nanowrimo_lj | Getting into the right headspace (Reply)

My novel is a straightforward fiction piece. No vampires, dragons, fantasy, magic, sci-fi, or anything like that. It's a human drama with a lot of very difficult moments. I feel like I'm plumbing the depths of my soul every night, and it's affecting me.

Last year I could write my book anywhere - at my desk, in the living room while my wife and I watched Seinfeld on DVD, during some leftover time at work. It didn't really matter. I could drop in, write a few hundred words, and drop out like it was nothing.

I don't know if it's my different schedule that gives me fewer opportunities to write on the go or the much heavier content of this novel compared to last year, but I find that this year I'm really unable to get in and out of the headspace to write the book so easily. I tried writing some stuff during some free time at work and I couldn't put down a single word. I just didn't feel it. And the other night I finished my writing in the evening, left the sprint room (go time traveling gypsies!) and it took me an hour of watching Big Bang Theory to get somewhat back in the mood. And even then it's still tough.

I was wondering if anyone had any techniques for facilitating the transition in and out of those tough headspaces. It's getting really hard for me and I need the flexibility to churn out a few hundred words on a moment's notice. It's a very personal piece for me, very difficult to write but incredibly rewarding. I really believe in this piece and I'm excited to write it. I don't want to go crazy in the process.

Thoughts?