My second post for the Insecure Writers Support Group is about Panic. As a writer we are forced to meet certain deadlines and make compromises that do not always leave us smiling. As these deadlines approach time has a funny way of moving faster, excuses turn into a work of art, and as you stare at words that make no sense panic takes over. Do you recognize that feeling? If you are anything like me you tend to wait until that last minute. In a confused state of denial you will look at the calendar and at the clock and say, “That can’t be right!” So what do you do? How do you focus to get things done when that nasty panic takes control and you sit there like a zombie staring into space?
Overdrive is a natural built in human defense mechanism. For same strange reason panic is the trigger that puts me into overdrive. Once I accept it for what it is, I push it aside and move on with super speed to get things done. I work well under pressure, I do not waste time and I become more focused. So my word of advice here is to not fear panic, do not let it take control of you for too long. Panic came to visit for a reason, so once you have said hello, politely close the door as it leaves. Then you can find your super human “writing overdrive” and get things done.
8 comments:
It's not panic that I get, its a feeling of general malaise that surrounds any of the extended writing that I might be doing.
Am 30,000 words in to a novel, characters formed well, formulaic plot but familiar.
Haven't written a word in it in about a month, because I just don't care about it at the moment.
On the other hand a friend of mine writes her very best when panicked about a deadline.
It's a weird thing this whole writing caper.
But I like it!
Oh boy do I know about panic. I just experienced it myself not so long ago. And you're right about saying hello then ignoring it. Inviting it in will get you no where.
I can really relate to this today. The final edits of my fantasy novel are supposed to be done by November. Ahhh. It's too soon :)
I think NaNo last year helped to find that overdrive mode, because I was determined to do it!
I've never had to write under pressure but I imagine it would be quite difficult. I have a friend who is trying to make her publisher's deadline for her second novel and she's freaking out. But she is getting it done.
While I do tend to work best under pressure, I'm not sure I could write a novel under it.
I am far better under pressure--makes me more disciplined and gives me clear focus. Guess it comes from being in academics.
My middle name is panic. Not just about writing though.. I'm shocked I don't have an ulcer! I guess you are gone on your trip now. I hope you have a blast and don't forget to keep us posted.
A great pick for this, Sis,
I am like you, of course, I wait until the last minute and crank it out. During A-Z last year, when so many writers had there post written weeks in advance, I was researching and writing for the day before.
Some of my best writing came out of those posts. I did the same thing for Rach's Campaign challenge and for the Rule of 3 entry I posted this morning. I should have had it up yesterday, but I waited to post on the second day because I still hadn't finished it completely. I was up until 1:30 AM finishing it to post by 6:00 AM.
I hope you get a chance to read it. It features Aidan and his charming father again.
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