I've been...busy? I'm not sure with what. I mean, yeah, I've written 8k on a new project and edited a few more chapters of the cyborgs. Oh, and I spent today cleaning and organizing and running errands to buy stuff that will help us clean and organize more effeciently...if that makes sense. I'm sick of all this junk sitting around my house!
So I guess it's not a time thing—I've just been really boring.
The writing is also going, uh, weird lately. I started Spork (which I also call Metaforge or The Brothers), got about 30 pages in, and kinda started doubting its merit. And now I'm about 30 pages in on Death Calls and feeling the same way.
This, for me, is strange, especially since I have two alpha readers who've enthusiastically encouraged me to continue with both of them. And deep down I know I love both stories, but writing has been so difficult for me lately. Exhausting.
I think I've hit a little slump.
Have you ever seen Kiki's Delivery Service? Well, if you haven't, you need to go rent it or put it on your Netflix list or whatever. No, I mean it. Right. Now. Kiki's a witch in training who's out on her first year alone. She runs a flying delivery service and it's the most adorable coming of age movie in the world.
Isn't she just the cutest little witch you've ever seen? Anyway, at one point in the movie, Kiki loses her mojo, so to speak. And that's what I feel like. My magic has slipped away from me, and I'm kinda floundering around trying to find it again. I'm not sure why it left, exactly. But I know it'll come back, I'm just not sure when.
Now excuse me while I go looking for it again. Maybe it'll come back if I feed it brownies.
I know what you mean about losing your mojo. It happened to me with my poetry. And I'm still struggling to figure out where it went.
ReplyDeleteAs for the stories, I'd say to just keep writing at them. Maybe the problem is only that this section is dragging you down but once you get past it you'll find the love again and it will be smooth sailing.
Hope that the brownies help. I know you've now got me craving one.
I think everyone loses their mojo sometimes. You just have to keep going and get past it. Or, as Wilson says on House (I don't know if you watch it, but it's fun) "Don't worry about your mojo. It's right where you left it. Just keep playing with it."
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'm with NWA. It could just be this part. And the brownies are worth a try. Personally, I feed my mojo Diet Coke.
I LOVE Kiki's Delivery Service! Best. Movie. Ever.
ReplyDeleteI totally get what you mean when you say you've lost your mojo. I feel like that sometimes. But, as I tell my mother all the time, focus on all the positive things and what you HAVE done. And if all else fails, take a long break and eat your weight in brownies. 'Cuz that ALWAYS works.
:D
Anything chocolate should work! :) I love that movie, too, but haven't seen it in a while.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I think there's a writer's mojo-loss epidemic going around. I've spoken to/read of quite a few people who feel the same way (including myself). What is it? It isn't fun. If you figure out how to get rid of it, let me know. Please.
ReplyDeleteI don't know (obviously), but from this point of view I sometimes get the impression that, because of all your work on Ninjas, you feel like you know what it takes to write a good novel now; consequently, your new projects aren't good enough for your (new) standards, what with being rough drafts and all.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, that's just an impression, like I said. It probably says more about me than you.
And add another point for Kiki's (a movie I'd never have watched if I didn't have kids): airships.
I agree with Adam. Have you watched Laputa and Naushika? Mononokehime is good too.
ReplyDeleteYou know I know where your coming from - right down to shopping for the supplies to get me more organized. I have come to the conclusion that the energy we need to write - call it Muse or Mojo or whatever - comes in waves. When we're in a trough, we are certainly in a trough and nothing you can do seems to get you out of it. But trust the wave because as surely as it brought you into a resting phase it's going to carry you back up there to the creative zenith again.
ReplyDeleteThings I do in the trough:
Read a lot
Write outlines for WIPs - if the words aren't coming to progress the MS them at least organize yourself to make it easier when they come back.
Spring clean - I'm not just talking about your home here (even though for me it's normally a huge part of it) but it's a bit like applying a bit of Feng Shui to your life generally to unclutter the path to your creativity. When stuff builds up around me it kills creativity stone dead.
Get out - Fresh air is a key constituent to unclogging the mojo. It clears the cobwebs from your mind and invigorates the mental environment.
Chill - don't worry about it. You need to take a break every now and then. Trust that your mind knows when it needs one and relax. You'll also know when that restless feeling returns that it's time to get back to it.
Love the cute witchipoo. xxx
Nick said, "Have you watched Laputa and Naushika? Mononokehime is good too."
ReplyDeleteHeck, yes. My favorite Miyazaki movies (among my favorite movies of all time) are Laputa, Nausicaa, Mononoke Hime, and Porco Rosso.
The only Miyazaki movies I haven't seen are Howl's Moving Castle and Ponyo. I'm itching very much to see them, but getting English-subbed (or even dubbed) anime out here is almost impossible.
NWA and Dom, you're right. I will keep writing. Maybe not a fast as I'd like, but I will!
ReplyDeleteAnna, doesn't chocolate always work? Maybe that's my magic...
Sara, I will let you know.
Adam, you are very perceptive. I think a lot of it has to do with how much I've grown as I writer, especially in the revision arena.
Janey, Thanks for the suggestions! I know it'll come back, and I can be patient. It's not like I'm, uh, lacking in things to do.
You know that I know what you're going through. And you also know that I have SO been there myself. Several times. Actually, once a month or so.
ReplyDeleteEveryone needs to do what is best for them, but I personally find taking a break from it all to be the best.
And by "it all," I mean ALL. No blogs, no serious writing. It might even call for no writing, period.
Sometimes it's just a huge relief to remember the person that I was before I started writing seriously. To have other things that I value myself with. To just relax, for crying out loud.
Hope you get your groove back. I'm here for you.
Okay, Kiki is officially added to my netflix cue. Your mojo will come back, but while it's gone would you mind if it came to visit me? I could use a boost too. ;)
ReplyDeleteIn the meantime, maybe you need a week off for relaxing/organizing? Sometimes that really helps get the creative juices flowing. :)
favorite movie ever.
ReplyDeleteI'm going through the same thing at the moment. It's always like this when school starts, but it just came so quickly this year and I'm right in the middle of my book. I started it in July and I hoped that I'd be done by the end of september...but the Halls of Hell have kinda thrown a wrench into my system.
So I'll just have to keep working and wait it out. My mojo always returns bigger and better than before anyway, so I see this as more of a growth period.
Have you seen Ponyo yet? It sounds AMAZING.
JT, I haven't seen it yet! I'm DYING. That reminds me that I need to make that top priority this week—must. see. Ponyo.
ReplyDeleteIf you are trying to get your mojo back Kiki's way then you don't need brownies. You just need one of your friends to be in mortal danger and you have to 'fly' in and save them. Simple right? :) (I've loved that movie since Junior High.)
ReplyDeleteBut in all seriousness I think your mojo will work it's way back sooner than your expecting. In the meantime just have fun and be yourself.
Out of curiosity what do you think of My Neighbor Totoro?
ReplyDeleteIt's my favorite of his.
I grew up on Totoro, Heather! It's definitely up there as one of my faves, though I love them all.
ReplyDeleteIf it was anybody but you, Natalie, I would tell them to write through it....just do it!
ReplyDeleteBut you have no problem being productive....you write faster than anyone I know! So, maybe you inner writer is telling you it needs more time with these ideas before they move forward too much further.
Good Luck!
Shelley