Wild Forests

2005-04-10 - 9:35 a.m.

I've been feeling stuck and frustrated with my attempts at writing recently. I take out my notebook every morning on the train and write snippets, little snatches of dialogue or scenery, or if I'm really stuck, simple descriptions of people on the train. But it never extends into anything else - when I try to expand something, I sit there, stuck.

I think the problem is that because I only do these little snippets, I don't really create full characters, so I'm unable to let them roam free, in a sense, and tell their story. If I try to approach it from the other side, and sketch out a plot first, I get completely stuck. Scenes are fine, but nothing comes from them. Everything that comes into my head sounds like a cliche, and I sit there frustrated, wondering if I've ever had an original thought in my life.

I need to take a different approach to get past this, so I've decided to go the character route. Focussing on a character in a setting, fleshing them out, and trying to figure out why they're there, and where they're going. I'll see if that makes a difference.

I was a little more organised than usual and did a couple of loads of washing yesterday, which I'm grateful for as it's fairly overcast today, and I can hear rain beginning to spatter down on the roof.

Bird the budgie is sitting in her cage next to me doing some intensive preening - yanking at her feathers, itching her beak against her perch, and stretching each wing elegantly behind her as she cocks her head at me, waiting for me to admire her.

I've decided I need some projects and goals again. I miss the luxury of spending an entire day making decorated envelopes, or doing collage, or taking photos. Although it feels lovely to approach the weekend as a vast two day stretch of no to-do lists, it's not conducive to me being productive or creative. And ultimately, being productive and creative makes me happier than being lazy.

There are several things I want to do:
- practice violin at least once a week
- write something with a beginning, middle and end
- talk to West about doing some gentle karate training
- stretch for 5 minutes every morning
- make some beaded necklaces and earrings
- try out a new recipe once a week, or once a fortnight
- take photographs every weekend
- work on breathing properly while singing. Actually, work on breathing well all the time.

previous - next


journal latest archives extras reading recipes links design contact notes email guestbook lately Time wasting - 2005-08-29 Destorying the patriarchy - 2005-08-28 Remnants of winter - 2005-08-27 Careers - 2005-08-20 Fairy floss - 2005-08-18 diaryland	2005-04-10 - 9:35 a.m. I've been feeling stuck and frustrated with my attempts at writing recently. I take out my notebook every morning on the train and write snippets, little snatches of dialogue or scenery, or if I'm really stuck, simple descriptions of people on the train. But it never extends into anything else - when I try to expand something, I sit there, stuck. I think the problem is that because I only do these little snippets, I don't really create full characters, so I'm unable to let them roam free, in a sense, and tell their story. If I try to approach it from the other side, and sketch out a plot first, I get completely stuck. Scenes are fine, but nothing comes from them. Everything that comes into my head sounds like a cliche, and I sit there frustrated, wondering if I've ever had an original thought in my life. I need to take a different approach to get past this, so I've decided to go the character route. Focussing on a character in a setting, fleshing them out, and trying to figure out why they're there, and where they're going. I'll see if that makes a difference. I was a little more organised than usual and did a couple of loads of washing yesterday, which I'm grateful for as it's fairly overcast today, and I can hear rain beginning to spatter down on the roof. Bird the budgie is sitting in her cage next to me doing some intensive preening - yanking at her feathers, itching her beak against her perch, and stretching each wing elegantly behind her as she cocks her head at me, waiting for me to admire her. I've decided I need some projects and goals again. I miss the luxury of spending an entire day making decorated envelopes, or doing collage, or taking photos. Although it feels lovely to approach the weekend as a vast two day stretch of no to-do lists, it's not conducive to me being productive or creative. And ultimately, being productive and creative makes me happier than being lazy. There are several things I want to do: - practice violin at least once a week - write something with a beginning, middle and end - talk to West about doing some gentle karate training - stretch for 5 minutes every morning - make some beaded necklaces and earrings - try out a new recipe once a week, or once a fortnight - take photographs every weekend - work on breathing properly while singing. Actually, work on breathing well all the time. \| previous - next