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Sunday, July 18, 2010

Writing Through It

Writing Through It
Distractions and Depression is what I told you I would write about this week, and so I shall. Distraction & Depression could also be known as a big part of the suffering that comes from writer’s block. But there are many other things that can cause Writer’s Block (we’ve all been through it so I’m sure you know), so I’ll devote another blog to them later. (Look at that, two “writer’s Block”s that close together, not good for a writer. I HATE it when that happens!!)
My distractions are what I call the dreaded “but first” syndrome. You know, even though you know there’s writing to be done, “But First” you need to do something else. I suffer very badly from the “But First” syndrome. And there seems to be no cure! (That’s why I call it “dreaded.”)
Even though the “But First” syndrome is a distraction in itself, more distractions inevitably follow that thing I MUST get done first and so my writing time suffers! (You know how one thing leads to another?) The one and only way I am able to get past the “But First” syndrome is to make my writing the thing I must get done first! But you see, here I am today writing this blog before I get any writing done because “But First” I needed to get this done for Sunday’s publication. Never let it be said that I don’t make my deadlines. (Well, first blog excepted because the page had only just been deemed “Constructed.”) I just need a deadline on my current Work In Progress! That’s my Achilles Heel. I know I could have a self-imposed deadline, but those are so much easier to neglect than ones that are Imposed on me! I always meet those deadlines.
That said, distractions are much easier to deal with than Depression. Though many (who do not understand the illness, yes, it is a Real illness, though not the same as a Mental Illness) will tell a sufferer to “Just Get over It;” it’s not that easy. True depression is something that needs medical attention and is NOT something the sufferer can “just get over.”
I know because I have suffered from chemical depression since an injury I once received in an auto accident. With counseling and the prayer-felt desire to overcome, I found my way out of the darkness of depression in writing. After my prayers for happiness, I one day started writing “out of the blue” and discovered that when I am creating stories I am Happy! I had never read Romance and had Never had an interest in writing before that, but now I am a Romance author with a bright future in published novels!
I know the ways I battle Distraction and Depression won’t work for all of you, I’m sure. But the advice I’m offering here is that for distraction, to make writing the “But First” thing in your life that must be done daily, and if you have been diagnosed as a sufferer of Depression, to seek counseling and to sincerely ask for release of it from your higher being.
I know that I am not a medical professional, but these things are what have worked for me.
What about you? Do any of you suffer from the dreaded “But First” syndrome or Depression? What works for you?
That’s All She Wrote!

8 comments:

Cecile Smutty Hussy said...

Very interesting post Janette!!! I hope all is well honey!

Janette Harjo said...

Thanks, Cecile! All is well here. :)) I have found my way (with The Lord's help) out of the darkness, but that dreaded "But First" syndrome is a nuisance! LOL!

Houston A.W. Knight said...

Hey Hon!

No I haven't had a writers block problem ever...my problem is just finding the time I need to get a page written.

Life gets in the way sometimes and I found I just have to give up sleep to get what needs to be done...

I don't have time to feel depressed...that's a luxury I can't afford in this business.

Hugs
Hawk

Janette Harjo said...

Ah, Hawk. I agree, time to get a page written *can* be illusive. The trick (which I don't always follow) is to not think of finding the time to get a page written, but to simply get a few words written. That only takes minutes, and once you get those few words written, more often than not you will find that you have written more when you've finished with just those few words!
Once a year, My RWA chapter has a 100/100 challenge. That's 100 words a day for 100 days. At the end of the year a name is drawn from those who successfully completed the challenge and they win a writing related prize! But the real prize is all the words you've gotten written during the challenge! (If you miss a day during the 100, you must go back and start at day one again.)
So to make a long story short, think of just writing a few words instead of pages.
Don't give up your sleep! It's not good for your health! The human body is programmed to need at least 6-8 hours of good sleep each night. (I heard that somewhere, don't ask where.)
And on to your third thought about not having time to be depressed. Just a friendly reminder here. :)) You're either depressed, or you're not. It's an illness, remember? :)) It's not "a luxury" that you can choose not to have if you don't have the time. Be grateful that you don't suffer from depression. :))
And Lucky You for not having ever suffered Writer's Block! :))

Mimi Barbour said...

I don't suffer writer's block ....I suffer from writer's blah blah blah and then I have to go back and edit, and edit again. I guess it's better than not writing at all! But, have to tell you, can't wait for the day when I'm so good at writing ( yeah right!!)that I can bypass this step. Dream a little dream with meeee!!
Mimi

Janette Harjo said...

Mimi! Welcome to my blog!

My biggest problem with WB was when I was attending university. I could not focus on my writing at all!

Stop dreaming about how easy it's going to be for you on that day when you'are "so good at writing"! Instead, Envision That Day into Reality!


Lots of Fortune to You!

Mimi barbour said...

Janette,
I've been writing to you in reply to an e-mail I received from Susie Gisselberg ( your name was signed on the bottom ) and haven't heard back. Did you know that you won a copy of my book on Kelly Moran's blog? I've been asking for your address so I can send it to you...
Also, thanks for the envisioning advice...I'm gonna sit down from now on and envision my name on a Harlequin cover. Hope it'll work!!

Mimi barbour
The Vicarage bench

Janette Harjo said...

Hi Mimi!
I sent my mailing info to you, via Hotmail. (Yes, Susie G is an alias) I'm not sure why you have not received it. Please email me at Janette_Harjo@Hotmail.com and I will resend. :))

I'm also not sure how you got that name and address anyway. That's for my practice blog and all posts should be here. 0? 'Sides that, your email requesting my info did arrive at Janette's mailbox. (must be all my paranormal friends are up to no good) LOL!