I've just been taking a break.
My focus was off because of things in my life... mostly good things, but they still interfered. Life does tend to get in the way of writing; but sometimes what I've written gets in the way of writing...
I reached a part that was giving me fits! I didn't like the flow. I wasn't happy with the story line... it seemed to lag a bit. I want the important parts of these chapters to be more compact. The voice didn't match the rest of my ms. I was spending way too much time fixing little things, when I really needed to start over with that whole part.
I've been spending less time reading blogs, but still daily follow Susan's blog, A Walk In My Shoes. She has become a friend, offering me priceless advice. ...reluctantly, I might add. Not reluctant to share and to help, but reluctant to call it advice. Rather, she modestly says it's just her opinion. Susan supports my opinion to start over with this section. She's been in a similar spot, wasting precious time on a part that just wasn't working.
It's so wonderful to have other writers to share with, and to glean from. If you're a new writer, I encourage you to follow not only the blogs of agents and publishers (though much priceless information is freely given there) but to also follow blogs of other writers... people that have been where you are, that can offer opinions to steer you around the roadblocks that can sometimes cause a new writer to give up too easily. And don't just limit it to writers in your own genre. All writers have common problems and solutions.
Hopefully, when you've found a few blogs to follow that you can relate to and learn from, you will be able to ask questions and get good sound answers. Just because the current problem you're dealing with is not a current topic in Blogville, doesn't mean you can't ask it in a comment form, or even e-mail it to the blogger. The people I've met through blogs are eager to help ,and to develop friendships. Even though there are infinite great books that talk about specific topics concerning the craft, feedback from other writers is priceless.
It's hard for me to think about tossing such a huge section of my WIP; but if it's not working, what good is it? So any day now, I'm going to go back to the outline process for this section, and add more structured detail to keep me on track. I know what needs to be in there. That's all that needs to be in there. Once I establish my direction, my words should again flow as they did in the beginning.
As I get further along with my book, I do plan to join local writers' groups for the face-to-face support they offer. But, in the meantime, I'll meet up with the talent right here in Blogville. And Susan... thank you for everything!
9 comments:
Thanks for the kind words, Lily. You mean a lot to me too. I'm glad you've figured out what to do to get past this issue. It will all work out. Yes, the words will start to flow again.
This was a very encouraging post. Writers helping writers. It doesn't get any better than that. Good luck with your rewrite!
Lily, I've missed you! Thanks for the update. I'm glad Susan has been such a support - she is so sweet, I can tell from her blog. A writer's group is a great idea too. Keep going. Just keep going. You'll get there.
Susan is a gem. And I still can't figure out how she finds all those amazing shoes.
Sad as it is, sometimes we do need to scrap a section and start from scratch. It's painful, but the results far outway that pain when we get it right the second time around. Good luck with it, Lily!!
I'm glad you didn't die. :) Welcome back.
Re-writing whole sections isn't fun, but the end results well worth the effort. As writers, we look to give the reader an enjoyable experience.
Bravo for your willingness to do the hard work.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Lily, I am still thankful that you still find time to visit my blog. I understand the situation, I will still follow and comment on your blogs.
AL
It sounds like you have a plan and that's a big part of any process. You also have a great group (reading the above comments) of like-minded bloggers for support.
I used to hate cutting out sections I had written. I didn't want to delet any of those precious words I had typed. EAch time I have to do it, it gets a little bit easier.
Glad you are back around. I personally have learned sooooo much from other writing blogs--everyone is eager to help and kind:)
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