May 28, 2009

Lack of Focus? (Oooh Sparkly Gnome!)

***Ok, well I've never REALLY set eyes on a Sparkly Gnome, but I'd like to! (I even googled it ... they don't exist ... possibly an idea to patent????)***
~~~
It appears I may be having a temporary lack of focus. (I say temporary because I am in denial of it turning into a possible permanent condition) Now that I have queried my first batch of agents, I can't seem to get my head back on on the 'write' track. I have a new book idea, but instead of actually putting the pretty pink pen (because all stories look better written in pink!) in my hand and splashing the words onto the paper of my new green (I love green!) notebook, I have been sitting here and letting the details swim around in my, already overly crowded, head. I'm not completely sure why I haven't started spilling out my story yet, but there are a few reasons why I think I am keeping it bottled up....

1. I can't decide WHAT my characters are. Are they people? Are they human? Are they little tiny gnomes running around in a pretty little garden full of flowers and pumkins? (Yeah probably not...) So I don't feel like I can start a story without answering this question. Reasonable enough...right?

2. Well up until yesterday it was because I didn't have a new notebook to devote to it...ruined that excuse.!

3. What if there is still more to do with the other story and I am jumping into the new one too soon! (I suppose choosing not to work on either of them isn't solving this problem though eh?)

4. What if this book is better than the first and my amazing first idea falls to the background even though it was the whole reason I began aspiring to be a novelist in the first place! (wow...that sounds kinda whiney doesn't it....scratch that excuse!)

5. Um....my pink pen ran out of ink....ok um...that's a lie....sigh...

All in all a pile of poor excuses ... well minus the first one. It really is a problem! ...

Has this ever happened to you? Have you ever lost focus on your writing after finishing a novel? What did you do?

Ok, as promised, I am to award my FIRST Favorite Gnome Approved Blog Award (That's right...I changed the name. I just didn't understand the 'Honest Scrap' reference!) And I have chosen this new picture...

So my first award goes to Words Words Words for her entertaining yet informative views on becoming a writer. I especially like her blog titles and occasionally obsure blog topics! Give her site a visit, possibly join her Blogaholics Anonymous!

And 1st 2 Facts about me...

1. God created me a bargain shopper by making me little and able to wear children's clothing and shoes! This comes in handy when trying to save money! (So it's kinda his fault I'm addicted to Target!)

2. I rode my first 2 Wheeler when I was 4 yrs old. Something about having 5 older brothers and sisters that didn't have training wheels brought on the determination! (Full of determination even at a young age...I'm bound to be successful I tell ya!)

20 comments:

Ann said...

Wow, amazing that you rode your first 2 wheeler at the age of four!

I'm a bargain shopper too, if it's not on sale, I don't buy.

Unknown said...

yeah I'm a regular little Accomplishment Goddess!!! (that LOVES a great bargain!)

Jessica Nelson said...

Huh. I'm always losing focus. LOL
I'm jealous you're little! I'm 5'10and I have to buy my pants long or they're too short. Lucky girl. :-)

JM81 said...

Hrm...I thought that would have been "OOOOHHH Sparkly Edward!" :)

Hilabeans said...

We really are in the same boat. I can ABSOLUTELY relate!!! So much pressure - you're overwhelmed with "what ifs" and at the same time riddled with guilt for not writing. It's weird how querying agents kills writing mojo.

Excellent post!! :)

HHS

Krista Phillips said...

I'm struggling with # 4 right now actually. I have new stuff but want to make sure the old stuff is as good as I can get it.
UGH!

Krista Phillips said...

UGH! I meant #3... but maybe #4 too, LOL

Jody Hedlund said...

Oh, that's a super cute award! :) And yes, I think we all go through that phase of wondering if what we wrote was a load of dung. When we have the chance to begin our next book and we're growing as a writer, the previous ones look even worse and worse. I'm sure even when they're on the bookshelf in the store, we'll have our doubts!

Unknown said...

Thanks Jody! Although I'm SURE your books are far from a load of dung! (As for the award...it's on it's way to you...hope you like gnomes :D! )

Unknown said...

Believe me Jessica...being little has it's faults... Try needing a stool to reach things in the cupboard! It's a pain!

JM81 Sparkly Edwards are REALLY nice too!!!

And Krista...isn't that a pain in the bum (um both 3 and 4!)

Tana said...

A story usually comes to me in snippets. Also, I've been known to flesh out characters and setting and begin without full formation of the plot. (not suggested ;)

Katie Ganshert said...

Your website is uber cool! Can't wait to read your synopsis. I guess I didn't realize you wrote fantasy adventure. do you know I also have read the Harry Potter books multiple times? My husband often joked that Harry was getting in between us again! And Edward is, of course, my secret boyfriend.

Unknown said...

Yeah I'm a Harry Potter addict...actually reading the 7th book for the 4th time right now. Well I had to read the 6th before the movie...and then I couldn't stop...I had to read the 7th too!!!

And um...we're gonna have to put up a fight over Edward!!

Thanks for the Website love :D

Danyelle L. said...

I've had this problem before, but all those ideas that tried to seduce me while I was actually writing the now-finished novel are very helpful for getting out of this slump. For me it's a combination of that, discipline, and lots of glue (for the chair).

Unknown said...

I may need some of your butt to chair glue Danyelle! Feel free to send some along :D

Katie Ganshert said...

About Edward.... rumor has it, you wear kids clothes from Target. So that must mean your a wee one. I've got size, and I'm not afraid to use it... especially not for my Eddie. :)

Traci said...

Sparkling gnome eh? And just when you thought the world was safe! LOL

Traci said...

THANKS so much for the blog award and you kind words!!! Lurvee ya!

Scott said...

MaryBeth, wandered over here from LitGirl01's blog.

Been there, done that, and very recently. I call those moments where I just can't write . . . The Void (insert sound of computer generated voice echoing those words over and over again). I had the ideas in my head, but just couldn't put pen to paper. I finally broke through by just starting to write things done. I suddenly came up with what I thought was the perfect sentence and the words flowed forth from that spring.

So, keep thinking, let the thoughts perculate as long as they need to, and write when you write. Focusing on the frustration of not writing is never, trust me on that one, a good thing.

Best of luck.

S

Unknown said...

Thanks Scott..wander away! Good to hear I'm not the only unfocused writer :D