Big mistake. By the time I got through reading all the posts squabbling over religion, gay rights, and some picture of 2 Orientals butchering a dead dog whose head they'd just cut off, I was definitely no longer in the mood. For anything. How many times has this happened to you?
After several hours of being in a weird mood, I decided on what actions I could take to make sure that didn't happen again. Here's what I did. I told myself that writing would be the first thing I concentrated on. My mail and all the social networks would simply have to wait until much later in the day. Once I did finally log back on, I began cleaning out my Follows. Love you guys, but I'm not on any social network to get into any pissing contest, or barroom brawl. If I really wanted to do that, I'd join a mess of political groups and go in with both barrels blazing. Nope, those days are over for me. There's too many pleasant things to talk about and wonder over without hating on anyone, or trying to drive my opinions down someone's throat. I just want to get back to lala land.
Having done all that, I wake up back in the mood again and I'm finally getting some writing done. My time online has also been more enjoyable, as well. It's not that I don't want to face the problems of the world, but there is a time and a place to tackle them. In the middle of writing a fiction book isn't one of them, not when I need positive creativity to be flowing.
Chameleon Author
Oh, how I agree. Even listening to the news this morning was disturbing. So, after the house had gone quiet, husband off to work, animals settled in for their morning nap, and of course, cell phone turned to silent, I curled up onto my already-made bed, draped a fuzzy blanket over me and took an hour to clear my mind of any darkness lurking around and concentrated on bringing in some sort of light, quietening my mind. Some call this a nap, I call it a recharge...
ReplyDeleteTerry, I was really in a grumpy mood when I wrote this article because of what had ruined my mood, but I'm so glad I wrote it. It's been fascinating to see all the ways other authors overcame their "mood spoilers"!
DeleteOh, I so agree too! I have made that mistake so many times. I shall follow your example and give my writing first priority after the necessary things of living my life.
ReplyDeleteChristine, it's ever so tempting to check the mail and those social networks, but it's too often our downfall. I can't tell you how many times I've heard this very complaint from authors. I never thought it would happen to me, and then it did :(
DeleteI do that every evening when I switch to other things. By the time I've taken the dog out next day and cleared the decks I've forgotten that gem of an idea to carry the story forward - I expect I'm not the only one.
ReplyDeleteMichael, you're definitely not alone there. I have one author that told me he often has great ideas when he takes his dog for a walk, but would forget almost as soon as he got back home. Then he began carrying a small recorder with him, and that really did the trick!
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