To tell the truth, I’ve been in a writing slump this week.
Plot issues stalled the edits, I had to go back and rewrite large portions of
what I had already done, which was demoralising, and I haven’t got back to
where I was before so I can move on with the story, which is frustrating. All
in all, it’s very easy to feel down about my book at the moment. At times, I’m
very tempted to chuck it in the bin, and give up on this whole editing thing.
The book is being difficult right now, but, in a slightly
more positive point of view, the fact that I know I have to rewrite things
means that I’m making progress. I can obviously see what’s working and what’s
not, and that’s a good thing. From what I can figure, the way that I see it,
there are two ways I can look at this at the moment. I can either sit in a
puddle and weep about the unfairness of life (a highly attractive option at
this point), or look at it as a good thing for my book and push on with the
edits.
At the moment, I’m trying to go with option two. Objectively,
I know that the fact that I’ve identified the problem with my book and am
working to fix it is a good thing. Inside though, I really, REALLY don’t want
to rewrite this all again. But that’s the way with writing really, isn’t it? Sometimes
things get tough and you just have to push through it and keep going. That’s what
being a writer is about sometimes. Not that I want to hear that right at the
moment. Chocolate, books, and hiding from edits sound so much nicer right now…
So that’s what I’m trying to do at the moment. My end of
February deadline has come and gone, but I’m still determined to get this thing
finished. I’m trying to think positively about things at the moment. Because
after all, these changes have to happen anyway, so may as well be positive
about it, right? Besides, the more positively I can think, the easier the
writing is. So, onwards and upwards! Time to get this thing finished before
Camp NaNoWriMo.
Speaking of CampNaNo, sign-ups for April Camp have opened.
Time to start prepping the novels, gathering the inspiration, and setting sail
on the Camp train (boat? canoe?) for the first session of the year. Anyone else
planning on doing Camp in April?
Goodness, this is just what I needed. I'm in the middle of line edits and gorging my eyes out with a spork sounds preferable to going over my MS once again. It's much better to attempt to stay positive. (Although it's hard. Because that spork's looking pretty good right now.)
ReplyDeleteBut thumbs up for your great attitude! And good luck with edits :)
Ugh, that must be a frustrating stage to be in. None of the interesting edits, just the endless tiny tweaks. Stay strong Victoria! You'll get there. I'll just hide the sporks over here, shall I?
DeleteI know EXACTLY how you feel! yesterday I wanted to quit! that's it as in not working on my WIP ever again. I just feel that it doesn't even sound like the original story anymore with all the rewriting. I'm glad you are staying your course! Good luck! [No camp for me LOL]
ReplyDeleteOh, those days are the worst! Don't you hate how things always seem so much less original and amazing once you've been working on it forever? Thank goodness giving it a bit of time and space seems to fix that feeling.
DeleteGah, I feel like I'm in the same boat with you right now, although my mind has been clearing up a little. But yeah, I've been struggling to feel confident in my writing, and I've been struggling to get stuff done. It's been effecting everything, my book reading, my blog reading, my blog writing, just, yeah. So I've been trying to catch up all around and get back into the swing of things before I go sightly batty. :P Hopefully you'll be able to pull yourself up by your bootstraps and complete Camp NaNoWriMo in grand style.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been planning on doing Camp NaNoWriMo in April, but it is tempting, and I am considering it. But only slightly, since I have a lot of editing and rough drafts already. So I'll see. If I join, I guarantee you it will be spur of the moment. :P
It's interesting, and also slightly frustrating, the way problems in one area affect everything else. I've definitely felt my editing problems expanding into other areas like reading and blogging. It's getting better for me, slowly, thankfully. But it's a big effort to get past it, isn't it?
DeleteUgh, I totally understand the editing and rough draft situation. I have about five million of those I really should be sorting out, but nope, apparently I'm off to write yet another book. Someone shoot me now before this gets any more out of control!