Colleen Conrad

One of the biggest challenges of teaching and writing at the same time is, well, doing them at the same time.  Between lesson-planning, grading, and being in the classroom, it’s hard to squeeze in some quality time with my laptop. 

I’ve noticed that this has been especially hard lately.  But, in all honestly, I don’t think this is strictly due to time constraints.  I’ve hit a rut. 

I’ve been working on one particular section of my current manuscript, but it simply isn’t working for me.  It needs some life.  I’ve tried several things:  Writing prompts, working briefly on other small projects, forging through in the hope that I can go back and edit out the sucky parts.  But, again, when I’m honest with myself…it’s not working.

So it isn’t just the fact that I have another job.  I’m not committing enough time to that project because I’m in a slump.  Two friends inquired about it last night, and I wasn’t sure how to respond.  So I just told them the truth.

Interestingly enough, they both had the same suggestion:  Go big.  Stir s**t up.

So now I think I have a plan.  I’m going to throw a major wrench in my narrative.  I’m going to do something that I hadn’t originally planned (which is always against the grain for me); something unexpected; something uncomfortable.  (Yes, I know what that change will be.  But no, I’m not going to say here.)  I’m going to up the stakes and see what my characters do with it. 

Maybe it will work, maybe it won’t.  Maybe I’ll cut and paste my way through it.  Or maybe it will be just the thing to reinvigorate this mid-novel lull. 

Keep your fingers crossed.