
Email tryingtowrite
PM tryingtowrite
|
Queenyforever
Troll in Chains
Registered: 01-2007
Location: Just north of the clouds...
Posts: 306
|
|
Reply Quote
|
|
Re: Mental preperation?
I don't know about "writing" Pastor, but I know when I want to make a new Skin/theme....I need to have Hubby out of here, I need my IPOD on, but I have to have my Inspirational/easy listening Playlist, before I can ever even start...and it takes several hours if not days to do one. 
---
“Freedom and democracy are dreams you never give up.”
|
|
3/9/2010, 7:14 pm
|
Link to this post
Email Queenyforever
PM Queenyforever
Blog
|
Pastor Rick
The Reeve
Registered: 07-2005
Location: Texas
Posts: 2474
|
|
Reply Quote
|
|
Re: Mental preperation?
I think I'll try the music just to see if it helps to separate the other computer stuff from the writing side of things... It certainly can not hurt anything.
Queeny, I get so many things going it sometimes takes me months to actually finish a skin project!
|
|
3/11/2010, 5:32 pm
|
Link to this post
Email Pastor Rick
PM Pastor Rick
Blog
|
Queenyforever
Troll in Chains
Registered: 01-2007
Location: Just north of the clouds...
Posts: 306
|
|
Reply Quote
|
|
Re: Mental preperation?
Now you know why I ONLY do mine when Hubby is on a business trip and I can have a week to myself! 
I have been known to do 2 or 3 while he is gone!
---
“Freedom and democracy are dreams you never give up.”
|
|
3/11/2010, 8:32 pm
|
Link to this post
Email Queenyforever
PM Queenyforever
Blog
|
Pastor Rick
The Reeve
Registered: 07-2005
Location: Texas
Posts: 2474
|
|
Reply Quote
|
|
Re: Mental preperation?
Now I have the writing bug and a new RDS secret project in the works... So much to do... so little time...
|
|
3/15/2010, 3:48 am
|
Link to this post
Email Pastor Rick
PM Pastor Rick
Blog
|
Queenyforever
Troll in Chains
Registered: 01-2007
Location: Just north of the clouds...
Posts: 306
|
|
Reply Quote
|
|
Re: Mental preperation?
Need to "clone" you Pastor! 
---
“Freedom and democracy are dreams you never give up.”
|
|
3/15/2010, 8:32 pm
|
Link to this post
Email Queenyforever
PM Queenyforever
Blog
|
