Writing Crap

Kittens in a basket: because a basket of kittens makes everything better.

You know when it's just not working?

You're putting in your time, butt in chair, yet you know what you're producing is utter crap?

The past few days have been that way for me.

Don't get me wrong, I've written plenty of bad scenes before. But usually while I'm busy writing I don't realize they're bad. It's when I re-read that I realize, Oh yeah, that's bad. 

In this case, I know while I'm writing that it's bad. When I go back and re-read, it's still bad.

This isn't the same as writer's block.

What is it? Loss of confidence? Exhaustion?

Did the muse go on summer vacation?

I dissected the problem as I was mopping the floor this morning (because when you can't produce good writing you might as well go mop the floor) and I think I may have figured out at least one reason why I'm struggling.

Lack of percolation time.

See, the dashingly handsome sidekick has been gone on a trip and I have been home with the five kids, which, while not completely different from the normal routine, still requires a good bit of mental preparation and figuring out logistics.

I haven't been thinking about my book in my non-writing-hours. I've been thinking about when I need to get So-and-So up in order to make it to VBS on time, and how I can eke out just a bit more time for my baby's nap before we rush off to the next activity. I've been very adamant about bedtimes and stricter than usual about everything (because I have to be when Daddy's gone).

I haven't allowed my brain to wander.

All that stress must be showing itself on the page.

I wrote through it, however. I'll probably have to rewrite everything I wrote in the last two days, but I'm proud of myself for slogging through.

Today I had a blissful drive in the van that gave my brain a break ... so I think I'm starting to recover. Phew!

How about you? Do you KNOW when you're writing crap and what do you do about it?