Returning to a story

[Zydruna]

I heard an interview with author Erik Larson on NPR the other day and he said something that I found very interesting.  When he is writing a novel, and has to pause for whatever reason, he makes a point to stop writing mid-paragraph and mid-sentence.  He said that this is a wonderful technique that allows him to immediately get back into the same headspace that he was in before so that the words will start flowing instantly and seamlessly.

I would never have thought of this.  I usually feel compelled to complete whatever thought or scene I am working on before I stop, fearing that I might not remember everything that I am thinking of later.

I am curious what the writers here think of this technique.  Have you ever done this?  Did you find it to be a useful technique?

[Dom]

I've never done that before, because I too would be afraid I'd lose the thought that prompted the sentence in the first place.

I HAVE stopped at an opening " for dialogue.  Sort of like freezing a movie where a character just opened their mouth to speak but hasn't said anything...I put the opening quotes, then save and close the file until later.

I never have trouble getting back into a character's head space, though, so this trick of stopping mid-sentence wouldn't really be of use to me personally.  But I could see it working for someone who gets knocked out of a character's head space more easily.

[Belial]

I am somewhat OCD (not horribly, in a can't function way... but for example, I took all my d6's and put them in a box, all facing the same way, I have about forty of them, they are stacked nine by four... this took time, and I have to put them back that way everytime I use them).

So for me, this just plain wouldn't work, leaving it incomplete like that would just nag at me and nag at me until I finished it.

*edited for clarity.

[terioncalling]

I stop wherever I stop.  Though I try NOT to do it in mid-sentence because then I go back and stare and scratch my head whilst going "Okay...what the Hell was I thinking and where'd did it scurry off to to hide whilst I wasn't looking?".

[Danielle/Evie]

I stop wherever I stop.  Though I try NOT to do it in mid-sentence because then I go back and stare and scratch my head whilst going "Okay...what the Hell was I thinking and where'd did it scurry off to to hide whilst I wasn't looking?".

same here....
      i had to get up once to chase my dog, came back and basically sat for an hour, competely lost.

[blgarver]

I usually try to end on a beat.  I usually finish a chapter in four or five good sittings, and try to end my sessions on a cliffhanger.  I think I do it just to keep myself amped about the story. 

I often will stop right before a big scene.  Not because I'm not sure what will happen (i'm not sure exactly what will happen, but that isn't why I stop).

It could be a scene I've been working toward, that one scene that has fueled my efforts the entire time, just because I really want to write the scene.  And then I'll stop a paragraph or even a sentence before that goal-scene begins.  Just pack up and go home.

It's like prolonging foreplay to make the love making better or something.  But I let it stew a little longer in my head, start thinking hard about the scene instead of just having a vague idea about what I want to happen.  Sometimes I'll let it simmer for weeks before I get back to it. 

I don't like going that long between sessions, but hey...what're ya gonna do.  I write when the words come.  And so far that seems to be working.  Though slow it may be.

BLG

[the neurovore of Zur-En-Aargh]

My work and home situation is such that I usually get to write one night a week, and it's usually Friday; I try to finish a chapter, or at least come to a reasonable break point within a chapter, every session.  [ My chapters tend to come out between two and four thousand words, for what that's worth. ]

It's certainly easier to get going again when the next bit is going to be fun and I know how it goes, but the combination of being a bit obsessive-compulsive and knowing I have limited time to do this in usually gets me putting words on the screen even when the next bit does not appear immensely exciting.

[blgarver]

So, I need some advice about returning to my novel after being away from it for at least a month, and probably more.

My situation: half way through the book, by my estimates.  Had a two or three week spurt of writing every day for 5 or 6 hours after work.  Got busy with work and bills and real life obligations.  Slowly slipped out of the habit.  Two weeks ago my beloved little cousin was killed in a car wreck, and that sent my spirit into a downward spiral.  I still want to write, and I keep trying to motivate myself to get back into the groove.  However, I simply don't feel like it.

I realize I'm still grieving and handling this in my own way, but I feel bad for putting my writing off.  Chris would not have wanted me to put anything before my writing, and I really want to finish this book for him.

Has anyone ever gone through a period when their passion for writing was faded for some reason?  Any advice on how to polish it up and get back to work?

[WonderandAwe]

Write something.  Anything.  Doesn't have to be your story.  Something small and unimportant to get you back into the habit.   

[blgarver]

Write something.  Anything.  Doesn't have to be your story.  Something small and unimportant to get you back into the habit.   

I finally just sat down and started reading my book from the previous chapter I had finished.  After an hour or so, I was back into it, and am now into Chapter 11.  Yay!