So here we are at another IWSG day...and I feel like I'm in the exact same place I've been in for the past two months. I just don't have much of a desire to work on my novel. I desperately want it to be done, but I don't want to work on it. Solid logic, right?
Anyway, I decided to change my strategy (you know, doing absolutely nothing), at least for a little while. Take the pressure off a little. So I let my mind drift to a different story. Shiny New Story, to be specific (which will get an actual title at some point). And then eventually my fingers drifted as well. As in actual writing. Real life words! Not just random ideas I punch into my phone at 3 AM. Like, paragraphs! Dialogue! Stuff happening!
I think there were a lot of factors that made it easier to work on SNS. Just because it was something different. Because it's a first draft and I can write really crappy sentences and not care. Or even care if everything is making complete sense, because I can fix it later. And the main parts I worked on were particularly suspenseful, which was a fun change. Not all of my story ideas always involve suspense, but I do really enjoy it, so it was fun to work on.
I'm not entirely certain this completely reinvigorated my desire to write. I was hoping after indulging for a while, I would eventually get back into editing UL. That still hasn't happened. But it was nice taking a little break and to actually get some writing done instead of just avoiding everything.
At least I know when I'm struggling to write/edit, I always have something shiny to distract me.
I switched back and forth between writing two novels. But the shiny new one fell flat at some point and I returned to the first one! Write what moves you more. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThat's why I always have a back-up project or two to play around with whenever I need a break from the main project. I love first drafts because it doesn't have to make sense, it just has to be something. Definitely takes the pressure off—and shiny new story ideas are always fun with which to play.
ReplyDeleteI love that working title :-) I agree that one of the nice thing about first drafts is that you can write really crappy sentences, misspell things etc. It's kind of refreshing at times. But, then of course the dreaded editing phase takes over.
ReplyDeleteMaybe after a little while UL will become "shiny" again and you'll want to work on that. :)
ReplyDeleteA shiny new story is always great to distract from the insecurities of the one in editing mode ;-)
ReplyDeleteRonel visiting on Insecure Writer's Support Group day: Autumn Decisions
This is quite common. I've been going through something very similar for over a year. #sadface It's like my mojo got up and left without giving me notice. Then again, a lot of other things in my life have interfered. It is what it is, right? But we have to remind ourselves that we are the ones in charge, even when it doesn't feel like it. So I've recently begun reworking my synopsis, which will lead to me reworking (not really rewriting) my current MG manuscript. I'm hoping to finish before the summer months go into full swing - so like five weeks. LOL All the luck to you with your shiny new thing and the older one. I'm sure this is just another valley in your writing life. And valleys are where we grow. (Sounds a lot better when I tell someone else that as opposed to when I try to convince myself of that. LOL)
ReplyDeleteSometimes a book just needs to sit for a while. I find if I leave one alone for long enough, I come back and the flame is rekindled. Unless you have a deadline, take the pressure off. Enjoy the writing for what it is and let the editing happen when it needs to.
ReplyDeleteA shiny new story can definitely help spark our writing again. I started a project last year and wrote over 100 pages in two weeks. I ended up getting stuck around 200 pages this January, but I'll return to it eventually. Right now, I'm struggling with what I should work on. I have ideas but no motivation.
ReplyDeleteHey, you never know - that new idea might be it. Just run with it for now.
ReplyDeleteThat's why I jump from project to project. Not that it always works out well, I have a few sad drafts trailing in my wake that I'm not sure will ever be finished. I do find it invigorating and sometimes helpful to work on something completely different for a short time and then go back to the main WIP. Currently, that's The Greenling, with breaks for some mapping for an old story and some short stories and some poetry and some non-fiction and some Captain Wrath. Poor Captain Wrath - he's not quite lost in my wake, but his story does need to get finished - after the Greenling. :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like you have a good plan here. When you are more inspired, you can go back to your other project.
ReplyDeleteI struggle with finishing a big project, so I can sympathise. It can seem overwhelming. Hopefully the shiny new thing puts the fun back into writing for you!
ReplyDeleteShiny new ideas are always a good way to get yourself writing.
ReplyDeleteI think one of the best commentary I heard from a published author is that writers should be kinder to themselves. Taking a break doesn't equate to failure. If a new project is inspiring you and bringing your joy back, embrace it. Don't abandon your other project for all time, just for now. Top athletes give themselves recovery time, writers should too.
ReplyDeleteIf shiny gets you writing, that's good. Just let the words flow.
ReplyDeleteShiny does have a strong pull. Sometimes in the tough moments shiny can be the best choice. Good Luck. Happy IWSG.
ReplyDeleteTaking a break is essential to avoid burnout. Now's the time to focus on that shiny object and go with it. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI'm one to let myself drift into new stories. I just randomly wrote a short story the other day, unrelated to the plots and stories I know I should be working on. Still, any progress is good progress, right?
ReplyDeleteI had exactly the same problem! Except for me there was a snag in my manuscript that I couldn't figure out how to fix. I tried Shiny New Story, and my critique group loved it, but encouraged me not to give up on the other one "It's too brilliant!" they said, but I knew it wasn't query-worthy. So I put it off, but finally realized I need to do some serious Think-writing. So I turned off the computer, and just thought. I thought and thought, and thought, until I had an inkling of an idea what I wanted to do. I jotted it down, and then set it aside to percolate. While working on Unrelated Blog Posts, the idea cooked and became something I could use!
ReplyDeleteGood luck on your project, and I hope my anecdote helps you find what works for you.
I can definitely relate to this feeling, I am a terrible procrastinator. Sometimes it really helps to give yourself a break and work on something else.
ReplyDelete