tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post6803554190877839676..comments2024-03-15T09:26:02.796-05:00Comments on PROJECT MAYHEM: Chris Eboch on Staying ProductiveProject Mayhemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05154342399869089664noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-42447095727689072062014-05-12T20:51:14.552-05:002014-05-12T20:51:14.552-05:00I LOVE the idea of "Artists Dates" and I...I LOVE the idea of "Artists Dates" and I've slowly started to adopt that concept.<br /><br />I gave up a lot of non-writing interests to be a better writer in the last nine years, but now I've brought some of those things back, and while I have to be careful not to avoid writing in general, I NEED those dates to yes discover new books and authors, but also things that may not directly influence my writing, but I NEED no less.<br /><br />Despite the truth in what Harrison's saying, sometimes-<br /><br />BURNOUT. <br /><br />JUST.<br /><br />HAPPENS. <br /><br />No matter how disciplined a writer you are. <br /><br />If you don't ever address your non-writing needs (which includes TAKING BREAKS and HAVING FUN!) you risk a breakdown. I speak from personal experience. <br /><br />Today, in fact, I had to put a lot of my plans to celebrate "Children's Book Week 2014" on hold because I'd come emotionally and mentally unglued due to a personal matter, and Mother's Day yesterday while overall okay, is ALWAYS a hard day for me.<br /><br />Chris, I know we don't always agree about many things regarding writing and publishing, but I always respect that you've worked hard to be where you are now, and still face the same frustrating things I and others in this community do.<br /><br />I still don't have endless patience, but I have more than I did nine years ago.<br /><br />Sometimes, that's all we can attain. It's still not enough for me. But more than I had a near decade ago.Taurean Watkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16604609379930060667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-83196402901259407912014-05-12T19:15:22.669-05:002014-05-12T19:15:22.669-05:00Great advice, Chris. I'm a firm believer in ge...Great advice, Chris. I'm a firm believer in getting enough sleep.<br /><br />I've taken numerous breaks from writing, but I feel more productive when I'm actually writing two to three hours a day. And when I get stuck on my current project, I switch to another one. If the voice is different enough, I can switch gears without too much adjusting.<br /><br />I have to take breaks when I start getting headaches from too much staring at a screen.Joanne R. Fritzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08076959910493197255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-9188697898104986112014-05-12T16:14:14.974-05:002014-05-12T16:14:14.974-05:00Great post, Chris -- especially as I transition to...Great post, Chris -- especially as I transition to full time writer next year. I tried to roll straight from an exhausting series writing schedule straight into a brand new idea (and I haven't retired yet!) and I think I came up against that "I need a vacation from writing" thing. I guess I thought, if I'm quitting teaching to write, I better darn well right!<br /><br />In fact, delaying writing can sometimes be beneficial to me when working on a first draft. Let the pressure build up -- and then pour it out on the page (usually late at night when the inhibitions are down).Dianne K. Salernihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16459839567235304842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-20781573327625008932014-05-12T15:27:05.742-05:002014-05-12T15:27:05.742-05:00I think it's really easy to spin wheels out of...I think it's really easy to spin wheels out of a fear of not producing rather than ease back when its necessary. Great, brave advice here, Chris.Caroline Starr Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04597510685273079757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-48323627458500040952014-05-12T11:05:12.348-05:002014-05-12T11:05:12.348-05:00Great point, Harrison. My post here mainly address...Great point, Harrison. My post here mainly addresses burnout, but the first step would be to determine if that's the problem or if it's something else. There are certainly other reasons for finding it difficult to write. I discussed difficulties with finding the time to write (or being disciplined enough to write regularly) in my post last month: http://project-middle-grade-mayhem.blogspot.com/2014/04/chris-eboch-on-finding-time-to-write.htmlKris Bockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16217265282250089583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-32995689320962018722014-05-12T10:43:12.074-05:002014-05-12T10:43:12.074-05:00I love what both you and Harrison say, Chris. My g...I love what both you and Harrison say, Chris. My goal this year--which came about because I realized I was giving myself an ulcer worrying about when or whether my agent would sell my debut novel--was to HAVE FUN. I have written a goofy chapter book, and am plunging into a new project. The middle grade novel I was writing (which was not fun, because I got stumped on the plot) has taken a complete back seat.<br /><br />The proof of my refocusing: my critique group unanimously agreed "We can tell you are enjoying yourself when you're writing this one."Michael G-Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07947421844294471304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-27034253960920192422014-05-12T09:13:07.098-05:002014-05-12T09:13:07.098-05:00This can be tricky, because a lot of the time, wri...This can be tricky, because a lot of the time, writer's block emerges from not writing *enough*. That is, you sit down to write and it doesn't come easily, and you don't sit down to write often enough to get past that, so writer's block becomes this thing you can't overcome. And of course, in that case, it's not going to be a matter of taking a break. It's going to be just the opposite.<br /><br />So the thing to do, I suppose, is to evaluate yourself. If you're putting in the time, take a break. If you're not putting in the time, get back to work. If you're stuck on a scene, try writing a different scene. If you're stuck on a story, try writing a different story. (I became a lot more productive when I started doing this with my songwriting.) If you usually write alone, write with friends. If you usually write with friends, write alone.<br /><br />Writing is one of those strange things for which there is no magic bullet. There is no right way. And that means most anything can work. You just need to be open to approaching things differently.<br /><br />Harrison Demchick<br />Developmental Editor, <a href="http://ambitiousenterprises.com" rel="nofollow">Ambitious Enterprises</a>Harrison Demchickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18341713037648122172noreply@blogger.com