Project Update #1
early days and early mornings
As of this moment, I have 3,470 words written for my new project. I would like to say that it’s beginning to take shape but that is untrue. It’s beginning to take form. There’s a difference. Taking shape means there’s enough there to get a sense of what it might become. Taking form means there’s the slightest bit of material present, enough to know that it will one day be something maybe possibly.
Whenever I sit down to start a big project, I tell myself I’m going to be super organized and outline the hell out of it which will basically mean the thing writes itself. That’s a fun theory. As it turns out I hate outlining and find it boring. It zaps me of creativity and leaves me staring at a blank page. It only ever takes me so far, which is nowhere. I should know myself well enough now to know that I have to write through the chaos. I’m simply not an outliner.
My current state of momentum is exciting. I’m happy with the work so far. As long as I stay focused on the moment and not the big picture, I can find a little bit of creative flow. The big picture is paralyzing. When I start to think about how much is left to write or how much I’ll need to rewrite or how much time will be needed, I spiral. So I’m trying my best to stay present.
What’s helping me right now is having a plan. The most effective strategy appears to be writing first thing in the morning. I get up, brush my teeth, feed the dog, and make my tea. Then I sit for a full hour and write without distraction. The phone is in another room and the world is still quiet. If I let anything creep its way into that process, I can kiss writing goodbye. It has to be first thing. My brain is clearest and least afraid. This meant waking up at 4:30 a.m. one day this week. But, honestly, there’s a sexiness to that. It’s like I’m a real writer.
Fingers crossed that I can keep up the mojo.
In other news, tomorrow will be one year since I got my dog! Happy Birdie Day to all who celebrate which should be everyone everywhere. You can read old Birdie posts here and here.
Keep going!!! You can do this. How exciting!