The Non-Chronological Novel: An Update

For those of you keeping up with my blog, you will know as of late I have been actively writing a non-chronological novel and had started a new practice regarding writing it chronologically. After trying out this method over a few chapters, I finally had to stop. Writing the novel this way—for me, at least—proved to be rather anxiety making. Currently I am working without a clear timeline, and trying to write chronologically without this proved to be an overly difficult task, one I wasn't quite ready to take on.

Instead I am doing something a little crazier—I am writing completely non-chronologically. Whatever story idea for the novel I want to write, I'm writing it! No matter what part of the timeline, no matter where in the story I am, I'm writing it all out there. So far this has proven to be a much more useful part of my time, and has contributed to a greater flow in my creativity. I am then glad to say this is, at least so far, definitely working for me.

For any of you who find yourself struggling to get through a novel, remember this: Sometimes it's just a matter of patience and time to find the way that works best for you. And remember, it's only a first draft! Perfection should be the FURTHEST thing from your mind right now!

Back From Break

I'm finally well again, have been for sometime, although it's certainly been awhile since I have posted anything, though for a very good reason I assure you. I have currently joined LinkedIn, and have been actively writing various articles to add to my portfolio. Three articles to be exact, though only two will be making an appearance shortly. The other I'm still floating around ideas for.

I'm afraid I can't say much more on the subject currently, seeing as my laptop is about to die and I'm falling asleep while typing this. But I wanted to keep all of you updated in my endeavors and to say I haven't forgotten about ya'll. And don't forget to look out for more information to come as I continue to work on these new projects of mine!

Taking A Break

I am pretty incredibly sick right now and will be taking a break from social media until I recover. It's nothing too serious, and I have a feeling I'll be back on my feet in no time, but writing, and trying to think of something to write, is so incredibly exhausting. And painful. On that note, so long--just until I'm better that is. Or at least until it doesn't hurt to move and think, of course.

Writing a Non-Chronological Novel

As per the title of this post, this is now my latest--or should I say newest?--project I'm taking on. This is an all new novel concept I'm working on, and something I have never tackled before, and admittedly it's been a difficult novel in the making. I've probably have started--and re-started, and rewritten this book several times already, which is why I finally looked up some keys to writing non-chronologically. 

Believe it or not, I discovered that for beginners--and even people who are used to writing stories this way--have actually written their book first in chronological order, print off the manuscript, actively CUT IT APART, piece it together in an order they think works for them, and then REWRITE the entire thing IN THAT ORDER! I don't know how this will work for me when I'm done, but this idea has already helped me tremendously.

How to Get Yourself Writing With Writer's Block With These Four Methods

It's been said that inspiration can come from the strangest places. Who said it I don't know. I've certainly heard it. Heck, maybe I came up with it! (If only I we're so brilliant.) But I can certainly attest to the accuracy of this statement.

As of one minute and something-seconds-ago, I was attempting to get out of the writers block I've been having, which has resulted in a very noticeable decline in my social media presence. I decided to turn to back to blogging hoping that I could get myself out of this block by typing, as I typically do. But I didn't want to write yet another general post about how much writing block sucks. Which it does. And we writers all know it. No, I wanted this post to be focused. To mean something. Granted the second that blank post popped up, a virgin to my words, I blanked. I couldn't think of anything. I closed out the post page and went back to staring at the ceiling. A challenging place for inspiration to appear, by the way. 

Then it hit me. "I'll look up ideas to write for a blog post!" I began searching this very topic word-for-word. The amount of results was insane! "20 Creative Blog Ideas for Writers: Never Run Out of Blog Ideas Again". Or insert-number-here "Ideas to Put on Your Blog" or "How to Get Your Creative Juices Flowing Again". (Okay, might have made that last one up on the fly). The point is, this is a hot topic in of itself. And that's when I realized something: I don't need to read those in order to post something right now! I can post about what to do when you get stuck, and how to get yourself writing with writer's block—title drop anyone?—considering this is a place I find myself stuck in often.

GETTING TO THE ROOT OF IT

I think it is first and perhaps most important to begin by flushing out any reasons you may have in regards to this block. Maybe there's a huge emotionally involved decision looming over your head making it impossible to reflect on and think about anything else. Maybe you're really über excited for a meetup to start! (I know this has certainly been true for me this last week. And month.) Maybe you're exhausted from life.... Whatever it is, good or bad, start writing it down. Journal it all. Even things you think are minor and aren't worth reflecting on. Whatever is in that head of yours, Get. It. Out! Which is why I'm going to leave you with a DAILY journaling exercise to do for however long you wish, but especially as long as you have writer's block. This part will require dedication, but I promise it will be worth it! 

While you write, allow yourself to be free of inhibitions; toss away worries about your handwriting, errors, etc. I generally write these journal entries purposefully messy so that my OCD can't get the better of me and correct for errors. But you do you. Also, please allow for patience and self-forgiveness, because this process might not work immediately. But you're starting to get to the root of the blockage and that is key!

So on that note, find a journal (they sell loose leaf pages and small notebooks at most Dollar Stores/Trees), pick up a pen, and go. No holds barred.

CHANGE AND ELIMINATE

Try what I call the “change and eliminate” method. Change the place where you always work. If you find yourself consistently writing at home, go to a café. If you’re indoor-bound, go on a hike or a walk and find a spot to journal. If the weather permits, of course. But wherever you go, eliminate your chance of getting distracted. Yes, there’s an app for that. Don't want to install an app? You can always just turn your phone on airplane mode, which is especially great for avoiding potential disruptions like calls, pesky notifications, or incoming texts at this time. You can also try listening to music, which can work out well if you're in a noisy area. (My preferences for this method are classical music, Dixie Land, meditation music, and swing.) 

GETTING AWAY FROM IT

This is sort of like the "change and eliminate" method, only with one big difference. In this method YOU AREN'T WRITING. AT ALL. Yes, you read that correctly. In this method you are actively taking a break from writing altogether so that you can leave behind any creative stress you may have. You might go on a walk/hike (again, if the weather permits). You might choose to go to the gym. Or you could go to an art gallery. Watch a dance performance. Binge on Netflix. Whether you are doing something fun, that you love, or even that's hard work (like tackling that major hill you've been avoiding), you really want to make sure you can submerse yourself in fully. The last thing you need is to carry around that dreadful nagging voice reminding you that you aren't writing. Which is why you need to actively work on re-framing that voice. Remember, you're doing this so your imaginary friends will start talking to you again. This is good for you. Say it with gumption! Because it's true, this will wind up being very good for you. 

FREE-WRITING 

In this method you will be writing. Creatively. With writer's block! (Yes it's possible.) There are two ways you can go about free-writing, however, that can aid you in times where you are so truly stuck you just can't think of anything.

Idea 1: The News in a New Perspective 

Find a news story, preferably something that really grabs your attention, then write in the perspective of someone mentioned in the story. For instance, if you read a story about a murder, write from the perspective of the murder using the given details, maybe even adding your own. Or you might write from the perspective of the victim. Imagine what either character may have been thinking leading up to the event or at the time of the event, perhaps considering what they were doing before too. 

Idea 2: Improv Writing

Another creative writing practice and similar to the above, the idea of "improv writing" was an idea I very lightly touched on back in July of 2017 in a post titled, "Fixing Writer's Block". And by 'lightly touched on' I mean that those are the exact words I used to end the post. There was no explanation, no follow up, nothing. Whoops! Only just having realized this mistake, I'm finally going to explain what this means and how to do it.

While a made-up term, this method has proven incredibly useful for me to do. With improv writing, you are attempting to tap into your creative writing process no matter how bad, how silly, how crazy, or how utterly incoherent it may turn out to be. To start this current process, you'll need to finish the list below, not unlike a Mad-Libs operation: 

1. A character name 
2. A setting 
3. Write the opening sentence from a book
• Find a book and copy word for word it's opening line. i.e. "It was a dark and stormy night...." Generally try to find something short, aiming for nothing longer than ten words. If you can help it.
4. Remember the golden rule of improv: "Yes, and..." So whatever you write, go with it. And keep going with it. No matter what. 

Example by Sabrina S.K. Regan:

1. Character Name: Sergio (the slug) 

2. Setting: London of 1832 

3. Opening Sentence: It was a dark and stormy night  

Once you fill in the answers, you're going to write something out for however long you can: 

Example by Sabrina S.K. Regan:

It was a dark and stormy night in London of 1832. Sergio the Slug had been romping through the garden of Mrs. Tuckett, and had taken to hiding under the bright red mushroom cap waiting out the cold storm. He liked things when they were damp, but this was too much for the slippery little guy. Suddenly during a clap of thunder as he watched feet dance around, twirling, couples laughing as their hair dripped with falling precipitation, Sergio realized something: He wanted to dance! 

I wrote that just now entirely on the fly. Now I undoubtedly won't be winning any awards for it anytime soon (or ever), but that's not the point. You're merely writing to get back in the swing of things, to remind yourself of what you can do even if it's not your best work. Heck, even if it turns out to be the worst thing you've ever written!—the point is, you wrote something during writer's block. And that's pretty freaking impressive.