I'm writing a novel about divorce. I am a victim of the brainwashing and my family turning on me and losing my father to his wife because he was too big of a pussy to face her. I've been writing it for about a year now and I'm only on the second chapter (although the first chapter is 37 pages and the prologue is 4). It's starting to get really emotional for me to write it. I can feel the anger and depression over the situation set in. How do you people fight past the emotion when you're writing about a sore subject?
why don't you channel it into the writing, you may find you get past it, even if at that point you diecide not to use it all, there will be material for you to work on and it will be therapeutic for you S
It's common knowledge that if you have a wound that's healing, and the scab itches, you don't pick at it. The more you pick at it, the more likely it is to stay open and infect. Maybe you should find something else to write about.
I have been shying away from it when it gets difficult. I've noticed, however, that if I talk about what I'm about to write with my mom/fiance/brother I feel a lot better to write about it because they console me and I feel ok.
I've been having the same issue too, while writing a novel based on an affair/abuse sitch that happened to me a couple years back. As it is, I've only gotten a few short chapters out in several months, they haven't gotten into the actual events yet, and I had to physically tie myself to the chair to finish one of them. Anyway. The best advice I can offer when you feel the bitterness or anger or depression or whatever emotion setting in, is to take a deep breath and push into it, push it into the writing, put everything in there raw and uncut. But sometimes it can't be handled, and that's nothing to be ashamed of; so when it feels like too much then just take a break for a while... and come back when you're ready. And most of all don't be afraid to hold back on what you write. You can always take it out later; the important thing is to get it on the page in the first place. Of course, like everything, this is easier read than done. You can always come here when you need help. Best of luck on your book.
...must... fight... emotional...turmoil... need to... ugggh... write... novel... must... make... poignant... observations... about... human.... agggghh... condition!!!
It's kind of weird. I can usually only write when I'm suffering, emotional turmoil is inspiring. I write pages of vehemence, worries, imagined murderous vengeances, doubts and tears. A lot of it is not very good but when I am over it, calmer, I sift through the useful pieces. My advice... Don't fight the emotion. It can be a useful tool. Be honest as you try to put your troubles into words. Let it flow. It can be edited later.
When I write in my journal, I can easily write 20 pages on what I'm feeling/what I've felt that day or whatever. I don't know why writing this novel is making me so angry! I think I'm going to have to take some time off and do exactly what you guys are saying-use the emotions as a tool. Thanks so much!
Caution. There's a teensy little difference between writing what you think and sending it to someone. If your personal little bit of emotional turmoil makes strong reading, you can be jailed or given a criminal record for sending things over the Internet. I'm not talking Burma or China, but rather Canada and the U.S. Once you send your message, you cannot edit it later. A word to the wise.
I am completely ignorant to this sort of big brother interference. Most of the stuff I write stays private anyway, but I'm glad that I don't live in 'the land of the free'. Thanks for the advice.
"I am completely ignorant to this sort of big brother interference. Most of the stuff I write stays private anyway, but I'm glad that I don't live in 'the land of the free'." - redyelruk I don't understand dirtydog's statement. Like redyelruk, I ,too, am "ignorant to this sort of big brother interference." In the US, ANY fictional subject, clearly labeled as fiction, is legal, and any production, transmission or publication of said fictional materials is protected by the First Amendment, so long as said fictional materials do not: A) WITH MALCE, libel and/or slander an identifiable person, corporate entity, or other legally recognized organization, and/or B) describe FOR PROFIT, a disguised [or true] version of the authors real-life participation in, or knowledge of, real-life illegal [by US law] undertakings IF the author has been criminally sanctioned for his participation in those criminal undertakings [although he may tell the story on a not-for-profit basis], and/or C) advocate and/or attempt to induce others to engage in illegal [by US law] activities. The closest thing to "proscribed fiction" in the US would be works concerning: 1) pedophilia- which may garner notice and conceivably instigate and investigation of the author, if violation of B) [see above] is suspected [which seems to be highly likely in the world of today]. However, if the work is truly fictional, it is protected by law- although, admittedly, such an investigation may well prove devastating to one's standing in the community. But no jail time, because no crime. 2) national security- and of course, Bush and his paranoid buddies will scream “national security” is a stake and use this pretense to attempt to undermine the US constitution if it suits their purpose. But in the long run, they’ll lose- Nonfiction is subject to A) and C), but B) applies ONLY “IF the author has been criminally sanctioned for his participation in those criminal undertakings", [if not convicted, the author may relate any details he sees fit- which amounts to a confession. Not a very smart move!]. In Canada, however, freedom of speech and artistic expression are subject to governmental discretion (as neither is protected by Canadian law). And the Canadian government can and does arbitrarily deny these basic human rights as it sees fit.
an emotional author leads to an unreliable narrator. everybody hates unreliable narrators. don't censor yourself and don't force yourself. people love protags that suffer, but that doesn't mean the author has to suffer as well.
I think it's good to get it out. And maybe one day others will read it and find comfort in relating to your story
i love to write... its all in style though. i usually dont write journal type things unless im just angry and want to get it out there, mostly i write poems or prose, it is within these words i convey my emotions but at the same time the will to destroy the evil that has unleashed them. this kind of style is what helps me most when dealing with emotions.. its helped me tremendously.
