I totally get it with the not-wanting-to-but-wanting-to thing. I'm sort of there myself right now though (thank goodness) I think I'm on the cusp of breaking out of it. And even if it feels dry and lifeless, just keep pushing through. It may be horrible and frusterating, but the important thing is to get it down on the page and remember that all of it can change later.
Maybe it's aggravating, discouraging, depressing to think of coming to the end of this huge manuscript and and having to go back into it, but that's what rewriting means, and rewriting really is the best part of writing. I've only rewritten a couple of short things, and already I can't wait to get to the end of a draft of ToCB so I can go back in and pry out the pretty from all the first-draft morasse.
And if you're worried about how much people will be willing to read, let me just say: Lord of the Rings. And before you say, "But that's Tolkien" let me interrupt and say yes, but it's also boring as watching shit steam at some points, and it's still The Classic. -waits for the mob to show up and kill her...-
-moves on- Your work is packed with interesting stuff; you're a really gripping writer, and I'm not just saying that. Your action is brilliant, your humor is fantastic, your dialogue is intriguing and fun. Basically what I'm saying is, it'll be okay. You can break it up if you want to. Your first reader can help you pare it down, if that's what you really want them to focus on doing. Concentrate on shrinking during the rewrites. It's all about the rewrites, love. -hugs-
I'm not going to tell you to be proud of yourself and that what you've done is amazing, because I doubt that would help you right now. We all have our personal writing issues; this one is yours, and it's going to be a battle getting through it and every time you think it's over it'll come back in some form or another to slap you in the face. Believe me, I know. But I think (surprise surprise) Sarah Monette put what we have to do a lot better than I can.
And if all else fails, take a break. Write nothing. Write drabble. Write fic. Give your brain a break, but whatever you do, don't move on to another project. Not yet. There's a book called Chapter After Chapter that might help you reorient yourself; I haven't gotten all the way to the chapters about the Sexy New Book Project and encouragement when you reach the midway stall, but if those chapters are as good as the earlier ones, it might help you to give it a look.
Writing is hard. Noveling is hard as hell. Keep trucking, love. Carry the moon all the way home.
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timeasmymeasure
-snuggles-
Date: 2007-06-18 05:44 pm (UTC)Maybe it's aggravating, discouraging, depressing to think of coming to the end of this huge manuscript and and having to go back into it, but that's what rewriting means, and rewriting really is the best part of writing. I've only rewritten a couple of short things, and already I can't wait to get to the end of a draft of ToCB so I can go back in and pry out the pretty from all the first-draft morasse.
And if you're worried about how much people will be willing to read, let me just say: Lord of the Rings. And before you say, "But that's Tolkien" let me interrupt and say yes, but it's also boring as watching shit steam at some points, and it's still The Classic. -waits for the mob to show up and kill her...-
-moves on- Your work is packed with interesting stuff; you're a really gripping writer, and I'm not just saying that. Your action is brilliant, your humor is fantastic, your dialogue is intriguing and fun. Basically what I'm saying is, it'll be okay. You can break it up if you want to. Your first reader can help you pare it down, if that's what you really want them to focus on doing. Concentrate on shrinking during the rewrites. It's all about the rewrites, love. -hugs-
I'm not going to tell you to be proud of yourself and that what you've done is amazing, because I doubt that would help you right now. We all have our personal writing issues; this one is yours, and it's going to be a battle getting through it and every time you think it's over it'll come back in some form or another to slap you in the face. Believe me, I know. But I think (surprise surprise) Sarah Monette put what we have to do a lot better than I can.
And if all else fails, take a break. Write nothing. Write drabble. Write fic. Give your brain a break, but whatever you do, don't move on to another project. Not yet. There's a book called Chapter After Chapter that might help you reorient yourself; I haven't gotten all the way to the chapters about the Sexy New Book Project and encouragement when you reach the midway stall, but if those chapters are as good as the earlier ones, it might help you to give it a look.
Writing is hard. Noveling is hard as hell. Keep trucking, love. Carry the moon all the way home.