Thread: Writing with stress

Hello everyone.

As I said in my introduction, I in the process of writing a novel that I have been working on for over 10 years (the idea at least) I have only finished one and there is still some work that I want to do on chapter 1. As far as Chapter 2 goes, I already have it planned out and I know what I want to happen and what information I want shared in the chapter.

The problem is I work a very stressful job, a job that requires me to deeply concentrate for hours at a time. Needless to say when I get home from work, I find my self too mentally exhausted to write. I even find that on days when i have to work, I can't write before I go in either because I am already thinking about what is ahead of me.

I also have problem writing my first day off, so If I get two days off in a row, I will not be able to do any writing until the second day. If it works out that my days off are split..... then that means no writing that week.

It took me over a month to write Chapter 1 and I still want to go back and change some things. At this rate, i will be an old man by the time my novel is finished.

I was wondering if anyone else was successful writing under my conditions and what are some steps I can take so that I can get something done?

Hi Ohoopee

How 'bout a writing holiday. Just you, a laptop (or pen and paper), a nice view and some peace. Throw in some good food and wine. What could be better? If you take family holidays then strike a deal; writing in the morning, family stuff in the afternoon (or an arrangement that suits both purposes)

Scott.

I can relate to the stress and mine isn't just at work. I sympathise with the mental exhaustion. I find a hot bath helps me to relax. Wine just befuddles my mind so I can't think.

I don't think I would even attempt to write a novel because that is just adding more pressure and stress to your life with the anxiety of not working on it.

I went through a period of extreme stress a couple months ago, and as hard as I tried I just couldn't write. I'd get a headache just trying to do anything. What I did was took a break from writing for a while until things got better. Trying to write when you're not up to it isn't going to help anything.

I've found that being anti-social has been helpful. I think I'm going to refrain from advice on this one, since I may not have cut the best path for myself.

Aren't you a teacher, Slugfly? That's about as social a job I can imagine. But I do agree with what you're saying.

Students are easy, because being with them is like being with my writing. But being with some people is only like NOT being with my work. Mostly though, I was just making a funny.

Mental exhaustion is an absolute pig when you're trying (or find you want) to write. Is that related to why you can't settle down to write for the first of your days off (assuming you get two days off together)? Brain still in work!overdrive?

I don't quite believe you have to be "in the mood" to write (though it certainly helps, and being In The Mood, for me, tends to produce much better writing than when I force myself into it to try and get through a bad patch or scene), but I do think you can get yourself In The Mood, or at least edge towards it. Is there anything you can do to relax and unwind, switch your brain over from work-mode to writing-mode after you get in (and your other responsibilities -- i.e. housework, family, and so on -- are dealt with or delegated)? Maybe take a bath, or lock yourself in the study (or office, bedroom, etc) with a scented candle or something. Make that your writing scent; light the candle when you're going to write, and put it out when you're done with the writing session. Scent is supposed to be a powerful mood and memory trigger.

Even if you can only manage half an hour of writing every night, it's better than nothing. Heck, even if you can only manage a hundred words, it's still progress, and you might find you feel better and more encouraged to continue as you start to see the story unfolding in front of you.

Any way up, good luck with it! I know what it's like to have a world cooking in your head for years on end and take its sweet time in coming out onto the page.

Thanks for the advice guys. I got a call today as was told that I didn't have to come into work so I am hoping to get some writing down. I went by the store and picked my self up a bottle of scotch.... a few candles and an Enigma CD. I am going to see if I can't get some writing done tonight.