Ask the Author: Pamela M. Covington
Answered Questions (3)
Pamela M. Covington
Hello Donna and congratulations to you on your academic achievement. That's awesome! You can find A Day at the Fare on Amazon at amzn.to/2gvgyk8 Thanks for your inquiry. I hope you enjoy the read.
Pamela M. Covington
1. Remember it is a fortunate and creative choice you are making. That you are even engaged in it is an act of creative manifestation--a true gift. Envision what a successfully completed work will look like and how readers will benefit from it, then use that image to keep your engine revved towards the Finish Line--even with a few detours, breakdowns, life challenges, etc. along the way. Affirm that you can do this! You ARE doing this!
2. Allow yourself a defined no-guilt break period--a few hours, a day, whatever you feel comfortable with, but DO define it. Expose yourself to some creative environment to inspire and re-up your own creative energy. This could be an art exhibition, a stage performance, a poetry call, a concert, or other creative event you would enjoy. Indulging in the creative works of others (not necessarily books) can often re-energize your own creative flow.
3. Ask yourself what little things you can do to make your return to writing more appealing: uplifting instrumental music in the background, a favorite scented candle, changing the color background you're writing on in Word, working in a different location. I find that my choice of environment often sends a signal to my brain that "It's that time again! Let's get to it!"
4. Try writing things out first a bit with pencil and paper, or plotting the section or chapter that has you feeling overwhelmed. Evaluate the sequence of things taking place in the chapter you are writing. Try mindmapping software such as Freemind just to get it all in front of you in one easy place and consider how the subject matter flow would best make sense. Plus, you may realize you're missing a few things to complete the story.
BTW: I like getting away from the computer screen sometimes. One thing that frees me up (and it feels good, too!) is taking a large newsprint sketch pad to my easel, grabbing some markers and jotting down whatever ideas for the "stuck part" come to mind. I've solved many an issue this way. It also works when I'm speech writing or at Square One on my next book.
Thanks for your question, U. M. Hiram. I hope you find these helpful.
2. Allow yourself a defined no-guilt break period--a few hours, a day, whatever you feel comfortable with, but DO define it. Expose yourself to some creative environment to inspire and re-up your own creative energy. This could be an art exhibition, a stage performance, a poetry call, a concert, or other creative event you would enjoy. Indulging in the creative works of others (not necessarily books) can often re-energize your own creative flow.
3. Ask yourself what little things you can do to make your return to writing more appealing: uplifting instrumental music in the background, a favorite scented candle, changing the color background you're writing on in Word, working in a different location. I find that my choice of environment often sends a signal to my brain that "It's that time again! Let's get to it!"
4. Try writing things out first a bit with pencil and paper, or plotting the section or chapter that has you feeling overwhelmed. Evaluate the sequence of things taking place in the chapter you are writing. Try mindmapping software such as Freemind just to get it all in front of you in one easy place and consider how the subject matter flow would best make sense. Plus, you may realize you're missing a few things to complete the story.
BTW: I like getting away from the computer screen sometimes. One thing that frees me up (and it feels good, too!) is taking a large newsprint sketch pad to my easel, grabbing some markers and jotting down whatever ideas for the "stuck part" come to mind. I've solved many an issue this way. It also works when I'm speech writing or at Square One on my next book.
Thanks for your question, U. M. Hiram. I hope you find these helpful.
Pamela M. Covington
Used to only seeing me doing okay, not many people had any idea I'd gone through a welfare and poverty experience. Whenever I would mention it, the response was always "You should write a book about it." "You have to share your story. It will help a lot of people!" I knew "A Day at the Fare" could possibly stir me in a lot of ways and I'd have to do some internal self-strengthening to relive it, but felt that my story will help others, it was something I had to do. Now that readers are constantly telling me how much the book inspires them, I'm very glad I did!
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Feb 12, 2017 01:19PM