Expert: Susan Rand - 1/28/2008

Question
QUESTION: Dear Susan, I'm a published writer here in Indonesia. I'm currently on the making of my second novel, and I have a serious problem I can't solve alone. It's about the idea incubation.

So here I've incubate my idea for nearly 5 months. I think it's too long, really. I usually incubate my idea for 1 week or so. But this is a special case. I haven't got my final idea until now!

My criteria of "final idea", is something that could make me write non-stop, full with exploding enthusiasm, and hence, with that kind of spirit, usually the story will reach the finish line. So I usually choose not to start writing until I get the final idea.

Now, when I don't have that final idea, I can't write my second novel, and it's frustrating. People told me that it's writer's block. But I have tried many ways to overcome writer's block--reading, watching TV/movies, talk to people, but still I failed to get the final idea.

I read a book that said, "Let the idea incubate itself. Don't push yourself to write until the idea reach the final form."

But it has been too long, don't you think? What should I do? Should I keep waiting, or should I write anything I have on my head, even those ideas couldn't give me the exploding enthusiasm?

Oh yes, and P.S, I just accepted a prestigious writing award recently in Indonesia, so you can tell that my name's kinda hot now, and my readers always plead me to release my second novel ASAP! I'm in deadline here! Thank you for the answer.

ANSWER: Hello Faida:

Congratulations on winning the award! It appears that you are an accomplished writer.

I don't believe you are suffering from writer's block, but from taking too seriously information you get from books. Such books of advice are meant as guidelines - suggestions only, not as hard and fast rules. Don't ever take them too seriously. If a suggestion results in problems for you, drop it! Pay close attention to only those suggestions that move you along, and forget those that stop you in your tracks. This one is particularly damaging - who knows when the idea will finalize itself? How long are you supposed to wait, a month? A year?

Nonsense.

By all means, write! Write whatever comes into your mind about your story. Write action scenes, dialogue, description, whatever you like. Your "final idea" will no doubt finalize itself through the writing of these fragments, which when put together, will make a first draft.

Instead of watching TV and movies, why not join a good writing forum to get inspiration? I recommend worddistillery.com. The people there are bound to inspire you.

I hope this has helped. If it has, a nice rating would be greatly appreciated. I am proud of my high score over 1300+ questions answered.

And good luck with your writing!

PS: For more help, visit my website at http://pygmypress.com, and thank you for writing!



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Susan:
Thank you for your answer. It's kinda enlightening me. Thank you. But can I ask you one more question?

So here, I really want to be a professional writer, someone who dedicate herself truly to writing. And I thought professional writer is a productive one. But look at me now. What, 5 months thinking about one idea? I'm in college, I was busy back there, but I thought that's not a good enough reason not to finish just one more novel.

I always mad at myself, why can't I be productive? I mean, why? Oh my, I'm sorry for being a little emotional here. But, could you suggest some tips for me being more productive?

Answer
Hello Farida:

I apologize for misspelling your name before.

I understand that you are having trouble with your second novel. There are so many different reasons why this might be so, I can't begin to isolate the reasons behind your particular problem, without a lot more information. It may be that you aren't really that enthralled with your new idea, or that you are at the moment under a lot of stress and are having trouble relaxing. It is also possible that you are demanding too much of yourself.

I would suggest that when you sit down to write, you first lean back, close your eyes and try to relax. (Relaxation techniques are available on the Web). Try to empty your mind. If something comes, sit up and write it down. Then lie back again, and repeat the process. After a while, you will get in the habit of automatically relaxing when you sit down to write. I believe this will help you.

It might also help if you could set aside a block of time, once a day, or every other day or once a week, just for writing - a schedule you can be comfortable with, and that you can stick to. When you have set a time, use it for writing only. No talking on the phone or thinking about your homework. Try to keep all that out of your mind. Just relax, and write.

It may also be that you could profit by an association with a guide, or mentor. That's why I gave you my website. My mentoring services are quite inexpensive (US$2 per lesson) and very effective. I would certainly not let you think about one thing for even a month, much less five! Having a mentor can certainly increase your productivity.

I am assuming you are young, in your twenties perhaps. Don't expect everything to happen all at once. Be patient with yourself, and remember, this process is supposed to be fun!

Please let me know how things go with you. I'd like to see you succeed.

And thank you for writing.