Getting Unstuck

The re-write/edit/revision of my novel is breaking my head. I have an updated chapter plan, not so different to the original but requiring a number of new chapters and a lot of juggling around of pieces of existing writing. Putting together the chapter plan was like tackling a challenging but do-able obstacle course. Once I got into my stride, it was fun. With the first fence past, I could see where I was going. I still can.

Writing the new chapters, however, is proving less attainable. I think my problem is that in my head, at the end of the last draft, I thought "that's it - done, finished" and of course it isn't. I'm taking up the reins of a stallion that I thought was happily bedded down, when in fact it was just taking a breather before the next race.

I know I can do this. In fact, I've already written the first new chapter, but the voice in my head, the one that prods, criticises and distracts, has bought itself a loudspeaker. I find myself tripping up over words and storylines that should flow.

Steven Pressfield calls this 'resistance'. The term is apt. I can feel myself resisting the opportunity to write. This is what he says I need to do.

It doesn't help that my children are on their Easter break at the moment and my husband is taking some of those days off too. Maybe, though, I'm just using that as an excuse. There are definitely timeslots over the day when I can find some peace to write. I just need to kick my 'resistance' out of the way and do it.

I don't really believe in writer's block, not for me anyway. I know I can push through this, play those negative thoughts at their own game and distract them long enough to get some writing done. Camp Nanowrimo is one of those distractions. Freewriting could be another. Whatever I do, I need to park the resistance and just get on with my novel.

Chapter two beckons, a new chapter two. Wish me luck.