Yes, I've been feeling different. I've realised that what people have been saying is true: that it's worth taking time over your novel, thinking about it, taking time out if necessary to get to know your characters and your plot... and that no writing is wasted writing or wasted time.
So, you're probably going - "Well, yes, duh!" - but although I knew it was true I couldn't feel it, didn't feel it was the right way for me. I was in a constant frenzy of "Must get this done! No time to lose!" and felt like a complete failure when I stalled or, worse, gave up.
I'm 15,000 words into my novel and I know I've got to start again. I've been writing 3 characters and jumping from one to the other and feel now that I'm losing the momentum and that it's bitty. Usually, this would have been the point where I felt as though I was never going to succeed and would have been totally down on myself, full of self-loathing and would have abandoned the project.
HOWEVER,
I DON'T FEEL LIKE THAT AT ALL!
Somehow, my psyche has accepted that it will be a long slog and that if it's worth doing, it's worth doing well. I like this story, I like these characters, I have the location clear in my mind and all I have to do is work out the best way to tell the story. And I will.
So, how are you doing? Hope I'll find out on the IWSG bloghop. You can see who's taking part over at Alex's blog here.
13 comments:
Yay! Good for you! I'm really excited to hear that :-) I've got no advice to offer, because you don't need any!
It can take me a long time to figure out the purpose of my story sometimes. I'll have the characters, I'll have the plot, but I'm not always sure of the why. Maybe I'm talking theme here. But it seems once I figure that out the novel moves a little quicker. Hang in there and tough it out. It is so worth it. :)
To slow down and do it right makes sense to me. I've tried two WriMo's and I just can't write that fast. I'm too much of a perfectionist, and tend to edit as I go, which I know I shouldn't do...but like you said, I really like my characters, and I think I've chosen the right point of view, and the location was the first thing I had. I just need time. Raising teens takes a LOT of time, and right now, they need to be my focus.
Nice to meet you and best of luck with your novel.
Tina @ Life is Good
http://kmdlifeisgood.blogspot.com/
It's great that you feel so positive :-) Good for you.
That's awesome. I'm 15K into my new project, too, and have started to feel that lack of drive that was there when it began. A little read-through of what I've done tends to bring that fire back. Thanks for visiting me today! :)
With your brain out of the loop, it should be much easier. :) My brain always gets in the way.
Thanks for visiting me!
Lauren
Lauren-ritz.blogspot.com
Thats a great state of mind to be in :)
Sounds like you're on a roll! Nice to meet you through the IWSG! Julie
Keep going, you'll get there. Nice to meet you via the IWSG.
That's awesome that you are willing and able to take on such a major undertaking with confidence
Go for it! I trashed about 10,000 words before I started on my current WIP.
Yay! Such a good feeling that is!
Oh, man, do I understand that rushing feeling. It really takes some self-talk to remind ourselves that we don't need to rush through the novel. That we can fix it. That we can start over. Good for you, and good luck!
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