tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12150605.post2320653521132188184..comments2024-03-27T02:56:19.634-06:00Comments on Melissa Amateis: OverwhelmedUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12150605.post-38320027011473490762011-03-04T08:15:28.416-07:002011-03-04T08:15:28.416-07:00Travis - It seems like this happens to me about on...Travis - It seems like this happens to me about once or twice a year. Not sure why. I've decided to let the novel sit for awhile. <br /><br />Jill - I may have to make a list when my mind decides it's ready! <br />:-)Melissa Amateishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16086267508858187716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12150605.post-76349109874362455212011-03-03T14:20:11.706-07:002011-03-03T14:20:11.706-07:00Yep, been there. The only way I can get through it...Yep, been there. The only way I can get through it is to make a list of what needs to be done. It's hard, but you'll get through. Good luck!!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12150605.post-51794108567898833242011-03-02T15:07:01.456-07:002011-03-02T15:07:01.456-07:00Keep plugging away. I've been there more than ...Keep plugging away. I've been there more than once, but I'm not sure one time helps with the next.Travis Erwinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09420879160702098979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12150605.post-45632770152504076122011-03-01T09:38:26.823-07:002011-03-01T09:38:26.823-07:00Tess - I've read parts of that book, but never...Tess - I've read parts of that book, but never the whole thing. <br />:-) I think I will have to take your advice - force myself to sit down and tackle it (after I take a few more days off from it to let it simmer, of course...).<br /><br />Patti - I think you're right. A break is what is needed right now. Already I feel better about it - distance does wonders!Melissa Amateishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16086267508858187716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12150605.post-88082825170090624072011-03-01T09:20:32.284-07:002011-03-01T09:20:32.284-07:00I totally know how you feel. Sometimes I wonder if...I totally know how you feel. Sometimes I wonder if this is all worth it. Hopefully one day I can say that it is. When I'm feeling overwhelmed, I take a bit of a break. It seems to help.Pattihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00685341739870191402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12150605.post-6505316808784664302011-02-28T21:32:54.937-07:002011-02-28T21:32:54.937-07:00I think of Anne Lamott's advice of Bird by Bir...I think of Anne Lamott's advice of Bird by Bird (have you read that book)? Just basically take things one at a time. <br /><br />When in the position you are in I make a list of what needs to be done, then go through it methodically, refusing to get distracted (in theory *g*) by other things I find. And every time I hit a road block, I step back and let it sit for at least 24 hours, then tackle it again with fresh eyes (again, in theory - sometimes it takes Sean reminding me to do this for me to actually do it *g*).<br /><br />Good luck!!Tesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15636189059910920978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12150605.post-86243095157504353042011-02-28T14:35:28.552-07:002011-02-28T14:35:28.552-07:00Christine - You described it PERFECTLY. That's...Christine - You described it PERFECTLY. That's exactly what I'm going through. I do feel like I just can't do it...but I KNOW it's a good story. I think breaking into parts will help.<br /><br />Terri - Yeah, I think after last night, I need to let it sit for awhile. Guess that's a good excuse to start packing!Melissa Amateishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16086267508858187716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12150605.post-91105822845328186442011-02-28T13:58:40.740-07:002011-02-28T13:58:40.740-07:00Ii step away for awhile--focus on something I real...Ii step away for awhile--focus on something I really love and let it simmer in the background.Terri Tiffanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07771622379178654235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12150605.post-51818074513596444952011-02-28T13:38:55.936-07:002011-02-28T13:38:55.936-07:00I've had that happen, too: an epiphany struck ...I've had that happen, too: an epiphany struck when I was almost done with the first draft. Second draft involved a TON of rewriting, in order to weave in the new thread...and yeah, it was overwhelming. My strategy is to break it down into little parts. I'd tell myself, "I'm just working on Ch. 1 today. That's all. I'm not even going to THINK about the rest of the book. Just one chapter." If I set boundaries for myself that way, the task becomes much more doable. <br /><br />When I've had that "I'm so sick of this story" feeling, it's often b/c I just don't think I have it in me to rewrite it one more time. Breaking the job into tiny bits helps. But even so, sometimes, I just have to slog through. <br /><br />Keep going...the finished product will be worth it!Christine Fletcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17350760019997430843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12150605.post-6206297794373506922011-02-28T11:46:20.178-07:002011-02-28T11:46:20.178-07:00Debs - You're right. I just hate to not do any...Debs - You're right. I just hate to not do anything writing-related until then, so I think I'll just focus on a few projects. For example, the nonfiction book is on hold until I can make my research trip, so I won't think about that right now. :-)Melissa Amateishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16086267508858187716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12150605.post-78446473791830410552011-02-28T11:40:47.636-07:002011-02-28T11:40:47.636-07:00It sounds like you have a huge amount to do in the...It sounds like you have a huge amount to do in the near future. I should think that once the move is complete, you'll then be able to focus more on your writing.Deborah Carr (Debs)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03223653554549707595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12150605.post-8956664274981772902011-02-28T11:12:19.051-07:002011-02-28T11:12:19.051-07:00Thanks, Talei! I think you're right - sometime...Thanks, Talei! I think you're right - sometimes we really need to give our work the focus it needs and deserves. Yeah, I'm not looking forward to packing...blah. But it must be done. I just have to focus on the awesomeness that will be my new office!Melissa Amateishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16086267508858187716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12150605.post-8983485497876336382011-02-28T10:47:58.423-07:002011-02-28T10:47:58.423-07:00Oh, I do. I'm right beside you there. I want...Oh, I do. I'm right beside you there. I want to finish my WIP which I started last April/May. With my other normal work fulltime, it can be hard. Which is why, I decided to pull back some time by cutting back a day from blogging. I've been thinking about it for a while now, to finish this book, I must focus on it, give it the time its worth. <br /><br />Good luck with your writing - you have a number of projects! And best of luck with packing too!Taleihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07317577935549931974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12150605.post-2495580564426668542011-02-28T10:04:13.504-07:002011-02-28T10:04:13.504-07:00Joanne - Good idea. I need to sit down and do that...Joanne - Good idea. I need to sit down and do that before the packing starts in earnest!Melissa Amateishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16086267508858187716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12150605.post-75692218323107951142011-02-28T10:00:23.730-07:002011-02-28T10:00:23.730-07:00If I had a move scheduled, I'd feel overwhelme...If I had a move scheduled, I'd feel overwhelmed, too. I think, to be fair to my writing, I would do what Valerie suggests ... First take this pre-move time now to completely organize your files and thoughts regarding all your projects. Get everything set, to-do listed, prioritized, etc. That way you'll be able to focus on the moving without worrying about the writing, knowing it's organized and waiting for you in your new home :)Joannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03972054718663959694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12150605.post-4457096599610764902011-02-28T09:55:26.399-07:002011-02-28T09:55:26.399-07:00Valerie - I think I consumed far too much chocolat...Valerie - I think I consumed far too much chocolate this weekend, which only made me feel worse since I'm supposed to be trying to lose weight. GAH. I need a vacation!!!Melissa Amateishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16086267508858187716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12150605.post-14260977012984186382011-02-28T09:42:53.514-07:002011-02-28T09:42:53.514-07:00This post pretty much sums up the way I felt all w...This post pretty much sums up the way I felt all weekend. <br /> <br />What I'd like to do is attack a bag of m&m's-but what helps me is to clean/reorganize/tidy up etc my work space. In the process of doing that I reaffirm what makes me happy about what I do.<br /><br />And a few m&m's don't hurt, either:)Valerie Boersmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08372768206512562126noreply@blogger.com