This post is my contribution to the Insecure Writer's Support Group. If you're interested in participating click HERE. As always, thanks go out to Alex J. Cavanaugh for founding this bloghop in which we can all share our writing insecurity.
I haven't been writing.
There, I said it.
On my last pass through my novel, I made a huge change to the beginning, which required much change throughout the rest. And I finished that. Probably two months ago. Then, I read it. After said reading, I wanted to throw my kindle across the room (I read my WiP on my kindle). Every time I make huge changes this story become a rough draft. Again. A very rough draft. I know it needs polishing and love and then I'll be happier with it. At least I hope I'll be happier with it.
Right now I'm not all that happy with it. This novel feels like the story that will never be what I want it to be. And that makes me want to run and hide from it. BTW, I've been doing that successfully for two months now.
The thing is this: I believe that it can be good. Maybe great. (Crossing my fingers on great.) But, it's not going to be anything if I don't knuckle down and work on it.
Anyone else ever feel this way?
Time to start polishing and see what you find!
ReplyDeleteI've definitely felt this way before. The fact that you feel like it could be great is a good sign. Actually sitting down and making that happen is tricky, but you can do it!
ReplyDeleteOh, yeah, I've been there. I had been editing on my last novel (out this week!) for month when I suddenly thought it might be just awful. My solution was to send it to some beta readers. The fact that some never responded was worrying--did they hate it that much, or did they just not have time to read it??--but the ones who did respond were very encouraging. So I got back to work, and even managed to cope with a last-minute change to the ending.
ReplyDeleteRebecca My IWSG Post
Oops--that link in my sig line is wrong. That's the November post. Try this one. One of my resolutions is to get this stuff right. Yeah. Uh-huh.
DeleteMy IWSG Post
I can relate to this. I had changed the middle of one of my books and have had to change much of the second half. I'm still working on that. The problem is, these changes impact the second book which I wrote long ago. *sighs* I hope we both get our books to the places they're meant to be. :)
ReplyDeleteA lot of people have posted about taking a break --deliberately or not--from writing. There must be something going around that writers are susceptible to. But all things are cyclic and I know everyone will pick up their pens again and the prose will flow. Here's to a prolific 2016.
ReplyDeleteDo I ever feel this way? Um, hell yes! I haven't even tried working on my novel for over a year for pretty much the exact same reasons. I know I have to rewrite a huge chunk of it but starting from scratch seems so difficult. But at the same time, I also feel like it could be great, but I just have to actually work on it to make it that way.
ReplyDeleteI think we all have felt this way. The only answer is to sit down and do it. Go get it for 2016.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, thanks for giving more time on the BOTB. Yes, things have been hectic for me. I failed to post my own battle and I'm still trying to get to all the other battles.
ReplyDeleteSecond, I know your feelings on your story. The one story I keep trying to work on has probably gone through ten rewrites since it's inception. I'm always changing and always going back. That is until last year. I decided to stop with the revisions and just get to finishing it. No more going back. Sometimes we have to accept things the way they are. I hope the rest of your story goes as planned.
Yes! I've spent the past year (off and on) ignoring the book I'm working on. I finally dug into the edits on one story and I'm glad I did. Now I'm excited again. Maybe if you jump in, you'll feel the same way.
ReplyDeleteHi, Robin...
ReplyDeleteYOU BET!!!! I have been beating my first two novels to death for six years now... SO, yes!
Take a deep breath and DIVE RIGHT IN...
With me, I need to START WRITING AGAIN.. I haven't written anything in two years. BAD MICHAEL... blame it on life... and ... exhaustion. At least for the past four months during my hellacious rehab... I gave up.. lol. At least for the time being. Posted pics of the place if you get a chance to drop by...
I wish you all the BEST for 2016. You've had so many distractions with life, too, so this break may have been needed. Be kind to yourself. You deserve it...
I haven't been writing either. Let's start a club.
ReplyDeleteI'm also doing my BOTB results on Friday, but that was my plan anyway. We have so much in common.
Have you checked out the "Lost and Found Blog Hop" that we're doing. I think you'd have some really good stories to tell judging from what you've posted on your blog previously related to the subject.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Yes, this is so relatable! I was re-working a memoir for publication, decided it was much too sparse, started to rewrite the whole thing from the beginning, got fed up and parked it. :P I guess you have to tackle these projects when the mood is right. Trouble is, it rarely is. I wish you much success with your novel, Robin.
ReplyDeleteYes, this is so relatable! I was re-working a memoir for publication, decided it was much too sparse, started to rewrite the whole thing from the beginning, got fed up and parked it. :P I guess you have to tackle these projects when the mood is right. Trouble is, it rarely is. I wish you much success with your novel, Robin.
ReplyDeleteI think this is fairly normal...at least for me, which is why I go through 12, 13, 16 drafts. Breaks are required, and you have to be in it for the long haul. Good luck. I know you will get there.
ReplyDeleteWell, from what you say, it's not something that you're going to find easy to just let go. But sometimes you definitely need to take a break and the right answers can hit you when you're not even thinking about it. Two months isn't that long. Don't try to rush or force anything and it'll come together, I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteHi Robin,
ReplyDeleteYes and sorry, it has been ages since I visited your blog. Thus, before I go any further, I do hope that you have a pressure free writing 2016.
I never feel that way. It's because I don't pressurise myself and thus, get all stressed out, which can invariably lead to a form of what writers seem to call writer's block.
Nothing wrong with reflecting and discovering the balance in the writing of your novel. I haven't been writing that much, but it doesn't bother me because I shall write when it feels right. Simple as that.
All the best and keep smiling, Robin.
Gary :)
A lot of good advice here and I think the best is...sometimes a break can be a good thing!
ReplyDeleteNothing wrong with a little restructuring/reorganizing and I wish you the best of luck.