posted
First, I'd like to say I am back after a couple of month break - so hi everyone!
Next, I would like to put in a plug for my new website address (if it is ok with KDW). It's [link]http://www.mikelambson.com[/link]
Ok, on to my question... So a few months ago Meredith ran synopsis challenge, awesome by-the-way. Based on comments I recieved on my very, very early synopsis, I did some major cutting and reworking of my plotlines. This isn't a problem; it's actually fun to brainstorm for new ideas. The problem I am having now is that, since I am almost starting over, I am having a hard time keeping my writing pace at all. I am giving myself monthly, weekly, and daily goals that help me, to actually sit down and write, but it's like I have killed a small bit of the magic, or the fun in my writing.
Has anyone else gone through this, and how to you kick the fingers in the proverbial butt? I've got the ideas and the notes, I am still writing, but I've slowed to half speed or less at times. I'm not even stressed. Could it be a lack of excitement? If so, how do you get that back?
posted
I just ended up shelving a novel I was writing due to that very same problem, lack of interest. I think if you can't get excited about the initial rewrite, you might try something else.
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posted
Sometimes, you have to put one story aside for a little while and work on something else. Let the excitement build again for that story. It's probably better to do that BEFORE you make writing that story into WORK.
Kevin J. Anderson, in his 11 tips, suggests always having multiple projects in different phases of writing--world building, first draft, revision, etc. (no problem for me ) so that you can switch off when you need to and not lose your writing momentum.
posted
So it's the rewrite that is bogging you down, if I read that correctly?
I get around that by not rewriting. I would say submit the work and move on to something new. New stuff is where the real practice and writing happens anyway, so if you've lost your excitement, why torture yourself? Write something new
posted
Oswam, I think you hit the nail on the head. I am NOT excited about the rewrite, but I am still excited about the story. I even dream about it. The plots are solidifying into something amazing, I get so many ideas about different details throughout the story. I keep making notes and picturing what life would be like eight-hundred years from now. Then I sit down to the narative and....stall... Dangit! I love this story, I don't want my mental cramps to stop it or shelve it.
Maybe I am just afraid of not getting it right or something like that. IDK ****Now comes the string of fake cuss words...darn, freaking, dumb, idiotic,crappy, mental cramps**** WHEW! Now that that's out of the way, somebody slap me in the face and tell me to write.
posted
Ok, my last post was supposed to end up right after oswams reply. So you guys think I should be working on other things as well? Start something new? What is this 'start something new' idea? I don't even know what I would start.
By-George, I think I hit my head too hard on the brick wall, it smarts. Yes, me, myself, and I are a very crazy team tonight. Shhh, I think the village is trying to find me again. No matter how well I cover my eyes they always seem to find me. EEP!
posted
Well, I actually like the idea of working on something else and letting that story rest until the enthusiasm builds again and the story is scratching at the insdie of your skull to get out. But, if that doesn't work for you, can you try working on a different part of the story or working on it in a different way?
Maybe stop writing and draw up a rough map, if you haven't already. Do a little more world building (can't really overdo that). Or write a scene or two from the POV of a different character.
posted
At least two ways to do rewrites: 1--sit with the previous draft and make changes in it (aka "editing"), 2--sit down with it all in your head and start writing it all over again on blank paper (or screen).
Which kind of rewrite are you trying to do? If the first kind, that may explain the lack of enthusiasm. You may need to wait until you are excited and willing to do it the second way.
Also, as Meredith suggests, jump around in the story. Write the part that is most exciting to you, instead of slogging through stuff that isn't so that you can get to the exciting parts. As I have said before and will say again, just as movie scenes are not necessarily filmed in the order in which they will be viewed, story scenes do not have to be written in the order in which they will be read.
If you write Chapter Later On before Chapter One, and then write Chapter Whenever, and then write Chapter Last of All, and then go write Chapter In-Between, and so on, doing the parts that are clawing to be put on paper until something is written for all of it, and THEN go through the whole thing to fix the transitions and "edit" to get it to flow together smoothly, it may work better for you.
posted
I try for a steady five hundred words a day, at least when I'm actually working on something, or at least something new.
The last time I tried a rigid writing schedule with goals and timetables and outlines---and this was some thirty years ago---I wrote a novel in about a week's time. Then the schedule broke down three chapters into the next novel.
quote:At least two ways to do rewrites: 1--sit with the previous draft and make changes in it (aka "editing"), 2--sit down with it all in your head and start writing it all over again on blank paper (or screen).
Hm. Then I must be doing a rewrite right now instead of the first draft. I'm still not completely fluent on this writer's jargon...
posted
My solution to this problem is exactly what Meredith suggested in her first post. I have at least two projects going on at the same time, a novel which is a long term project, and short stories, which are short term.
Typically, I'll write a chapter or two of my novel, and then a story idea thats been percolating in my head for a while will insist on being written, so I'll start the story. Between drafts of the story, I'll go back to the novel and work some more on that.
Sometimes, I find that getting feedback on a manuscript can lead to new ideas for that story or novel and motivate me to work on it. So perhaps workshop the manuscript a bit and see if that gets you excited about working on it.
posted
MartinV, rewrite method 2 requires that there are already previous drafts. Writing it out from scratch and from what's in your head can be a first draft, but that's not what I was talking about. I was talking about having written it at least once, and then writing it all again without looking at what you write before. That method is especially helpful when you've "edited" the story to death (or at least to the point where it's lost its "sparkle").
posted
I call writing it out from scratch again (without looking at earlier draft) re-drafting (to avoid confusion with rewriting).
It has worked for me in the past. I find that redrafting is a lot simpler and turns out a better product than trying to go in and "fix" whatever is wrong in the initial draft if more than a few minor issues appear.
posted
Right now, I'm writing a story I already wrote but was not completely satisfied with it. I am writing everything again because I didn't like the style from before and simultaneously expanding the story.
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quote: MartinV, rewrite method 2 requires that there are already previous drafts. Writing it out from scratch and from what's in your head can be a first draft, but that's not what I was talking about. I was talking about having written it at least once, and then writing it all again without looking at what you write before. That method is especially helpful when you've "edited" the story to death (or at least to the point where it's lost its "sparkle"). I hope that makes sense.
I've never done that type of revising, there's another name for it -recasting maybe- anyway, someone suggested I do that for part of a story they critted for me. They didn't think the first part was me-like I was writing it for editors or some such-and I didn't find my voice until half way through or so.
I thought about doing it but wasn't sure if I could recall all the stuff I wanted in that first part.
Oh yes, I wrote a novel five-six years ago and I've learned so much since then(even though I'm still stuck) I'm sure the writing needs a lot cleaning up so I thought about just doing a rewrite or recast, it would be a whole lot easier and faster I think.
posted
Thank you everyone for the ideas. It helps alot! Just a thought, but this topic might be something to put into a section of its own for new writers like me.
For my own work, I am going to go with the world building and writing exciting scenes as they come to mind rather then pushing at the story in order. I say - I was telling myself that I can't skip ahead till I have the current scene figured out. I was killing my own excitement.
I can feel my excitement building again; Woo Hoo!!
P.S. I know I act 15 some times, but I am almost double that age. I'm young at heart dispite what my wife may tell you.
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) so that you can switch off when you need to and not lose your writing momentum.
