What's wrong with me? Seriously. Why am I slumping? Do I not love my characters enough? Am I writing in the right genre? Should I be writing fantasy romance instead of fantasy adventure?
Really, though, I am in a slump. I don't know what is going on right now. I'm lucky to get a couple hundred words written. Maybe part of it is that life seems to have gotten somewhat in the way lately. Who knows. I just know that any day I actually do manage to sit and write anything it's only a little bit. I'm stuck in this one chapter. I want to get out of it, but I haven't been able to yet.
I'm also trying to figure out some logistical questions. Like how my MC will actually meet any of the new friends I've planned for her or keep her new friendship going with my secondary character's little sister. None of them will be in the same location. Sigh. Must figure this one out. Perhaps this will be yet another project that doesn't come to fruition.
How are you doing with your WiPs? How's NaNo going for those of you participating?
push through, my friend.
ReplyDeletepush through.
allow yourself to write junk just to bridge over to that writing groove again. then, later, you can always revise it.
at least, that's what I do :)
A deep breath helps.
ReplyDeleteAgree with Tess on the junk. Write. Just write. It doesn't matter what kind of garbage pours out, in there, you will find the good stuff.
Remember, the best writing out there's been re-written. Most of it, several times over, I'm sure.
So don't worry. Just write! I know you can do it!
I'm slumping a bit too, so I feel your pain. I'm going to try to do what the others suggested and just try to write whatever comes out.
ReplyDeleteDon't give up, you can finish the project. Maybe jump ahead and write a scene that you're looking forward to, then go back later and deal with the one you're stuck on.
BTW, you have a little gift over at my blog. :)
I second Tess. Push through. Just show up.
ReplyDeleteThere is no way to make it through to the other side if you don't.
I'm praying for you. Sometimes the struggle is worth it when you look back.
Sometimes writing chronologically or in chapter order is more suffocating than it's worth. Write what comes after what you're struggling with (even if it's just the end) and come back to this section later.
ReplyDeleteThough I feel I should add-- what purpose is the scene you're having trouble with really serving in your story? Is it pivotal? Is it necessary? I only ask because I've heard that scenes that are difficult for the writer are difficult for the reader, etc. So maybe it's in your best interest, and maybe you're stuck, because this scene doesn't really drive the story towards its natural conclusion.
I am hoping you find clarity soon, and I hope this helped at all... I hate being stuck.
Thanks, Tess. I think that's always a struggle. To just let yourself write.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Windy. I only hope I can find the gems for all the junk.
Roni, good luck! Thanks for the award! I may try that. We'll see what happens.
Tamika, Thanks so much. Means a lot.
L.T., I don't know that I could ever write out of chronological order for the whole book. And the chapter and stuff that I'm working on is all very important. No fluff here. (Well, maybe a little fluff, but there's very important stuff going on.) Thanks!
I love how you used slumping as a verb. That is so awesome! And keep going. Or take a day off. You'll find your way out of this slump.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry it's not going well! I say push through, or maybe try leaving that chapter and writing the next scene? Perhaps that will help you get out of your slump?
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
LOL. Thanks, Elana. I did write today but I don't think I've done much more than a couple hundred words. Don't know though because I haven't typed it out yet.
ReplyDeleteNatalie, welcome! Thanks for stopping by! Thanks for the encouragement. If I knew what the next scene would be I'd do it, but I'm sort of a pantser. Thanks!
I'm slumping at the moment too. Sometimes I pick one character and try stream of consciousness writing, go off on a tangent and see where it takes me. Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteYou've got options. I won't list them because the other commenters already have. I'll just add this.
ReplyDeleteTrust the process.
I've been stuck plenty of times. Sometimes I write thru, sometimes I just sit and think about the story and play out the options. Sometimes I work on something else.
I think it was Will Hobbs who said that writing a novel is like an act of faith.
Good luck. Just know that you are not alone.
Keep plugging away at it. A few hundred words is nothing to scoff at- it's still something. Maybe take a day or two to relax and just let your mind wander. You never know when an idea will hit you and viola! You won't be able to stop the words!
ReplyDeleteI'm slumping too. I spent 3 hours trying to re-write a one page scene. Aye! We'll get through it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, everyone.
ReplyDelete