Whenever I stop writing for any period of time then I will read or pursue other creative interests. Then after a while--usually pretty quickly--I will be inspired to write again. And sometimes just the act of writing will inspire more writing. I guess that's the writer's zone that I tend to be in...
The Insecure Writer's Support Group
The co-hosts for the May 6 posting of the IWSG are Feather Stone, Beverly Stowe McClure, Mary Aalgaard, Kim Lajevardi, and Chemist Ken!
May 6 question - Do you have any rituals that you use when you need help getting into the ZONE?
Being a somewhat lazy person I usually have to push myself to write. Maybe laziness is not my biggest problem though since when it comes time to do something I can be a hard worker. My biggest problem is that I'm more of a thinker than a doer. So many plans left unfinished or never started are the result of a certain inability to focus and stay on track. I am very easily distracted.
The "zone" of inspiration and motivation is not something that is easy for me to conjure out of the blue. Where do ideas come from and what motivates me to pursue them? Inspiration is everywhere it seems--maybe a song I hear, a news item that catches my attention, or something I see that fascinates me. The bottom line is that unless I just sit down to write the act of writing will not happen until I just do it.
Sadly, much of the time I don't just write to be writing for my pleasure, but I write out of a certain sense of duty. Fortunately I can enter the Zone better through blogging. Staying on a schedule of publishing posts provides me with an obligation to write something and hopefully write it well enough to attract readership--my own little circle of readers, but someone reading nonetheless. I create this deadline to deliver the goods to my blog and that keeps up some semblance of being a writer.
And since it is blogging for the most part that keeps me writing, what better way to immerse myself in the act of writing (and reading) than the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge which I have just completed along with a few hundred other dedicated bloggers meeting their own blogging deadlines.
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| Another Challenge under my belt! |
A to Z 2020 Reflections
Okay, I did finish and I am relatively pleased with my work. This year I did very little planning or pre-Challenge preparation. I meandered through April with a stream-of-consciousness approach which is just the way I like it--my favorite way to write.
Sorry to all the bloggers who I didn't get around to visiting during this 2020 Challenge. It's just me with my poor blogging habits again. Oh well, there is still next year as well as the upcoming A to Z Road Trip during which I just might get inspired to make my visiting rounds. Hopefully I'll get in that "Zone" at least a little now and then.
Thanks to all who visited my blog posts during April and especially to those who commented. Now let's get back to whatever we need to get back to...
Congratulations on another A-Z completion. You may have not planned, but you executed. That counts for a lot.
ReplyDeleteLiza, success is accomplishment no matter how I get there.
DeleteLee
Congratulations on another successful Challenge. If it keeps you writing, that's good.
ReplyDeleteI'm a lazy writer, but I'm a very hard worker and a doer in other areas.
Congratulations on finishing another A to Z. You did very well, despite minimal planning.
ReplyDeleteI missed the sign-ups for A to Z this year. Dang it! Congrats on completion!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on another A to Z.
ReplyDeleteI probably don't think enough, I just do.
It's good that blogging inspires you to stick to your writing schedule.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Arlee. I again apologise for not participating in the challenge owing to the Global Crisis felt I couldn't concentrate. As you know I do so love the challenge...... right from the first one all those years ago. once again Lee Sorry.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
You know, sometimes I get in the mood just by sitting in front of the computer and free thinking. Writing does inspire writing.
ReplyDeleteA-Z has sure been a long running event. I remember when it first started. Wow; kudos that its doing so well.
Blogging keeps me writing too. I want to feel that enthusiasm I felt when I first discovered what writing a story felt like. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
Being easily distracted seems to be a common complaint among writers, and was a problem long before we had to stay home more due to the virus. I suspect it has something to do with the way we've led our lives...eclectic interests and a curiosity about everything (which leads to a lot of research, reading, exploring).
ReplyDeleteHi Lee!
ReplyDeleteI had no plans to accept the April Blogging A to Z Challenge until two days before it began. I'm glad I did it! It was definitely motivating to feel like I had an assignment every day. I do wish I knew more about navigating the spreadsheet. I would have visited more folks than I did. Nonetheless, the challenge was invigorating enough to leave me perfectly in the Zone of inspiration ;-)
Congratulations on finishing that A-Z challenge. I didn't visit at all, but past A-Z challenges helped immensely in keeping me writing. Yes, that little external push from making a commitment helps. I enjoyed how you describe what inspires you to write!
ReplyDeleteI don't do A to Z just not me, I'm to damn lazy for it
ReplyDeleteWell done Lee - your years with the A-Z were the best.
ReplyDeleteIf you don't want to sit and write have you thought about dictating interesting snippets ... either into a machine for later transcription - or even using the phone for short snippets. I used to transcribe someone's work - he had challenges with writing ... but had lots to say - so I was able to put onto paper for him.
Stay safe and take care - Hilary
I hear what you mean about writing out of a sense of duty. Back when I didn't have a lot of time to write, I cherished every chance I had to write. Now that I've dedicated myself to finishing another book this year, I sometimes have to force myself to write when I'm not necessarily in the mood.
ReplyDeleteThanks Arlee for another comprehensive answer to both IWSG and Reflections A to Z day, wrapped up into one. Sorry I did not visit you during the A to Z. Congratulations on your 11th completion though. Love your road trip badge, did you create it yourself ? Regularly listen to your Battle of the Bands though I don’t always vote. My musical culture is somewhat out of the ‘zone’ of your very American examples, but I enjoy them nevertheless, often learning a lot along the way.
ReplyDeleteMy A to Z was extracts from my novel in progress. Please visit, comments are still open and I would really value your feedback if you have a snippet of time to spare.
Wishing you an inspiring month of writing. Like you, I am naturally lazy, but when dedicated, a very hard worker. And writing goes on in my head constantly, never without a pen and notebook at hand, however small.
Take care, stay safe. Looking forward to reading you soon.