I've past the middle part. And, as Anne Shirley would say, I am in the depths of despair! The middle does that to you every time. It's like I've buried my adorable, capable, and funny characters into a pit so deep, I'm not sure that--even with a little C-4--they'll be able to dig themselves out.
I'm going to be honest with you, I have considered chucking the whole thing. But then I remember that with each word I write I'm learning something about this book, its characters and its plot. And I might not learn it until I write it all. So I'm going to soldier on.
I spent the morning taking notes on what's working and what doesn't work and drew a timeline map, which I think will help a lot. Just a note, I did have an outline jumping into this but am realizing that I am a true pantster and like any pantster, pre-determined plots and outlines don't work for me cause I stray. Or, rather, my characters tend to stray. (Bad characters!)
Also, time travel is a bitch.
How are you all doing? I hope better than me.
This post was brought to you by salty tears and diet coke.
No chucking allowed! I've just squeezed out of that blasted middle and came out alive. It's so hard. And if Time Travel messes with you any more, send her to me, I've got a couple of good slaps in me.
ReplyDeleteI haven't had a diet coke for like, 5 days. Stomach flu detox. It's kind of weird.
Keep going, Emily. You'll make it through and with a shiny awesome novel to boot!
Okay. Fine. I won't chuck. But its painful right now. Argh. Why is writing so hard?
DeleteI always like to think there's no such thing as A Middle. Once the story started I just head straight to the end and skip the middle part. When I get stuck or disencouraged (still happens every time..) I freewrite a couple of pages, and start to remember why I loved writing again.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to you!
Irene,
DeleteYou are very wise. I need to remember why I loved this story and its characters in the first place! *slogs through*
What????? You can't quit! Call me...or send me what you have. You know my only talent when it comes to writing....is encouraging your writing. Love you!
ReplyDeleteThanks Daisy. I may just do that. For the rest of you, this is my awesome sister and she's a fantastic BETA reader and cheerleader if you ever need a reader!
DeleteDon't worry. I won't quit.
For all my talk of loving middles, I have to say, the middle of this book was really hard. I think the middle of Rowaness was a lot more fun because that's where most of the romance was. So, yes, I feel your pain! I'm glad we're all in this together because the plums are going to rock the writing world with our awesome Nano novels!
ReplyDeleteDaisy, you're the best cheerleader/beta reader ever! I'm so giving you my book to read when I'm done. <3
ReplyDeleteIt is challenging having even a loose plan (as I always do) and then even that being thrown out the window. I'm in the muddling middles too. Us and the rest of #nanowrimo, right? Keep going-one day you'll get to write the end.
ReplyDeleteAnd um, your computer is really nice, if you do decide to chuck MS, please print it first:)
Hey, I'm a fan of time travel, but I do also believe in a loose outline. I used to be a complete pantster too, but I've found having the beginning, ending, and three major plot points does wonders. I also plot as I go, keeping the next major point in my sights while progressing forward. Marissa Meyer (author of Cinder) said she's a total pantster too and ends discarding her first draft and rewriting her book on the second. Can you imagine that? Starting clean and writing the entire book over? Eek!
ReplyDeleteYes Crystal, you are right. I did have a loose outline, but it went the way of the dodo, unfortunately. I do know about writing entire books over, I've been there, done that. That's probably what I'll have to do with this.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good idea, though, to write to each major plot point. I have officially adopted that. Thanks!