Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Stuck in the Doldrums
I love metaphors, especially nautical ones. There's something about the sea that evokes all sorts of imagery that can so easily be applied to prose to make it more vivid. Like the doldrums, for instance.
In case you didn't know, the doldrums is a colloquial name for the fancy-sounding "Inter Continental Convergence Zone". It's basically an area of low pressure on or near the equator, where the trade winds converge and where the weather can be volatile, varying between dead calm and violent squalls.
Back in the days when boats used only sails for propulsion, getting "stuck in the doldrums" was no fun. Imagine days or even weeks of floating in the middle of the ocean with no idea when you would be able to get moving again. Worse still, the calm might be broken by a violent storm. All of which kind of reminds me of how it feels to be a writer.
I've actually just recently come out of the doldrums. I spent what felt like an age sitting in my boat with nothing to fill my sails while, in the distance all around me, the storms thundered. I tried everything to keep my spirits up, but to no avail. The movement a writer requires just was not there and I had no idea if would ever come.
Which is why I was pleasantly surprised when, just two weeks ago, the desire to write returned. In one week plus a long weekend, I got 15.000 words down. The next week, the total hit 30.000. As of today, I am half-way through the first draft and it has been only three weeks. I am, using the nautical metaphor, sailing "full and by". After so long without moving I feel like I'm flying above the waves rather than ploughing through them.
They key, I think, was the resolution of a number of issues I'm currently going through. Or, if not the resolution, then my ability to deal with them. I can handle one or two big problems, but I've been swamped of late. It also helped that the sequel to my first Alpha novel hit the stores recently. I sometimes find it hard to focus on a new project when I've got one waiting to go. (In case you're interested, Alpha Revelation is available at all popular online bookstores, including Amazon).
Do you ever find yourself in the doldrums? If so, what puts you there and how do you get out?
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Such an interesting post on nautical terms, Paul. And yes, I know exactly what you mean. Even using discipline to sit before that empty page doesn't always work. However, I do believe our subconscious is mulling over things and suddenly bursts out with the ideas to get us going "full and by" as you've already discovered.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting that you mention the subconscious working in the background, Rita. Back in the day when I was seriously into athletics (discus and shot), I was told that the mind will try to figure things out regarding technique, even when you're not actually throwing. It makes sense the same would happen with writing, especially if it is something that normally occupies us completely.
DeleteI'm not sure what my subconscious was doing these past months, but the story I'm currently writing is a dystopian. Maybe it's my problems manifesting on the page....
Thanks Paul. I enjoy metaphors too. Sometimes we end up in the doldrums from a variety of reasons. As you inferred you had to wait for the wind to blow. It may well be that the waiting, whilst frustrating, could have given you tme for reflection or other important things writing can consume when it is full steam ahead. Good to read your sails are full again.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ray. I did the odd bit and piece here and there, but nothing substantial. It's a wonderful feeling to be working on a proper project again.
DeleteGood to read Paul. Maybe there is hope for me yet.
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