Monday, June 16, 2014

Only So Many Words...


I’m sorry I don’t have a regular MMGM post for you today. The truth is that I haven’t done a lot of reading this week.

But I have done a lot of writing.

This week, my two boys were at camp all week, which meant a sort of  “writing retreat” for me.

It is the first time that I’ve had this sort of time to work on my writing: 6 hours a day, 5 days a week. It was simply amazing. I’ve been furiously drafting, though I’ve taken breaks for walks and a few errands as well.

But after writing so much, I find at the end of the day, I have no energy for reading. I keep picking up books, but they don’t hold my interest for more than a few minutes.

It’s as if I only have so many words in me and I’ve used them all up in my own story. I can’t bear to tackle any more words—even if I didn’t have to make them up myself. 

I’m ashamed to admit that the only stories I’ve partaken of is movies and TV shows this week. That’s how tired I am after my experiment with “writing full time.”
What about you? When you’re writing a lot, do you find it hard to read?

16 comments:

  1. Sometimes you can't do both -- read and write -- and then live life too. I've been doing more reading than writing lately. Mainly because I can read outside in the sunshine but I can't see my computer monitor well enough to do that so reading's winning out this summer. :-)

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    1. I'm like that too. And usually, reading wins out for me too. There really is nothing like sitting outside reading. Enjoy!

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  2. When you're writing that much, it's almost impossible to read. Don't feel bad - glad you had time to write!

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    1. Thanks for the encouragement! I am so glad I had that time--now back to juggling. :)

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  3. Sometimes I do find it hard to read. Sometimes, I just get distracted. ;)

    I do understand that feeling of vegging out at the end of the day and watching tv. Daniel and I even purposefully avoid movies we've been wanting to see if they will require too much thought at the end of the day, sometimes.

    But yay for getting in a lot of writing time! I know that must feel wonderful.

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    1. Yes, I think when I'm really tired or have a lot on my mind, it's hard to focus on reading. I can't watch movies that require too much thought at the end of the day too. And thanks for stopping by, Andrea!

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  4. So great that you are able to get so much writing done!

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  5. It's totally understandable, Jenni. I find myself in the same situation often. I finally sent off my finalized MG manuscript at the end of May and found myself feeling somewhat lost. I've spent the last two weeks just reading - actually it's been beta reading, but I've enjoyed it. We all need to recharge, and can't do it all at the same time. Good for you with drafting so ferociously!

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    1. Shari, I know what you mean. It always takes me awhile after I finish a ms to figure out what to work on next. It's great that you're doing some beta reading--that's always a lot of fun.

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  6. YES. When I'm writing like crazy, it's all I want to do. There's no room in my head for other people's stories, and I wouldn't want them there if there was. I think it's perfectly natural and right that during the writing frenzy, you block out all the other influences and focus. High five to getting some writing done.

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    1. That's a good point. I know a lot of writers don't read fiction while they're drafting and I see how that helps you stay focused.

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  7. Yup, me too! When I get on one of those writing crazes, I can barely do anything else. The only thing I want to read is the stuff I just wrote, LOL. And then I have very little energy left for anything else! I read a ton, but in fits and bursts, I'm on a reading bender right now, but that'll change to a writing bender soon (I hope!)

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    1. That's good to hear, Liz! I'm glad I'm not the only one who rereads my own stuff. :) I'm starting to get back into reading this week--but I'm staying away from anything that's in the same genre as what I write.

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  8. I freelance write for a living--so I write 10 hours a day sometimes, working fiction in as much as I can. I've had to make myself take time each morning while on my treadmill to read. I also found that when I had to commute to a day job, listening to books on audio helped. There are just so many hours in the day--we can't do it all!

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    1. That's a great idea--listening to audio books. I plan to do that on the road trips I'll be taking this summer.
      It must be hard to write for work and fit fiction in as well--wow, I'm impressed!

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