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| Nudibranch (otherwise known as a sea slug) photo by Arhnue Tan from Pixabay |
In February 2021, in my first post as a new member of Writers Who Kill, I wrote about the trouble I have when I start a new writing (or knitting) project. You can read that post, “Writing and Knitting: A Comparison from Psychedelic Batwing Sea Slugs to Pointed Sticks,” here. Now that I’ve been part of the blog for almost five years, it seems like a good time to give a progress report.
Have I overcome
the page paralysis problem in my writing? How about the knit-one, purl-two
paralysis of knitting? The simple answers are nope and nope. The page paralysis
is particularly bad after I finish a project, especially if that project is a
novel. I’m left feeling flattened and deflated and have trouble even imagining how
to start again.
It doesn’t
help to remind myself that my track record is good, that I can and will pick
myself back up. I’ve had eight books published since that 2021 post and another
is with the publisher and coming out in 2026. But, until I pick myself back up,
I’m flattened and feel even flatter because I feel flattened, and I end
up moping around and fussing at myself for slacking.
That is, I did
mope and fuss. Then I wised-up. Last year I started giving myself permission to
feel okay about being flattened—as long as I used that flat time to do other things.
Other things. So exciting!
What other things have I done? Well, as I said in that 2021 post, I’m good at creating flat rectangular things. Books are flat and rectangular and so are most of the few things I’ve ever knit. Working within that skill set, I’ve spread my creative wings and made the following flat rectangular things:
Paper!
Felt fabric!
Monotypes (one-of-a-kind prints)!
Molly MacRae writes the Haunted Shell Shop
Mysteries, the Highland Bookshop Mysteries, and the award-winning, national
bestselling Haunted Yarn Shop Mysteries. Visit Molly on Facebook and Pinterest, connect with her on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky.
When I finish a big writing project (a book), I experience the same flat feeling. What I learned to combat it, rather than trying to soldier on, is to give myself 30 days to read for pleasure without the critical eye of a writer. The reading recharges me.
ReplyDeleteThat's an excellent used of down time.
DeleteMolly what great advice. "Flattened" is the word. I've learned to immediately switch to writing a short story because it's do-able. That seems to recharge my battery. But I will give a salute to anyone who decides to write a full-length novel!
ReplyDeleteHopping into a short story is a great idea, Martha. I did do that, post novel, this summer and it felt good.
DeleteI always have at least two projects going at any one time (because I am a slow writer). As a result, I have less of a "flattening" feeling after one book is complete--but it's still there.
ReplyDeleteHaving another project under way or lined up definitely helps. Another looming deadline, too. I think the flattening problem became acute when I retired from the day job. Too much time to on my hands to feel flat!
DeleteWhat a fun way to use your down time before feeling excited about a new writing project. I love your artwork.
ReplyDeleteThanks, KM. You're kind!
DeleteBeautiful creations! Debra and I react in much the same way. I give myself a set period of downtime. It varies by project. By the end of it, I'm itching to get back to writing.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kait! I like the idea of having a set number of days or weeks to relax and recharge. A vacation from a day job comes naturally. I need to apply that idea to the job of writing.
DeleteCongratulations, Molly, on picking yourself up after the end of each book and writing yet another one. As to your flat hobbies, at least they don’t take up much space in your house. Good choice of hobbies.
ReplyDeleteFlat is where it's at.
DeleteYou have such a plethora of talents! Glad your deflation ends and you keep writing books!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lori.
DeleteLove this, Molly!
ReplyDelete