Writing is a Real Job - How to Keep Your Muse from Pooping Out!

Writing is work. Hard work. It's a real job. Our readers don't realize what goes into our job. It's what we love.  And, when you find something you love to do, then it's a real miracle.  

The Muse, mojo, OR, as it it better known - writer's block - is a writer's WORST ENEMY.  I believe in calling it "The Muse" simply because I don't except the word "block", and mojo is just plain dumb.  But, HOW do you keep your muse from pooping out?  Any number of things can happen to lose it. Now, we either have to find our Muse, again, or we need to prevent it from happening if possible.  I opt for the latter, and to PREVENT it first.  

Any of the following can happen, and these are just a few things: 

1 - FEAR:  Face it, fellow writers.  We are afraid we will get "stuck" on our plot, or maybe a character. 

The White Wolf Prophecy ~ Mating~ (Book 1 of The White Wolf Prophecy Trilogy)

2 - DISTRACTIONS: Then, there are those stupid, major distractions such as what if you're in the middle of one book and/or series, and another book pops into your head? Do you stop to write it down?  Or, do you think "I'll remember that later, and write it down"? Trust me, if you don't write your idea down the moment you think of it, well, it's usually gone in the next.  

3 - LIFE:  And, then, life happens.  Life has the worst habit to butt into our lives whether or not we want it.  

4 - DEADLINES:  And, of course...the ever dreaded "DEADLINES".  They call them that, because if you don't meet them, you're book will be "dead".   This is a tremendous burden on a writer - especially if you are a top writer.  

So, let's just address the MUSE up front, and stop trying to pretend it won't happen at one point, or another.  Instead of worrying about IF you get stuck, let's try to PREVENT it from happening BEFORE you get stuck.  

As an editor, I can always tell when someone is truly enthusiastic about what they are writing.  However, I can also see when the author has lost track of their characters, or even the plot, and the Muse pooped out on them. Rambling, off-track exposition that is far too long, and jumping around is just a few examples.  And, that's when editors are needed. Unfortunately, some of them do have a habit of changing a writer's entire idea around, and sometimes, it bares no resemblance to what you envision for your book.

So, let's keep on track, and stop the Muse from pooping out on you.  Here are some things that you can do to keep yourself from those blocks, and others to keep you on track.  Remember this...you do NOT have to live and breathe your books on a 24/7 basis.  No one else works like that, and they take time to rest, and be with their families, or go out and have fun. 

Kaitlan Seneca O'Hara

                        

Cordone Valon

1. GET INVOLVED:  In your book.  Know it front and back.  The more involved with your book and characters, the less you will experience your lack of mojo.
2. VISUALIZE:   Visualize your characters. Try to find someone who is your visualization in real life.  Oddly enough, I actually found a woman and a man who were the epitome of my idea of the characters in my own book, as you can see in the photos above.   The White Wolf Prophecy ~ Mating ~ (Book 1) 
3. ACT OUT YOUR BOOK:  It's time to become an actor.  You can act aloud, or just in your mind.  If you can do the mind, you can act your book out anywhere any time.  Now, that's something you don't hear every day.  Why act it out?  Because that way, you can write the way your characters would act and speak. 
4. PRETEND:  You are your main character, and talk to the people around that character.  How they would think, or act, or speak.  By doing this, your book will lead in directions you never thought it could go.  Then, write what you have visualized and acted. ( NOTE:  You may wish to do this in stages to keep that muse going.)
5. READ:  Your book no less than 3 times before it ever gets to an editor!!  Check for continuity, spelling, grammar.  
6. If you do these two things, not only will your book be better, and take less editing time, but your NEXT book might just pop up.
7. WRITE:  Your character's full names in a separate place.  You will forget last names, etc., if you don't.  
8. KEEP:  A notebook handy at all times - either real or smart tablet/phone, and write down ANY idea you have.  Write it down right then, or as soon as you can.  You will forget it quickly, and once gone, you might not get it back.
9. BEGIN: If you are a great multi-tasker, go ahead and begin your next book. When you've lost your muse in the book your are currently writing, don't waste your time trying to get it back for that one book.  Start your next one.  This takes pressure off your writer's block, and can very easily get you back on track.  
10. TAKE:   A short vacation totally away from it could help.  
11. CREATE:  Try your hand at making your own book cover idea.  No. I'm serious. Try it.  With today's photo editing programs, there are those simple to totally professional.  If you're used to photoshop, use it, or something as simple as your computer's built in editor.  With access to your digital photos, pick two or three of them, and play around with them.  This is what I did.  You can find more about this right here:  

BOOK COVER DESIGN - How to Design Your Own - Make it Unique by LK Kelley

Google + Fan Page of The White Wolf Prophecy
I invite you to check it out.

The point is that the Muse works for YOU, the writer.  You don't work for her!  These are just a few ideas to try.  So, don't let the Muse poop out on you!

Please check out my book - a Trilogy!

Barnes and Noble (5-Stars) The White Wolf Prophecy ~ Mating ~ Book 1

Amazon (5-Stars) The White Wolf Prophecy, Mating, Book 1