Maybe I’m not decisive enough to write a book.
Making my mind up is my problem.
How many characters are too many? Can the sister do the job that the best friend was going to do? Or should I use both? What are the advantages and disadvantages of having both or only one?
(Note to authors: A reader should never have to keep a ‘who is who’ list, tucked inside the front cover. They only realize this on page 56 and then it is too late.)
The writer in me has no experience on which to base any decision. Even when my head has chosen the way to go, it starts to uhm and ah all by itself. Again.
So I start to wonder if I’m telling the right story.
Can I do this?
When I am not doing it, I know I can do it, but when I begin to do it, I doubt myself.
I am pondering with abandoning my novel, and starting again… something different.
Maybe my demon has reinvented himself because I won the last battle. He has come back as Indecision with a question mark of Confidence.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
10 comments:
How about re-writing a section with the sister doing double-duty?
Wibbly-wobblies are clearly the order of the day :(
You're nearly a quarter of the way there, would be a shame to jump ship without knowing quite how deep the water's become...
The demon is still lurking in my head. I am thinking my whole book is crap and when I read published people's blogs, say, Caroline's fabulous blog, I am completely daunted.
Why don't you have a bit of fun and play around with the characters - like Jen says rewrite the section with the sister on double duty. It would be a shame to give up on it now.
Remember you are allowed to write crap! Even if it is the biggest pile of pants (in your view) if you write this story and finish it - it would give that demon a good punch in the chops wouldn't it?
I'm with jen and helen. I had a few weeks when I couldn't see any progress then suddenly started getting ideas again, so don't give up.
" Always do what you are afraid to do." Ralph Waldo Emerson
And don't forget this is just the first draft, it won't be perfect.
You're all right, I do know, but... it's so hard. I've been fannying around for weeks now, writing odds and ends, but not doing novel. I think maybe it's in the wrong order so I'm going to reorder it, and then I'm going to try and plot it out with index cards. I keep trying to reread my old diaries to see how I felt about coming to Bangkok, as that something to do with the story.
Thanks for all of your support.
It's okay to write rubbish, it's okay to write rubbish, it's okay to write rubbish...
I agree with what everyone else has said and think that you should definately keep going!!
I have one other thing to add - If you are struggling with the novel why not try some short stories. It might liberate you a bit and give you some idea's for the novel. (I am not a writer so have no idea if this would help or hinder but it's an idea!!)
C x
Hello again all (and Carol)
I've just gone back to my diaries to remind myself of the way it felt to be new here, in the hope that it would spark some stuff, AND IT HAS... I also had a new idea for the protagonist, so... and yes, Carol, I also (before you mentioned it!) started a new short story. It just popped into my head while I was playing Bejeweled! Which will be my stock defence now, for playing it: 'it helps free up my subconscious!'
Everyone already left great advice, but yay, I'm glad you were inspired to keep going. It'd be a shame if you quit. The writing demons are a pain, but I believe you can get past them.
Hey, talk to your demons. They are really quite lovely when we get to know them. They find wonderfully creative ways to stop us from making a tit of ourselves (or being successful, wise, clever etc). I am soooo looking forward to meeting you at Caroline's launch. And all of your lovely autistic friends!
Much love x
Hi Angie
Thank you for encouragement. It would be a shame to abandon now.. I am trying to approach it differently today.
Ms M, I am so excited too. I just can't wait. I am trying to stay home, rest the hole in my foot and be fit and walking for my trip. Problem is, I seem eminently capable of making a tit of myself without the help of my demons! Still I will try and take your advice to talk to them, without sticking my fingers up at them, which maybe comes across as a bit aggressive?
JJx
JJ stick with it. Blocks can be good because they push us to dig deeper - you went back to your journals and it worked. Don't be discouraged :-)
Post a Comment