I'm right in your camp, Tirzah, and equally at a loss for how to get moving.

I have an outline, and a few random chapters completed for the sequel to Merrow, and I can visualize 2/3 of the book already - which is completely the opposite of how Merrow came about - but I can't recreate the mindset I was in when the first book came (seemingly) spilling forth.

My current tricks are to focus on the business side of this endeavor: I've been reading blogs and author websites, trying to gear up for a plunge into that piece of the marketing pie.  I've been reading, for inspiration and education, other successful querys and synopses, trying to improve on what I've already created in those categories.  But, still, I'm missing the passion of getting that first book out and onto paper.

If I'm being honest, I think my primary motivation - in the first go around - was fear.  Fear that I'd never manage a whole book.  I think what I need now is to get good and scared that I'll never write another.  Once I'm trembling, with any luck, there will be a veritable avalanche of words, and me, fingers clacking on keys, trying to keep up.

I hope your breakthrough isn't as angst-laden.

And I hope it comes for you.

Best of luck,
Madison

Get a health check up, full blood work up. If that's a go then start working out 30-40 minutes each day, easy at first, using both aerobic and anaerobic exercises and listen to audio books while exercising. Eat right, sleep 8-9 hours per night. Don't smoke.  Eliminate nonsense in your life.

Sit down at same time, same place each day, set a goal, don't whine.

Get to work, create your own excitement about writing! No one else can motivate you, but you.

dr. måx

vern wrote:

For me the first step would be to focus on something/someone I am passionate about in order to disrupt those general blah feelings. Once I am generally content - don't have to be ecstatic, those are fleeting moments - the urge to write (possibly another passion)  will return to go hand in hand with the renewed passion, whatever it happens to be; could even be writing itself. One passion feeds upon another. Good luck. Take care. Vern

I signed up for a writing group (even though people make me weegy).  Thinking of going to the new poets reading down.

Still blah though.

Starting something completely new and different always helps me. If I'm struggling with a novel chapter, I begin a short story. Even if I never finish the story, it still helps me gain perspective.

I second Max's advice, too. I run 3 miles a day and strength train 3x a week (usually, lol). Can't keep my head engaged if my body isn't.

Sorry to hear it, Tirzah. Maybe take a break from it for a little while and read for pleasure.  Pick up a few good books
and plan an evening  whatever you like - lying in your comfy bed, seated by a fire, at the library or coffee shop to give yourself an
escape into another world. Maybe insist on a change of antidepressants or an increased dose just to get through these winter
blues.

Ahhh, depression ... The Black Hole and creativity seem so often to go hand in hand, don't they?

JLiz beat me to it - if it's straight out creativity block, tinkering with something else as a distraction seems to renew my passion for a project.

But if it's depression ... I think the $80 might be worth the investment, but I'd consider finding a more empathic doctor. I have to say, I can sympathise with you about scraping up spare cash for what often ends up a merry-go-round of doctor's visits. So if this isn't an option, Max & JLiz's suggestions could help keep you afloat until the sun starts shining again - us depressives are notorious for neglecting our health, and it really is incredible how a little light exercise for the body can affect the mind. If it's feeling like 'work', then you haven't found the right thing for you.

I found a Gratitude Journal helped me too - sounds a bit new-age and self-indulgent, but the act of reflecting on your day to find 3 things to be grateful about, no matter how small or how simple, helps to focus you on positive thoughts and feelings. It's also invaluable for those really bad days, not so much for writing in, but to look back on and remind yourself what helps elicit those good feelings.

Almost as important as anti-depressants are a good support network. It's easy to spiral into that Black Hole and withdraw from the people who care about you when you need them most, so this takes deliberate effort. Tirzah, from what I've seen in the short 2 weeks I've been a member of this site, you have quite a few people who genuinely care about you here. Someone once told me that people who don't ask others for help are selfish, because they deny them the opportunity to feel good about helping someone out - this helped give me a totally new perspective on reaching out for help. So reach out, Tirzah - there are plenty of us willing to help get you through your bleak Winter and into the sunshine.

I hope I've managed to express myself adequately without sounding either blase or the voice of doom; regardless of whether you're simply in a 'funk' or suffering from clinical depression, I know without a doubt you have the unconditional support of your peers here on TNBW, Tirzah. Lets hope the Winter is short and your creative spirit restored soon. )

Warmest regards,
Yvonne

1_word_at_a_time wrote:

Ahhh, depression ... The Black Hole and creativity seem so often to go hand in hand, don't they?

JLiz beat me to it - if it's straight out creativity block, tinkering with something else as a distraction seems to renew my passion for a project.

But if it's depression ... I think the $80 might be worth the investment, but I'd consider finding a more empathic doctor. I have to say, I can sympathise with you about scraping up spare cash for what often ends up a merry-go-round of doctor's visits. So if this isn't an option, Max & JLiz's suggestions could help keep you afloat until the sun starts shining again - us depressives are notorious for neglecting our health, and it really is incredible how a little light exercise for the body can affect the mind. If it's feeling like 'work', then you haven't found the right thing for you.

I found a Gratitude Journal helped me too - sounds a bit new-age and self-indulgent, but the act of reflecting on your day to find 3 things to be grateful about, no matter how small or how simple, helps to focus you on positive thoughts and feelings. It's also invaluable for those really bad days, not so much for writing in, but to look back on and remind yourself what helps elicit those good feelings.

Almost as important as anti-depressants are a good support network. It's easy to spiral into that Black Hole and withdraw from the people who care about you when you need them most, so this takes deliberate effort. Tirzah, from what I've seen in the short 2 weeks I've been a member of this site, you have quite a few people who genuinely care about you here. Someone once told me that people who don't ask others for help are selfish, because they deny them the opportunity to feel good about helping someone out - this helped give me a totally new perspective on reaching out for help. So reach out, Tirzah - there are plenty of us willing to help get you through your bleak Winter and into the sunshine.

I hope I've managed to express myself adequately without sounding either blase or the voice of doom; regardless of whether you're simply in a 'funk' or suffering from clinical depression, I know without a doubt you have the unconditional support of your peers here on TNBW, Tirzah. Lets hope the Winter is short and your creative spirit restored soon. )

Warmest regards,
Yvonne

I struggle in the winter, makes me moody and listless, hence the grow lights and bottles of Vitamin D.

I've been forcing myself out of the house.

Not letting myself dwell.

I want to write.  I really do, I just can't find any words.

But they'll come back.

T

TirzahLaughs wrote:

LOL...you are trying to kill me?  Because that would probably do it.   Allergic to most flowering plants...set off asthma attacks...but I'm going to take the dogs to the winter park...let them run a bit.

So I'll get some more outside light.

Thanks bunny! 
Enjoy the greenhouse.

So go in your Hazmat suit.

Warm bath. Epsom salts.

A recent study showed that we actually DO absorb magnesium from an epsom bath. Mg deficiency is a major player in depression. Warm up, get magnesiumded. Cheap. Feels good.

TirzahLaughs wrote:

Really?  Well it couldn't hurt now could it?

Bring yer snorkel.

I just can't get the scenes on page...lol.  I burned down my kitchen last week for inspiration.  Okay---the fire was accidental but it's great material...especially since I set my clothes on fire during it.

But my page is blank still.

But i'm going to take extra Vit D and try an Epsom Salt bath.