Jul 11Liked by Breakthroughs & Blocks, Chris Smith, Bec Evans
Exactly what I needed to hear today, as I hit a major milestone of 11,000 words written during my self-imposed virtual writing retreat this last weekend, and then haven't written a single word the last 3 days. Haha! I think I'm in a little slump. And as much as it terrifies me, I will try just sitting with that. Thank you!
Aleta - I know what you mean, I think the gap after a productive deep writing session, of the sort found on a retreat, can trigger a slump. Sit with it and when enough time has passed you'll find a small step and a gentle way back to the writing. Good luck.
Thanks Peter! It is so much easier to either avoid the pain or rush around with busyness to distract us. Here's to sitting. It will shift if we give it time and space. In the meantime, you'll find me like Raymond Chandler says, looking out the window or standing on my head or writhing on the floor :)
Ah yes, endings and beginnings -- tough places to write from, I find. Thanks for this and the reminder to just turn up and commit the time - no matter the outcome that day. I needed that.
Just like "fresh starts" can give us energy, "completions" prompt us to rest and build energy. If only there were a way to not have chapters feel like something "finished"....hmmm...I wonder if writers who produce cliff-hangers have fewer problems with carrying on??
I also find these mini-completions raise added anxiety because they are the foundation for whatever comes next. If I haven't gotten [this] Right, what's the point in going on? I'll just have to change that all over again. So I re-read, mini-edit, or avoid totally rather than blunder ahead. When I can hold onto the Play of my writing-puzzle, it feels so much better, (A Game with a reset button! Perfect! No-risk!)
Your cliff hanger idea reminds me of the Zeigarnik effect which you are probably familiar with. It's the idea that our brains don't like open loops so if we leave something half finished we're more likely to want to return to it. It's the reason why some writers stop writing in the middle of a sentence when they know they could continue. Might be worth a go!
The unfinished sentence technique doesn't work for me. I just sit and stare at it, wondering what brilliant sentence THAT was going to be? (And that I will never will find again.) Bread crumbs of potential next thoughts can get me re-started more easily.
I'm not sure the "cliff-hanger" effect I was going for is just because of the open loop. I'm thinking more like being a reader -- what's happening next? Action, curiosity, imagining potential answers/outcomes. More engaged and emotional than I think of Zeigarnik loops. :-)
I think Zeigarnik incompletions are effective (when they are effective), because the brain keeps on Playing with the material and perhaps we are more likely to discover where we can go next when we get back to it. The shower-effect. ;-)
I think there is a lot more to be said and I love your approach to managing the anxiety of keeping going when what has passed might not meet our expectations. One thing you might have insight into - and I'd love to find out - is about how our brains are depleted by the cognitive load of writing and that makes us feel more negative. Is that your experience, something you've observed or have any basis in brain chemistry? Or is it just me!
Jul 22Liked by Bec Evans, Chris Smith, Breakthroughs & Blocks
Oh no! I just nearly finished a lovely commentary on cognitive fatigue, then lost the window and the post. As a living example of the effects of such fatigue and the brain-advice to just give up (to save further resources, you see), I can't re-do it right now. I'll try again tomorrow.... Sorry!
I totally understand the slump feeling - I'm the same whenever I complete a section of my memoir. I'm learning though that when I'm in those writing bursts I'm in deeper emotionally and mentally than I realise so once I've hit a point where I can pause or want to share with someone, it's like I let out a deep breath and need to mentally step away. That's how I've felt these past few weeks after sharing a draft with my editor/supporter, but I can feel myself warming up again. I'm mentally assembling various thoughts and ideas and I'm almost itching to pick up the pencil again. I guess the difference is that I've now realised this and have accepted it as part of the process. It's also how I operate in life, not just the writing part. I guess knowing this is helping me to reframe how I write, as in the process.
One of the benefits of ageing is that realisation when we spot patterns, and that gets us on the path to acceptance. It's not easy when we hit a slump or a block, but as you say, it is all part of the process. Any tips on re-framing writing (or life) most welcome!
Love writhing on the floor.
Yep, we've all been there! Definitely need to make this a writing tip :)
Well...any physical activity might help activate things. Writhing or shaking sounds more fun than running in place. :-)
Yes! Writers always talk about the link between walking and creativity, but there's a lot to be said for simply writhing.
Exactly what I needed to hear today, as I hit a major milestone of 11,000 words written during my self-imposed virtual writing retreat this last weekend, and then haven't written a single word the last 3 days. Haha! I think I'm in a little slump. And as much as it terrifies me, I will try just sitting with that. Thank you!
Aleta - I know what you mean, I think the gap after a productive deep writing session, of the sort found on a retreat, can trigger a slump. Sit with it and when enough time has passed you'll find a small step and a gentle way back to the writing. Good luck.
Yep. Totally agree. Distraction is the clear winner when a writing goal beckons.It swallows time effortlessly Doing nothing is good advice!
Here for sitting with nothing - though I could gaze out the window endlessly and without any discomfort!
I couldn’t agree more. Write or do nothing. It rings really true to my experience. It’s a hard place to sit but things do shift.
Thanks Peter! It is so much easier to either avoid the pain or rush around with busyness to distract us. Here's to sitting. It will shift if we give it time and space. In the meantime, you'll find me like Raymond Chandler says, looking out the window or standing on my head or writhing on the floor :)
Ah yes, endings and beginnings -- tough places to write from, I find. Thanks for this and the reminder to just turn up and commit the time - no matter the outcome that day. I needed that.
Just like "fresh starts" can give us energy, "completions" prompt us to rest and build energy. If only there were a way to not have chapters feel like something "finished"....hmmm...I wonder if writers who produce cliff-hangers have fewer problems with carrying on??
I also find these mini-completions raise added anxiety because they are the foundation for whatever comes next. If I haven't gotten [this] Right, what's the point in going on? I'll just have to change that all over again. So I re-read, mini-edit, or avoid totally rather than blunder ahead. When I can hold onto the Play of my writing-puzzle, it feels so much better, (A Game with a reset button! Perfect! No-risk!)
Your cliff hanger idea reminds me of the Zeigarnik effect which you are probably familiar with. It's the idea that our brains don't like open loops so if we leave something half finished we're more likely to want to return to it. It's the reason why some writers stop writing in the middle of a sentence when they know they could continue. Might be worth a go!
The unfinished sentence technique doesn't work for me. I just sit and stare at it, wondering what brilliant sentence THAT was going to be? (And that I will never will find again.) Bread crumbs of potential next thoughts can get me re-started more easily.
I'm not sure the "cliff-hanger" effect I was going for is just because of the open loop. I'm thinking more like being a reader -- what's happening next? Action, curiosity, imagining potential answers/outcomes. More engaged and emotional than I think of Zeigarnik loops. :-)
I think Zeigarnik incompletions are effective (when they are effective), because the brain keeps on Playing with the material and perhaps we are more likely to discover where we can go next when we get back to it. The shower-effect. ;-)
Ah great minds etc - I didn't know Bec was going to post about exactly the same topic :)
Hey Karen - I am so pleased this helped and when you need it. I did something on the cliff hangers a while ago - linking it with the Zeigarnik effect: https://open.substack.com/pub/breakthroughsandblocks/p/tip-3-the-cliff-hanger-effect?r=1uafr&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
I think there is a lot more to be said and I love your approach to managing the anxiety of keeping going when what has passed might not meet our expectations. One thing you might have insight into - and I'd love to find out - is about how our brains are depleted by the cognitive load of writing and that makes us feel more negative. Is that your experience, something you've observed or have any basis in brain chemistry? Or is it just me!
Oh no! I just nearly finished a lovely commentary on cognitive fatigue, then lost the window and the post. As a living example of the effects of such fatigue and the brain-advice to just give up (to save further resources, you see), I can't re-do it right now. I'll try again tomorrow.... Sorry!
Ha! A another cliff hanger!! Oh no - can't wait to hear your thoughts when you have a moment.
I totally understand the slump feeling - I'm the same whenever I complete a section of my memoir. I'm learning though that when I'm in those writing bursts I'm in deeper emotionally and mentally than I realise so once I've hit a point where I can pause or want to share with someone, it's like I let out a deep breath and need to mentally step away. That's how I've felt these past few weeks after sharing a draft with my editor/supporter, but I can feel myself warming up again. I'm mentally assembling various thoughts and ideas and I'm almost itching to pick up the pencil again. I guess the difference is that I've now realised this and have accepted it as part of the process. It's also how I operate in life, not just the writing part. I guess knowing this is helping me to reframe how I write, as in the process.
One of the benefits of ageing is that realisation when we spot patterns, and that gets us on the path to acceptance. It's not easy when we hit a slump or a block, but as you say, it is all part of the process. Any tips on re-framing writing (or life) most welcome!