Back to (Deconstruction) Work!

          A while back, I said I was laying aside many of my writing expectations. The goal was to give myself a rejuvenating break. This blog and the occasional other blog post were to be my only required writing. During the past few weeks, I’ve played around with a few scenes and written a few blogs, but mostly I’ve focused on non-writing-related projects and tasks. Much of my leisure time has been spent watching movies with my husband. I’ve read books, put together puzzles and reconnected with friends over email.

          It was a success! I’m ready to get back to writing! Characters are stirring in my brain. Plots are peeking out from under their covers. What ifs are gathering near the doors. They aren’t rattling the bars yet, but they are definitely moving around the furniture.

          Now it’s time to get back to work!

          Rather than scare my creativity back into hiding by focusing on developing those characters and plots too soon, I’ve decided a better way is to coax them out. I’m going to extend the no-writing break. With a twist. No pressure to create, but intense focus on what others have created.

          I’m already reading and watching a lot of stories. Now, instead of passively watching, I’ll analyze. I’ll hyper-focus. I’ll deconstruct. Each movie I watch and each book I read will at least be summarized into a goal-motivation-conflict statement. Using Storyfix, I’ll outline the major plot points and write a brief (very brief) synopsis.

          I’m headed back to work.

          I hope this hyper-focus will create an awareness in my mind of the necessary parts of a good story that filters into my unconscious and reawakens my slumbering creativity. I’ll read and watch with purpose and focus. I’ll scrutinize and analyze scenes to determine which ones are major plot points, which ones showcase the antagonist and which ones ask and answer basic story questions. I’ll flood my mind with stories and solid analysis. And, in the process, create an enticing environment for my own ideas to come out to play.

          I’m working now! (Are you?)