It's that time of the month again, time for another Insecure Writers Support Group. Thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh for hosting this fantastic group.
Okay, this is an insecurity that usually pops up when I reach the middle of the novel (although I've been feeling it lately at the beginning when I'm staring into the vast unknown), what if this idea doesn't go anywhere? What if I'm excited about the beginning but then I realise that's the only part of the story that I'm actually excited about? All the time I've spent writing, working on the characters, on the backstory, on trying to put in some twists and turns and just come to the middle lag and realise the idea is a 'meh'. If I think it's 'meh', then certainly the people who take the time to pick it up and attempt to read it will also come to that conclusion.
Okay, so I could just give it up, toss it out, start a new. Yeah, like all those family dinners missed and missed housework (like that's a problem) will be all for nothing because I can't even be bothered to stick with the story. But here's also my problem. I can't give up my babies so easily. Yep, I'm persistent if anything else, and I usually spend so long staring at blank pages and then rewriting until the beginning chapters doesn't look anything like what I started with.
Today I actually found out a little solution to help keep motivated with the story, and it will also help provide characters with little twists that you didn't even think about beforehand. I'm writing a story based around a family of monster hunters and a girl with the ability to see (and feel) anyone's death with just a single touch. I don't know how many times I've rewritten the start just to find the right starting point, but today I thought I'd go and create a hunters journal from the perspective of my main character's older brother. I had only intended to write a short description of each monster with how to kill and a bit of character perspective, but instead I ended up writing an entire short story that takes place twelve years prior to the story's beginning, and this not only helped motivate me with providing me with possible storylines, but I've also got an interesting backstory for the brother being developed that I hadn't thought about before. Now I'm all stoked to jump into this story, and hopefully more short stories will also come out of it (I've still got lots of creatures to write about).
So, that's my big insecurity. What's yours?
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11 comments:
Great solution, Cheree. I've tried interviewing my character and that's helped. My biggest insecurity? Will I have enough time to write all the stories in my head.
You must keep writing! I want to read this story! Monster hunters - squee! Just plunge into the void, wade through to the end, then go back and look at what you've accomplished. You'll be surprised. And revising is when you address those saggy scenes and beef up that tension anyway. Don't worry about it while you're story is unfolding.
What a fabulous idea! Good for you for being persistent. When I get stuck, I brainstorm with my family - that usually helps me. I'm going to try your idea. :)
Hi, I too share the same insecurity regarding my story ideas. What if they don't go anywhere? What if halfway through I run out of enthusiasm, my muse deserts me or I start losing my grip over the plot. One advice I follow is to keep writing irrespective of what happens.
Rachna Chhabria
Co-host IWSG
Rachna's Scriptorium
You're thinking! And I agree. Anything story can come to life if we're willing to put in the work needed. And anyways, it's a lot easier than marketing something we're not passionate about. I should add I shelved my first ms. But I'm okay with it because I learned so much. Didn't get much sleep though.
That's one of my main insecurities. I get really excited about an idea, and think how original and wonderful it is, but then once I've started writing it I think I was just kidding myself and the idea was terrible. Mostly I work through it until I love it again :)
The concept of your book sounds so fascinating! I wish you were done with it so I could read it! lol I'm glad you found a way to get excited about your book, and writing short stories is a great strategy to build characters, plot, and to also generate interest in your book if you publish the short stories. :)
One thing that helps me not to get into a funk halfway through my book is developing a full plot before I begin so I can make sure the second half is just as good and exciting as the first half.
GOOD LUCK!!
Great ideas! Maintaining motivation is one of the challenges of writing a book - especially when your initial inspiration fades. I find that having a detailed outline helps, with all the main exciting parts highlighted. Glad you found inspiration - and got a short story out of it, too! :)
Sounds like you worked it out. Thanks for sharing. It's everyone's little successes that are making me feel so much better today.
You found your own solution! Sometimes ideas don't go anywhere, and then it's just good practice. And sometimes, we have to plow through to the end.
My problem? I'm great at novel beginnings and can't finish. Been thinking of sticking a bunch of beginnings together and calling it an avant garde novel.
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