Holly Lisle: Writer

Container Universes and Create A World Clinic #wabwm

After very difficult last two weeks, where I was overhauling the major part of the HowToThinkSideways.com site, it was sheer joy to get back to writing Create A World Clinic. And while I didn’t set the world on fire, I did get 802 words, and the first two sections of the Container Universe chapter done.

Also dressed up this place for spring. 😀

Some stress-related health issues hit over the weekend. They’d be a problem if I let them be. I’m not going to. I’ve started taking better care of myself: I’m taking breaks, working fewer hours, exercising more, sleeping more.

I’ll still get everything done. Just not at the frenzied pace of previous years.

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16 responses to “Container Universes and Create A World Clinic #wabwm”

  1. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Hi Holly,

    A big THANK YOU, for sharing your expertise and knowledge.

    I have started my first novel, and for me, your blog, website, books and youtube videoes have been the best thing since sliced bread. Awesome!

    Your down-to-earth advice motivates and inspires me. You take the mystery and secrecy out of writing that spurs me on when the doubts kick in.

    So thanks 🙂

    Reply
  2. S. Tael Avatar
    S. Tael

    Sleep and excercise are good. Roll a tennis ball under each foot alternately for an awesome foot massage on the go.

    Move at whatever pace you need to in order to stay healthy, just please dont burn out lol. This is a great blog with great resources.

    Reply
  3. Judy Corduan Avatar
    Judy Corduan

    Better to work at slower pace than none. You would be sorely missed if you had to stop.
    Just wondering if you have ever heard of or tried EFT, the emotional freedom Technigue of tapping acupuncture points to release stress.
    plenty of free how to videos on you tube, also mercola.com explains it.
    HOt baths in lavender scent with relaxing music is really hard to beat, tho. EFT is quick and free.
    Do take care.
    JC

    Reply
  4. Martin K. Avatar
    Martin K.

    Hello Mrs. Lisle,
    Recently I’ve been reading your many workshops and have frequented your site. I myself am a teenager interested in writing novels, both realistic and fictional, but have come to an impasse similar to Christopher Paolini before he wrote his first novel. I can not seem to write more than five pages of a book without discarding the idea. I love writing, but whenever I begin a drawn out novel I can not seem to go more then a few pages. I am in need of help and have decided to turn to you for this help. If you have any suggestions about what I could do, please do not hesitate to contact me at my email address. Thank you so much for your help!

    Martin

    Reply
    1. Holly Avatar
      Holly

      Hi, Martin,

      Running out of steam after five (or thirty) pages means you haven’t thought your idea through sufficiently. Before you start writing, you need to know, at BARE minimum, what your main character most wants in the world, why he wants it, and what is standing in the way of his getting it.

      Cheerfully,
      Holly

      Reply
      1. Sue Avatar
        Sue

        The previous email on EFT therapy is real and true. Also called Tapping.
        http://Www.tapping.com
        Or watch utube videos on EFT or tapping. In 5 minutes you will know how to do it. Just make sure u Tap for at least 5 minutes to get best results. Do the affirmations (even though I have migraines (or whatever) I totally and completely accept myself) at the beginning or it
        doesn’t work. The affirmation goes to
        your subconscious self.
        Also I heard Butterbur works on migraines.
        I’m so glad I found you Holly. It was on Cassandra Clares website. She recommended you and I bought 2 of your books off kindle so far. I’ve read 50+ books on writing in the last 3 years trying to teach myself. Your books r the easiest to follow. They cut through all the BS and give u an easy to follow map. Every other book has either been to difficult to understand or badly written. Thank u so much! I’m working with your book on Plots right now. I will be buying your other books as I need them.
        Thank u.
        Sue

        Reply
  5. Shawna Avatar
    Shawna

    Thank you SO much for making the orange go away… the minty green is much easier on the eyes!

    It’s okay to be the tortoise, progressing at a steady pace – and not allowing yourself to overdo it like the hare. It’s been a hard rule for me to learn, too – but life is so much the sweeter when we do.

    Reply
    1. Holly Avatar
      Holly

      I change up the site when I’m stuck.

      Web work is both useful, and left-brain focused, which leaves my right brain free to figure out where I’m having problems with my book.

      This tinkering thing has been part of my process since I got my very first website—and beats the hell out of FreeCell, which was my process before I went online. 😀

      So you’re welcome. But color changes here are apt to happen at odd intervals.

      Reply
  6. Amy Keeley Avatar
    Amy Keeley

    Like the others, I’m glad to hear you’re taking care of yourself. Sleep is good. 🙂

    I’m also really happy to see you’re making good progress on the Create a World Clinic. Setting is my weakest area, and I’m curious to see how you approach it. (I’ve already bought the other three clinics and love them.)

    Reply
    1. Holly Avatar
      Holly

      Thanks, Amy.

      I’m still feeling off, still dealing with the issues that slammed me out of nowhere.

      Knowing that I’m simplifying and cutting out the parts of my work that have been jacking my stress levels through the roof has helped a bit. Being PAST that part will, I hope, help more.

      And I hit a snag on World…but I got the first part of my solution today—WHAT I’m doing wrong.

      Now I just have to figure out how to get it right.

      Reply
  7. Roisin Avatar
    Roisin

    It’s great that you’re taking better care of yourself. You’ll probably find that, over a long time, you’ll be more/as productive and less ill and stressed.

    I wanted to drop in and say thank you for your most recent writing newsletter, which led me to the article about writers and depression. I read it a long time ago, but right now this struggling taoist really needed to hear your advice about thanking the universe each morning. I already do the yoga and stretching by a sunny window, but I know that the thankful meditation each morning is something I need.

    So thanks for being the messenger.

    Reply
    1. Holly Avatar
      Holly

      Glad I could help. 😀

      Reply
  8. Alice Mist Avatar
    Alice Mist

    It’s good that you are taking care of your self. I am so happy that I found your cite!I have been looking for help with my writing and your cite came up. I hope you have a great weekend.
    -Alice

    Reply
  9. Amanda Avatar
    Amanda

    Hi
    love your new spring color. Congratulations on your decision about taking care of you. Hope and wishes that you are enjoying yourself …

    Reply
  10. Stephanie Avatar
    Stephanie

    Holly,
    I am glad to hear you are taking better care of yourself. Breaks are good, but imho naps are king! Those, and bubble baths or a visit to a hot tub!

    Take the time you need, and stay healthy. I for one want to read all you can write, but do not want you to suffer burn out or worse in the process….

    Reply
    1. Holly Avatar
      Holly

      I’m thinking not working sixty to eighty hours a week will probably be a step in the right direction, too. 😉

      Right with you on the naps. They’re the best thing ever.

      Reply

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