Saturday, September 23, 2006

Character Emotions and Fresh Writing

If I could choose any career field in the world, writing wouldn’t be it. I love to write, writing is my mission, but I didn’t choose to write. Writing chose me.

Saturday night and I’m up at midnight digging through the thesaurus trying to find the perfect word. I used shot 3 times in one scene. I need something else.

It’s hard sometimes to say something that hasn’t been said already, or say the same thing in a different way. How do you describe love in a way that hadn’t been described already? How do you empower your character’s emotions and keep your writing fresh?

I’m working on a Halloween short story. I’ve set my WIP aside to write this. I don’t know if it’ll be accepted or not, but even though it’s short doesn’t mean it took any less commitment from me. Maybe more, actually. I didn’t realize it’d be so hard. Smells are harder for me than anything, I think. In going through my short story, I realized I have no smells or taste senses mentioned, and Halloween is full of smells and taste.

Going back to my current WIP, I looked through it and decided it needs changing. The first chapter is a cliché. It takes too long for the characters to meet. I haven’t even gotten close to finishing it, but I got stuck so went back. I think I’m stuck because it’s not working for me. A lot of good material, but it needs to be changed, and I don't know where to start. I know I need to keep writing.

Do you ever get disgusted with writing? I'm probably just tired and definitely calling it a night.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yes, there are definitely those "uninspired" times, when you're really working to get the words out. But you'll get it :)

Carol Ann said...

Sure does. That's a sign that I'm thinking too much, letting the internal editor take over. Don't get discouraged. Your muse will return.

Unknown said...

Oh my, I can relate Emma.

I've been thesaurus diving myself a time or two (or a million). Sometimes walking away from it, even for an hour or two can help. Don't be too hard on yourself. You'll reach the point when everything clicks into place and the story will take off flying.

Good luck!

Jennifer McKenzie said...

I'm going through it now. I just talked to someone and was telling them how I hate my current wip.
I get frustrated with my own mistakes. I have to keep writing even if I'm frustrated with it.
Like you said, I didn't choose writing, it chose me.
Best thing I know is let others read it and then THEY can see what's really wrong.
That helps me.

Alyssa Goodnight said...

I alternate between feeling disgusted and feeling really pleased. Quite the roller-coaster ride...

And I just hate when that one perfect word is on the tip of your brain and you can't reach it. Nothing else is as good, and you go away obsessed.

A Halloween story sounds fun--good luck with it!

Scarlett Sanderson said...

I completely know how you feel, Emma. Sometimes when you write something you feel as if you are writing it over and over again, be it a word, or a sentence.

I'm okay with scents/smells, it's emotions I get stuck on.

Good luck with the halloween story though. I'm sure everything will run smoothly :)

Lora Darling said...

I don't get disgusted as much as I go through the "I really can't write" phases. I have days where I wait for someone to knock on the door, steal the computer, and slap me on the wrist for thinking I could have "made it"
We're all nuts, aren't we? :)

Unknown said...

Emma, you weren't kidding about being disgusted by writing were you!

Get back here girl, because I'm certainly not disgusted with reading what you write, lol.

Like I'm one to talk... I've been struggling to find the time to keep up with my own daily posts.

Hope all is well and the writing has been flowing.

Kelley Nyrae said...

I have those moments too. In those times I have to step away for a day or two and get my footing.

Cara North said...

I use the same words over and over sometimes too. My best investment has been the Writer's Thesauraus, though I just bought it a couple weeks ago it is already better than my regular one. LOL!
Keep plugging at it! Some of the best romances are not on the romance shelves. Look at Nicholas Sparks. :)