A Dash of Words with Loleta Abi Romance Author

The Writer’s Wheel 7/5/2020: How to Get Back into Your Writing After an Absence

Loleta Abi

For some of us, it’s been months since we glanced at our WIP. Not that we meant to abandon it, it’s just that life’s circumstances took us away. Some of us might not even come back. That’s okay. If you’ve realized it’s not your thing, move on with something else.

The First Step.

Usually, I begin by rereading some of what I’ve written. I let it resonate with me till I’m ready to get back to it. The rereading helps to refresh you to where you were when you stopped. It serves to reconnect you to the work and what needs to be done.

Sometimes you have to go back further. You might have taken a turn you didn’t want to take and now’s the time to correct it. Do you remember what you had planned for your characters? What direction you were headed?

Try a Paragraph a Day at First.

Don’t try to belt out thousands a word when you’re picking up the reins again. Easy does it. A paragraph a day will insert you back into the pace of the story and serve to remind you of what you had planned. Again, the reconnection is important and necessary to push ahead.

Gradually increase the word count till you’re back to where you want to be. Don’t rush though. Let time mend the flow. You’ll know when you’re ready to rush ahead. Keep an eye on the story, where’s it’s been, where it’s going. It’ll help lead you down the right path.

If You Decide the Story’s Over.

It happens. Sometimes the story doesn’t work out. It could be the timing’s off. Maybe you also feel it doesn’t matter what with the world’s events. Or maybe, your book needs a drastic rewrite with what’s happened in society.

Who could have foreseen face masks, divisions in society, and the growth of poverty? A lot of how we look at things has changed. Maybe it’s led to some soul-searching for yourself. You might not be in a place to do writing right now.

Nothing prepares us for life. We can follow other’s guidelines as best as we can but things are always getting challenged, turned around. We do the best we can with what we have. Our loved ones must, of course, come first. If that means getting a job to support your family then do what you need to.

It’s tough enough out there. No need to beret yourself. It is what it is. We grow up. Take on challenging family dynamics. And do our best to keep everything getting better for all of us.

Take care of yourself and don’t feel guilty.

If you can continue, take it as it comes. Again, no need for guilt. Somedays are better than others. We do what we can. Soon, those plot twists will come to mind and you’ll chase your dream again.

Have a great week, take care, and God bless!