The sad (or frightening?) thing is that the WIP list I linked only includes WIPs from late 2011 through now, and nothing from before that (2006-2011) which I'm still compiling, and none of my original fiction (although I have that list sitting in front of me).
Oh so true about summoning up enthusiasm. I ran hot and cold for years and some of those cold spells knocked my confidence pretty hard.
Last August, I got involved in a 101 day writing challenge with a few dozen other people. Peer pressure and daily accountability does amazing things! Every day I forced myself to squeak out at least 300 words so I didn't have a blank cell next to my name in the group's shared spreadsheet. Since then, I have treated writing and editing like brushing my teeth: at the very least, first thing in the morning and before bed I pound out a new page of words (shitty first drafts are always allowed!) and/or I attempt to fix prior shitty drafts by rewriting. Even if I'm not feeling enthusiastic, I force myself to type ANYTHING, even if just summaries of scenes or characterization notes. That way, I'm always moving forward and a daily minimum of 300 to 350 words actually goes fast when my goal is just getting those words onto the page (so I can go to sleep!).
no subject
Oh so true about summoning up enthusiasm. I ran hot and cold for years and some of those cold spells knocked my confidence pretty hard.
Last August, I got involved in a 101 day writing challenge with a few dozen other people. Peer pressure and daily accountability does amazing things! Every day I forced myself to squeak out at least 300 words so I didn't have a blank cell next to my name in the group's shared spreadsheet. Since then, I have treated writing and editing like brushing my teeth: at the very least, first thing in the morning and before bed I pound out a new page of words (shitty first drafts are always allowed!) and/or I attempt to fix prior shitty drafts by rewriting. Even if I'm not feeling enthusiastic, I force myself to type ANYTHING, even if just summaries of scenes or characterization notes. That way, I'm always moving forward and a daily minimum of 300 to 350 words actually goes fast when my goal is just getting those words onto the page (so I can go to sleep!).