By Lisa Wingate
It happens to most of us
eventually. At some point
during the hours, and hours, and hours of writing that goes into the creation
of a novel, panic begins to set in.
The panic voice whispers things
like,
This story is a waste of time. It’s a total bomb.
You’ll never make that
deadline. Not with this
pile of hoo-hoo.
You’ve written yourself into a
corner now. You’ll never
get out.
It’s moving too slow.
It’s moving to fast.
It’s junk.
Rubbish.
What ever made you think you
could be a writer?
Does any of this sound
familiar? Am I talking to
the right crowd here? If
none of this rings a bell for you, please send me some of your mojo, because I
hit the panic point on every manuscript, and the latest release, Firefly Island
1. Keep trudging. I know it sounds elementary, but keep
putting words on the page, even if you’re convinced that they’re junk. A whole manuscript that needs work is
better than three perfect chapters any day. Don’t let the panic point knock you
off your writing schedule. It
can feel like you’re slogging through the mire, but even slogging will take you
somewhere.
2. Get out the index cards. Make notations about major plot points
you know will be in the story, then make notations about possible scenes. Lay
out the cards, arrange into chapters. If
you’re a seat-of-the-pants writer, you might change much of this later, but
having a potential plan is a great way to move past the panic point.
3. Add a character, remove a
character, kill a character, change locations. Consider changing the story up a
bit. A change in staff or
location might be just the burst of fresh air you need to get going again.
4. Brainstorm with a buddy. Talk through the scene with a
brainstorming buddy. Discuss
what might happen next and what wouldn’t happen next. Have your buddy hold you accountable
for getting on with your writing.
5. Exercise or do something creative. Never underestimate the power of
physical activity or creative activity to get the brain moving. If you have a cell phone or iPad, or
iPod, consider using the built-in dictation app and working on your story while
you walk or do a craft project. Sometimes
a change in writing location or routine can make a big difference.
6. Realize that it’s supposed to be
hard. That’s all there
is to it. For most of us,
writing an entire novel is hard. Why
shouldn’t it be? You’re
creating lives that never existed, on stages of altered reality, and trying to
make it all sound believable. And
that, my friends, is no small job!
Above all, don’t listen to the
panic voice. What does it
know?
It hasn’t ever written a novel,
now has it? _____________________________________________________________
Lisa Wingate is a magazine
columnist, inspirational speaker, and the author of twenty mainstream fiction
novels, including the national bestseller, Tending
Roses, now in its seventeenth
printing. She is a
seven-time ACFW Carol award nominee, a Christy Award nominee, and a two-time
Carol Award winner. She has
found success in both the inspirational and general fiction markets, writing
mainstream fiction for Penguin Putnam and Bethany House. Recently, the group, Americans for More Civility, a
kindness watchdog organization, selected Lisa along with Bill Ford, Camille
Cosby, and six others, as recipients of the National Civies Award, which
celebrates public figures who work to promote greater kindness and civility in
American life. Her latest book releases today,The Sea Glass Sisters is the
prequel novella toher bookThe
Prayer Box. More information about Lisa’s novels can be found
at www.Lisawingate.com Twitter:
http://twitter.com/#!/lisawingate
Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/lisawingatebook/
Blogging
Mondays at: www.SouthernBelleView.com
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