wayfaringwordhack: (plot problem)
wayfaringwordhack ([personal profile] wayfaringwordhack) wrote2011-09-17 10:49 pm

Owning the brokenness

The manuscript I'm working on, the one I promised to finish a draft of by Sept 1st because I believed it was pretty sound--unfinished ending aside--is broken.

It is painful, but I must admit that my memory of a fairly sound draft does not match the reality. There is no way I can uphold my promise to Julien to have it submission-worthy by Nov 1, no way to meet my own standards in the time I have.  Especially since the story is not singing to me, not even humming. It sounds like an excuse to say that, to try to get out of writing because I don't feel hot, passionate, consuming story love. So many times I've read about the importance of showing up, of sticking with the story and pushing past any discourage sloughs of Blah. But. But.

I have so much to do, so many projects, and a baby who is a major monopolizer of my time and energy; and I think, why?  Why should I pursue something that my heart is not in right now?  Why shouldn't I turn my passion and my spare moments to working on something that brings me joy?

I promised, that's why. But when the black hole of no-inspiration-and-even-less-desire strikes*, that doesn't seem a good enough reason.

I told [livejournal.com profile] frigg that I should perhaps work on two projects simultaneously, only working on the "fun" project (WW2) after spending a set amount of time on the "promise" project.  Time, though, is in short supply.  Now I just sound whiny.

I just need to make time. And get inspired.

Anyone want to share how they get fired up about/deal with a project that has fizzled?


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* can a black hole strike? :P

[identity profile] mnfaure.livejournal.com 2011-09-17 09:06 pm (UTC)(link)
bwahaha. *looks*

As I was typing up the entry, I kept think of pro writers on deadlines, and my snarky self kept saying that I am not a pro (and probably never will be, so there). Snarky Self likes making excuses.

I actually thought the handy ol' procrastination/last minute save-my-butt activity would kick in and get the promised rough draft finished by Sept. Just like it kicked in and got all of those uni assignments done on the eve of their due dates. But no. Maybe because I didn't have a kid back then? :P

[identity profile] frigg.livejournal.com 2011-09-17 09:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Well yeeeees, but unlike those uni assignments you don't have to commit 10 hours a day to them, but maybe just 30 minutes? ;)

[identity profile] mnfaure.livejournal.com 2011-09-17 09:27 pm (UTC)(link)
10 hrs a day? Was i supposed to give so much time? >:}

[identity profile] frigg.livejournal.com 2011-09-17 09:32 pm (UTC)(link)
Bwhahahaha