GUEST BLOGGER: Vivi Anna
We have a guest blogger today--and she has a topic that I am SURE you will all relate to (I know I relate and then some!): FOCUS!
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Lately I’ve been struggling with staying focused. For a month I had no commitments or deadlines to worry about. I could’ve been working on the next Valorian Chronicles book, but hey, that would’ve made too much sense. In my mind, I was a free bird when it came to writing. I could write about whatever I wanted. Well, see, that’s a huge problem with me. Because I want to write everything. During that month, I started six separate projects, even going as far as writing synopses and writing first chapters. And I love them all. One more one day then the other mind you. Never two at the same time. So, I was at a loss of what I truly wanted to write, or what I should write.
I started looking at the markets, and what houses were buying what. Of course this just depressed me, because I didn’t have a new deal to rave about. But it did tell me a bit about which ideas of mine would be timelier, or I’m hoping ahead of the trend. But that left four solid projects to work on. Now what? I could work on all of them at the same time. But I couldn’t shop them all at the same time, so what would be the point. To me it would be a waste of time.
So, what should I work on??? Time ticks by and I still have no clue. My focus is gone.
The Oxford dictionary defines focus: a central point of attraction, attention, or activity. And there I see the problem, I’ve lost my point. The reasons I write. When I have a deadline I write to that, for my editor, so she always loves me. I’m under a time constraint and it works for me. I have a central point. Time.
So, without a deadline, for what point did I write? I realized that I write because I have to. Because I can’t not write and live peacefully with myself. I write because I love creating worlds and characters. I write because I love the process.
Without a deadline, I will drive myself insane with new ideas, but in the end I’ve satisfied my need to create. I may always have problems with focus, with channeling my gift into one project at a time. That’s my process I realize, and that’s okay with me.
How do you stay focused? Do you have an odd process that works for you?
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Visit Vivi Anna on the web. And run out to buy her Noctune, BLOOD SECRETS!
Now tell us about your focus!
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Lately I’ve been struggling with staying focused. For a month I had no commitments or deadlines to worry about. I could’ve been working on the next Valorian Chronicles book, but hey, that would’ve made too much sense. In my mind, I was a free bird when it came to writing. I could write about whatever I wanted. Well, see, that’s a huge problem with me. Because I want to write everything. During that month, I started six separate projects, even going as far as writing synopses and writing first chapters. And I love them all. One more one day then the other mind you. Never two at the same time. So, I was at a loss of what I truly wanted to write, or what I should write.
I started looking at the markets, and what houses were buying what. Of course this just depressed me, because I didn’t have a new deal to rave about. But it did tell me a bit about which ideas of mine would be timelier, or I’m hoping ahead of the trend. But that left four solid projects to work on. Now what? I could work on all of them at the same time. But I couldn’t shop them all at the same time, so what would be the point. To me it would be a waste of time.
So, what should I work on??? Time ticks by and I still have no clue. My focus is gone.
The Oxford dictionary defines focus: a central point of attraction, attention, or activity. And there I see the problem, I’ve lost my point. The reasons I write. When I have a deadline I write to that, for my editor, so she always loves me. I’m under a time constraint and it works for me. I have a central point. Time.
So, without a deadline, for what point did I write? I realized that I write because I have to. Because I can’t not write and live peacefully with myself. I write because I love creating worlds and characters. I write because I love the process.
Without a deadline, I will drive myself insane with new ideas, but in the end I’ve satisfied my need to create. I may always have problems with focus, with channeling my gift into one project at a time. That’s my process I realize, and that’s okay with me.
How do you stay focused? Do you have an odd process that works for you?
***********
Visit Vivi Anna on the web. And run out to buy her Noctune, BLOOD SECRETS!
Now tell us about your focus!
posted by Erica Orloff at 5:19 PM
8 Comments:
Interesting post, Vivi. There's a book called 7 Steps on the Writer's Path which says to ask, "where do you want your writer's path to take you next?" and then ask which choice will get you there. I find that helpful!
charlene:
I use visualization. But like Vivi . . . I seem to procrastinate when I don't have a strict deadline.
E
Great post, Vivi! Self-imposed deadlines are difficult for me. At times, an accountability partner seems to help.
Kathy:
Without my biweekly critique group, I wouldn't produce half of what I do.
E
I don't do focus.... and it's a huge problem for me. I have an attention of about 20 seconds. But give me a deadline and I'm good - not a self-imposed deadline... that doesn't work because I know I don't mean it. But with an outside deadline I'll work until my brain hurts... albeit it lots and lots of short bursts!
Wow, I'm so having the same problem. I haven't a clue how to motivate myself without Fear of Deadline or Fear of No Money.
*sigh* I had a free month, too. I got so little done, it's pitiful! I don't know what to do!
I'm with charlene and storynattie. And you, LOL. I need a real deadline. Fake, self-imposed deadlines do nothing for me, LOL.
(Sara, I think short attention spans are great ways to keep from writing pages of story without conflict. If I lose attention, I know I need to up the conflict!)
I haven't had to deal with deadlines yet (other than self-imposed ones), but, for me, when the right idea hits, I find it hard to think about anything else. I don't know if it's focus...more like compulsion. The story possesses me, and I can't get away from it until I write The End.
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