So. I’ve been having an existential breakdown slash breakthrough while you have all been doing productive things like write books and stuff. Here’s the thing, I have written two manuscripts. One of my goals this year is to query. So I became consumed with re-writing my first manuscript, again, in order to get it agent ready. I have re-written this MS many times now. And I still feel like I’m s-t-r-u-g-g-l-i-n-g to get the right pacing, plot, dialogue, voice…you get the idea.
But, I love this MS. It’s full of exciting characters, ideas and plot. And it’s Science Fiction. So uber exciting, you know with space ships and physics and mind-bending imponderables. A whole universe to build and explore.
But, again with the but, I have this other MS that I wrote for NaNo and I also love it. It’s contemporary and sweet and safe, and, well, ME. Here’s the thing, many other people love this one too. And when more than one of my Betas texted me in the middle of the night to say she had stayed up to finish it…I had a moment of clarity.
*I think *
Maybe I need to give my first MS a break. A well-deserved break. Maybe it’s too complex for a first novel. Maybe I need to change the POV again. Maybe I need to tweak the plot. Maybe I need to build a better world/universe. Or, maybe I need to take what’s working and focus on that. Maybe I need to build my NaNo and go from there.
What do you think? Have you ever shelved, top-drawered, back-burnered a book? I feel like I’m letting someone die. My husband says I can always go back to it, but can I? Will I?
What’s your experience?
*A call out to the Universe for help.*
It doesn't help that I'm reading this right now.
There is no law in the Universe that says you must finish A before you start B. Not in the writing world, at least. And even though book A rocks, book B rocks too (and kept me up 'til the late night, as you well know). If you aren't feeling it, do the one you love. In fact, I think this time in your life when you don't have an agent yet--take advantage of the flexibility and lack of deadlines and revel in the fun of it. Isn't that why you're writing in the first place? Book A will not be dead, it will be there when you're ready to rock it again.
ReplyDeleteIlima,
DeleteYou are so right. I do have the advantage of flexibility. I just need to focus on one project at a time. Thanks for your thoughts.
I'm trying to be better this year about commenting on blogs instead of lurking. :)
ReplyDeleteAnyway, congrats on finishing NaNo! That's awesome! I agree with Ilima, and I also say go with your gut. Which one sings to you right now? Because my guess is that one is what you'll end up working on more. And shelving one manuscript for a while doesn't mean it has to stay there forever.
Anyway, my two cents. Good luck with all your writing endeavors!
Jer, you're right. I might as well work on the one that I want to the most. I guess I just feel guilty, you know, like I'm cheating on the other one :)
DeleteThanks for de-lurking!
I have books that I've shelved and will never, ever see the light of day again. I also have books that I've set aside for months and months before coming back to them. I'm actually a fan of taking time away from books--it really helps me revise and see it more clearly when I have a break from it. So I would say work on the one that's really speaking to you right now.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!!
So this doesn't have to be a funeral? Thanks for your thoughts Jenilyn. It might be good to take some time from first MS.
Deletesometimes a break helps. sometimes it doesn't. just keep writing and see what feels right. I am actually (once I finish edits on the stuff that's due) taking a mini break from the book I brought to Big Sur to revise a diff. book I brought to a retreat this past weekend. Similar reason: my critique partners on the weekend loved this new project that I'd set aside for a variety of reasons. But don't stay away too long! That sci fi story needs to get finished and subbed!
ReplyDeleteThank you Joy for having faith in my Sci Fi. I heart it too. I am definitely not having a memorial service or anything...
Delete*wishing I were privy to your new project, sounds exciting*
I have no additional words of wisdom to share...these guys pretty much covered it. But I do want to tell you how much I believe in your writing. You are very talented and none of your writing will die! Keep moving forward where the muse inspires you most. XOXO
ReplyDeleteThank you, Katie, for believing in my writing! I'm happy to know that it doesn't have to die (unless I want it to).
DeleteIn my limited experience... well, I tried to put a book away once. I said 'That was fun, but I'm moving on, I want to do other things, I learned what I needed to learn. Bravo, me. Pat on the back.'
ReplyDeleteAnd then...
It wouldn't let me go. It called out to me. It cried in the night. And I tried to ignore it, but one day it exploded outward, and I was terrified because I knew that I couldn't possibly fix that story, but the story would not let me be.
"All right," I said, in effect. "I can't save you, but I will try."
And I sat down, and I re-finished it. Fixed it. Edited and edited and wrote thirty more pages of ending and a new beginning. Wept over it like a dying pet. Changed characters names, changed dialogue... etc.
Now it's done. And whether it sells or not, I fixed it in a huge way.
So... if you were me I'd say go ahead and put anything you want into a drawer. Anything that belongs there will stay there, quietly, like a bunch of my other projects that needed to be put away.
Anything that does not belong there will not stay there. It won't be able to. If you're like me - again, not an expert, but this is my experience. :)
Joseph,
DeleteI'm already experiencing this. It's definitely crying out in the middle of the night. It's in the drawer for now...but it's going to come back out.
BTW, loved: "Wept over it like a dying pet."
Hilarious.
Thanks for the advice. I think you're spot on.
Yikes, I don't know what to say because I am basically in the same place. I'm about to start querying my first complete MS in March, and in the back of my mind I am so excited to start my NEXT WIP that I'm already writing this one off as a failure-- before I've even started. It must be some sort of a defense mechanism, to prepare myself for the worst.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I don't know what I'd do!
Lauren, I'm totally with you. I have this theory: I think it's because we're artists, you know?
DeleteBeing creative is more fun than tightening the screws. So we dream of shiny new MSs instead of fixing the old. At some point, we have to dig in and work in the rewrites.
Right? (Sounds like I'm trying to convince myself)
Thanks for your comment Lauren!
I spent several years on my first novel and finally set it aside. Someday I'd like to go back to it, but I've got all these newer stories to write and rewrite. Good luck with yours whether you decide to rewrite the old or write the new.
ReplyDelete