Thinking outside the Box

I have been having a problem focusing on writing since I came back from the writers conference.  Well, that's not entirely true.  I sat down and started writing the sci-fi story that was begging me to put it on paper.  And I was happy to oblige! 

Then a problem arose; the other stories I've been writing started in on me.  They also wanted me to work their stories or finish editing them. Their voices got louder and more incessant until I had to stop writing the sci-fi story. 

Instead of writing, I read and answered emails; checked Faceb

ook, Twitter and wrote some articles for Triond. 

But the stories wouldn't leave me alone.

As I was trying to decide what to do I remembered Julie Bellon's class (love her by the way!): "Self Editing and Rewriting."

She taught us Four Secrets to Self-Editing or the CLAW method: 

Check your most basic editing checklist

Let someone else read it for you

Always print it out and read/edit the hard copy

Walk away for hours, days or weeks.

My notes from her class helped push in a direction I hadn't about before. I told my stories I would work on each piece for one week. The stories that were near completion I would print out and edit.

 The voices finally quieted.

I have five stories I am working on: three are in editing stage and two are just beginning. I'm excited to work on all of them now.  I feel the pressure has b

een released.  For now. :)

Added to all the writing drama, I am going on vacation and REALLY need to pack! And clean the house!

One of the stories that I started I am taking with me on vacation.  The location of the story fits with the location I am going to see!  I'm excited to see h

ow the story shapes.

I'd better go now, a story awaits...