Wednesday, July 15, 2009

The Struggle

I'm writing this blog post rather than work on the revisions for Margarita Nights. Yes, I'm procrastinating. BIG TIME! I should be revising. I'm not. My mind just can't go there right now.

I don't know why. I don't care why. I've just decided that my mind needs a break. I've just decided that tonight is not the time (like how I keep linking to my own post???) to revise.

So, all evening long so far, I've struggled - revise, don't revise, revise, don't revise, revise just one section of Chapter Five, don't revise, revise two sections of Chapter Five, don't revise, revise the entire chapter, don't revise. Ah, the internal struggle of the writer when his mind is tired and he just really, really, really doesn't want to revise for the evening.

In the end, I step away from the struggle. I realize I need to heed my own advice and take a break from writing and spend some time on ourselves, our families, our children, our pets, the writing we've been neglecting, or the other passions (i love to cook) in our life.

As Scarlett O'Hara once immortalized: tomorrow is another day.

Tomorrow I will revise, revise, and revise some more. Tonight, I'm just going to take some time for myself.

S

7 comments:

Rebecca L Sutton said...

I feel your pain! I've had many nights like that and I think you're doing the best thing. Staying away from the revising when you REALLY aren't in the mood is the best thing. I find that a day away helps me come back even stronger.

Sort of scary when you think about becoming published since you HAVE to revise to meet deadlines even when you really aren't in that mode. Ohh but it's still sooo worth it.

I'm sure we'll see a post later this week telling us how you plowed through you revisions. ; ) Time with family and friends, sleep, drinks and chocolate always do wonders for my creativity and focus. Good luck!

B.J. Anderson said...

It must be something in the air, because I took the night off, as well. I was starting to miss a lot of stuff and be lazy. I may even take two days off! Good luck with the break!

Robyn Campbell said...

If something tells you that your mind needs a break. Listen to it. It's the OTHER Scott. He knows what's best! :)

Rebecca Knight said...

I did, too! This is too funny. I had the same thing. Self guilt trip... and then finally just chilling out about it.

Good for you, Scott!

Michelle D. Argyle said...

Tell me about it. I'm in the same boat. :S

Davin Malasarn said...

Enjoy the break! Make it complete, and then you'll be nice and refreshed when you return to the revisions. Good luck!

Scott said...

Wow, who knew I was part of the in-crowd struggling with revision (or not revisioning) guilt!

I hate to say it - but I'm glad I'm not alone in the proverbial boat!

I think last night I just needed to chill. I feel much better today and have plans to revise tonight.

Rebecca Knight - I'm still having issues trying to comment on your blog . . . on two different computers. Have no clue why. I'm still reading your posts! : )

S