Has this ever happened to you?

[pjthompson]

You're writing along, minding your own business, when all of a sudden you can't tell if what you've written is original, too-too-ordinary, lame, or totally ridiculous. I have come up with a couple of "devices" in my latest chapter that make me much afraid that the ridiculous one may be true. But I don't really know what I've got. I just want to stop writing now, please.

So closing in for the kill on this story, but it's like bricklaying at this point. I keep waiting for the yay-i'm-almost-done excitement to hit, but it steadfastly refuses to hit. It's just going to be one of those kinds of books, I guess.

Comments

[kmkibble75.livejournal.com]

I hate that feeling -- I'll come to a dead-stop in writing and wonder, "Wait, is this complete crap? Or just partial crap?"

That's usually when I call it quits for the night.

The euphoria may wait until you are dead-done this book this time... maybe it's just very serious about making sure you do the work. :-)

[pjthompson]

It is serious. And I'm rethinking again whether I've written the middle or last book of a trilogy. I can't worry about that now. Onward!

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

I know what you mean on all three counts (writing the lame, wanting to stop now, and where the heck is that rush of excitement?????).

Hang in there. I know that's what I'm trying to do. :P

[pjthompson]

Yes, hang in there. It's what a writer does! I'll get there. I'm close!

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

*feels the closeness vibes!*

[handworn.livejournal.com]

I often encounter this feeling. My take on it is that very frequently, one has no idea and can have no good idea at the time whether that work was good or not.

The impression I'm beginning to get about writing is that talent is what writes the rough draft and skill is what you do to edit it later.

[pjthompson]

The impression I'm beginning to get about writing is that talent is what writes the rough draft and skill is what you do to edit it later.

Probably a fair estimation. I would add that obsession is also a key component in writing that first draft (or persistence, if you will). You have to need to tell that story in order to stick with it through all the down periods.