Like write.
Because very few things sound like a good idea until persuasively proposed by someone else. But, for those people who know me, it takes little to convince me that something is, in fact, a good idea. And even better, I feel acute guilt if I for some reason fail to succumb to said peer pressure. So, when Jen Hayley said that maybe we needed to set a goal so that we would both hand over our manuscripts on time, I thought, Good. Idea.
That was a week ago. Goal deadline? Friday.
The terms of the deal were that Jen had to write 18k and I had to…ummm…figure the rest of my manuscript out, write a new first chapter, and address two points from the editorial letter.
Yesterday was supposed to be my last “thinking” day, meaning that I was supposed to have the rest of my manuscript figured out by today so that I could, yanno, start doing stuff. Success on that front has been mixed. I did manage to write my critique partner a long, stream of conscious email detailing my plans. I have not inserted those plans into my chapter breakdown, which last time I checked, was the whole purpose of that thing in the first place.
That’s where the peer pressure kicks in because damned if I’m going to start standing up to it now. Nothing like an arbitrarily created heart attack to get things done, right?
I hate reaching the end of a thinking time and not actually having things figured out. Peer pressure is good, but so is aggressive brainstorming–reading lots of books, listening to lots of music, watching movies, going on drives to somewhere awesome like a museum or antique store or book signing. Then after stuffing myself with inspiration, talking to someone aloud about my story and my problem. Something breaks loose. Always, when talking aloud.
I wish you the best of luck Chan. Will you give us updates? Maybe it will be more distracting than helpful, but I will totally follow your progress if you give us updates.
-Mandy
Ohh I like the term “aggressive brainstorming.” I’m not very good at doing that, but my brainstorming skills are something that I’m looking to improve generally.