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It's been a long year, hasn't it? We've all had highs and lows, joys and sorrows, successes and failures.
I don't know about you, but I am tired - physically, mentally, emotionally, creatively. And even though I enjoyed NaNo and plan on applying that "disciplined half-ass" attitude to writing and to life, I find myself feeling . . . undone, a little lost. I'm not sure what to do next, where to turn, which direction to travel.
I'll figure something out. I always do. (I'm too stubborn not to.) But I welcome your suggestions and advice and encouragement. And if you're feeling a little "off" yourself, please feel free to share that, too. We're all in this together.
I think that's normal especially toward the end of the year. All of us are taking stock of our year. It's more a time to reassess than work.
ReplyDeleteGiving yourself permission to rest makes a world of difference. It's hard for me to relax, so I switch gears and do something else like garden, paint, or cook. Even when I'm doing on something else, the brain is still figuring out the other problems I haven't tackled.
Enjoy the season. Let your subconscious work out the details of what to do next while you're busy doing something else.
Thanks, Maria. I, too, struggle with true relaxation so your idea of doing something like painting, etc. rings true, hopefully letting my subconscious work things out as I go.
DeleteI know that feeling. Last year just took it out of me. Step back and relax, give yourself some time, and things will turn around. Chocolate always helps too. :)
ReplyDeleteAh, chocolate! My old friend...and arch enemy when it comes to snacking and weight. Sigh. :)
DeleteI'm feeling just the same. I wish I had advice but I can only say I know we will both find new directions or plans that get us where we need to be. As others have said, I do think it's important to give yourself a chance to rest and take a break. Then you will come back kicking ass and taking names. :D
ReplyDeleteI believe that, too, Julie, and I believe in you and in myself.
DeleteAnd as long as the new directions we travel in don't take us to Terminus or Alexandria, we'll be okay. :)
I think it's time for all of us to relax a little bit. This is the perfect time of the year to do it. :)
ReplyDeleteSounds good to me, Chrys! I think we should all give it a try.
DeleteI hit that feeling after every book release. It will pass!
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed!
DeleteI find my creativity runs in cycles. I'll spend a while working on one book, and then get side tracked on something visual, like drawing my characters or a map of my world or designing something symbolic. Then the writing itch comes back and I'm amped up and ready to go again. Maybe that might be the way with you too?
ReplyDeleteGood thought, Loni! I definitely think my creativity - and oomph in general - run in cycles. I do want to get into something more artistic/crafty, work those other areas of my brain.
DeleteVery off. So very, very off, I can't stop using useless adverbs. Time for lunch.
ReplyDelete(Thanks for stopping by my blog.)
Hmm, maybe lunch will help, at least a little?
DeleteWe'll both just have to hang in there....
Are you putting on pressure or taking it off? I find when I'm burned out I just need to lax up a little. (Or a lottle.) You're going to get the mojo back, I know it.
ReplyDeleteGreat question, Crystal! I'm definitely putting the pressure on. Maybe if I ease up on myself, the mojo will return sooner rather than later.
DeleteMadeline, it has been a long year. I'll enjoy my three week blogging vacation over the holidays. And I have a character in my latest book with your name, only its spelled Madelyn.
ReplyDeleteI went to school with a girl who spelled her name that way. :)
DeleteEnjoy your break!
I just read SK's tired post! I hear you about being tired, that's exactly how I feel. I'm definitely feeling "off" and my solution is to let up a little. I think this is a great time to relax and loosen up some of the pressure we put on ourselves. I bet after a month of reading and relaxing, you'll be ready to get back out there!
ReplyDeleteI nodded along with SK's post, too. I really do like the idea of loosening up a little, of reading and relaxing a bit more....
DeleteAww!- the tortoises are adorable. I've never done nano- it's just too overwhelming for me, but congratulations on finishing it!
ReplyDeleteI will let the tortoises know they have a new fan. :)
DeleteAnd thanks!
I am thinking that the 7-days-a-week approach of NaNo is too much, and no wonder we're all burned out by December. I'm going to try to keep up the discipline--but only on weekdays. So far, I'm doing so-so. Still have to finish the novel.
ReplyDeleteI love NaNo, but it's definitely exhausting in more ways than one.
DeleteGood luck with finishing the novel!
There are so many pressures in our every day lives now. It is draining in every way. I'm sure feeling it. But, what are we all without hope? I'm confident that 2016 will be a great year! And I wish that for you!
ReplyDeleteI'm hopeful about 2016, too, even if I'm not sure what exactly I'm going to do in it yet. :)
DeleteI hope 2016 is a great one for you, too!
Normally I rest after NaNo, because I get tired too. But not this year. Too much to do. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from Elements of Writing
Keep going, Anna! :)
DeleteI feel like that sometimes... directionless. Aimless. It's a bit scary, isn't it? But at the same time, exciting. Anything could be next :) When I get into those modes, I like to read a lot, and (this is the honest truth) I like to write the things I know I would NEVER show another person. Maybe scenes in my head I haven't put to a story but would still like to write. It gets the creative juices flowing and then I suddenly can't wait to start writing some new idea.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, you WILL figure it out! And yes, it's been a long (but good) year. And we'll all be meeting for Jan's post before we know it! Happy holidays!
I really like the concept of looking at the aimlessness as more of an opportunity, as anticipatory. And writing new and different things (for me) might be a lot of fun. Thanks for the ideas!
DeleteYeah, it happens to me, too, after I've submurged myself in something. I look forward to getting to the end of it but then I feel a little lost when it's over. But like you said - you'll figure something out. You always do!
ReplyDeleteI think NaNo has a lot to do with it for me. I enjoyed it, and I kind of miss it now that it's over.
DeleteI definitely recommend a short break. Allow yourself some time to just enjoy life for a bit. Something will come up to give you direction again.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of a break has been mentioned here a few times...hmm, maybe you all are on to something. :)
DeleteI always get that feeling when I finish a first draft or hit publish. I'm not sure what to do next. Usually, I take a little break and relax, revel in completing something then make a to-do list with a plan on what to work on next.
ReplyDeleteI don't do enough reveling. :)
DeleteI felt like that after I'd been writing and querying for a few years, before I got my agent. I'm very goal oriented, so I have to feel like I'm going somewhere to have a sense of purpose. But I got a little too obsessed with writing what I thought agents might like, instead of just writing what I enjoyed. So, I allowed myself to just write whatever I wanted to and flit between projects for a while. After that, I decided to go ahead and self publish my one series. Of course, the humor of the universe, two weeks after I released my first book I got an agent :) But it helps to take some time off, and/or let yourself just write, without a particular agenda, just for fun.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing that part of your writing journey, Alexia. And I hear you about universe's sense of humor. :)
DeleteI've been off for a few months now . . . teetering on the edge of the tracks when it comes to one big project, but I'm keeping on, keeping on. That's it.
ReplyDeleteI did take some of your advice/ideas from a few months ago, and I'm standing up for part of my writing and social media time now. It helps my back and keeps me . . . "on my toes." I'm really into puns and cliches today - they seem to be everywhere in my writing.
And, here's a quote from a Stan Lee interview I liked from a recent Costco magazine article:
"Life is tough for a lot of people. If you can do something that brings someone else just a little bit of relief or pleasure - like telling them a really great story, maybe - that's not a bad thing to do, right? I've learned to be happy with the work I do, rather than apologetic for it." - Stan Lee, Marvel Comics.
Happy life, writing, and path-finding!
We will definitely keep keeping on. :)
DeleteGlad the standing is working for you. I do find it helps me feel physically stronger rather than all slumpy in my chair.
Love that Stan Lee quote! I might have to steal it for a Motivational Monday one of these days. :)
Forward is the only way to go, right?! Of course, there are many roads you can take...
ReplyDeleteI could always just sit awhile here at the crossroads.... :)
DeleteI always feel a little lost after a finish a project. I think it's good when you're feeling that way to step back and think a bit. I also like getting inspired by looking at other art (paintings, listening to music, movies, etc.). Eventually, you'll find your energy again.
ReplyDeleteI think looking at and maybe working on something more art and/or craft related would be helpful at this point. Diving into movies and reading would work for me, too.
DeleteIt's okay to feel like that. Writing does take a lot out of someone. Add the chaos of everyday life, things get even more tiring. I know you will figure it out. But you should definitely give yourself some time to just relax and recover. You deserve it:) Unfortunately for me, we still have tons of Christmas cleaning to do before I can really relax.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Murees!
DeleteThe housecleaning suffered during NaNo. If only I could strap dusting cloths to the bottom of the tortoises and send them across the living room floor.... It would take awhile, but they'd probably still be faster at it than me. :)
I feel that way, too, sometimes. There's nothing wrong with taking a break. Goodness knows the holidays are a timesuck.
ReplyDeleteI'm starting to warm up to this "break" idea.... :)
Delete2015 is a year to remember. Lows--almost lost my sister to flu/pneumonia/heart attack. Highs--a new granddaughter. Breaks are good. One of our group mentioned refilling the well. Good advice.
ReplyDeleteRefilling the well is so important, yet I find I rarely allow myself to do it. Sigh.
DeleteI feel the same way Madeline, feel emotionally drained out. I badly need a break. Hope next year will be a great one for all of us.
ReplyDeleteMaybe we all need to take a break so we can come back better than ever in 2016....
DeleteMadeline, I'm coming off a really bad year and feel I have nowhere to go but up. Getting my knee fixed is going to help, I've been reading a lot as mind therapy, and I'm trying some 500 word writing sprints this month to hopefully get my creative self back to work. When we get down in the dumps, regardless of the reasons, it takes time to recover. My friend Kevin Paul Tracy posted a powerful essay about this subject today on the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers blog. It's called "Get Your Head Right," and I highly recommend it: http://rmfw.org/get-your-head-right/
ReplyDeletePatricia, your posts about all the rehab - and reading! - you're doing always inspire me!
DeleteI'm sorry it's been a bad year for you. You're right, though - we've got nowhere to go but up. And we will!
I'll check out that post you mentioned, too.
I definitely need a break too. I'm really looking forward to Christmas vacation.
ReplyDeleteI think you might just need a break as well. It's normal to feel exhausted and a little blue after winning NaNo.
I think we should all put "breaks" on our holiday wish lists this year. :)
DeleteThis year flew by for me. I just returned from my mini vacation of two days and I feel pumped to get back into it. Maybe a break with re-energize you.
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Susan! Now get back to work. :)
DeleteCongrats on your NaNo win!
ReplyDeleteI think lots of bloggers/writers are feeling the end-of-year-slump.
Part of it is probably post-NaNo slump. Sometimes a short break can help recharge the batteries.
Thanks!
DeleteMy batteries definitely need recharging.....
Congrats on the win! Hopefully you can carry over some of that enthusiasm to your future writing. Let yourself have a little rest first. I think a lot of us get like this at times. It just shows that we're not complacent and thinking we've got everything worked out.
ReplyDeleteWe're definitely not complacent. Always striving! :)
DeleteI get tired a lot. Sometimes giving ourselves permission to sleep in on a weekend or take a nice long nap during the day is what we need to recharge.
ReplyDeleteI don't really give myself permission to do those things as often as I should. Definitely something to work on!
DeleteI'm definitely exhausted and feeling off. Maybe a small break or mental health week is called for.
ReplyDeleteI decided to give it a try. If you do, too, I hope it works well for you. :)
Delete