I’ve spent the last week toying with the first chapter of a new story. I’m trying to find my footing with it, and I’m not doing so well. It feels forced to me, like I’m not connecting with the characters, and if I feel that way, certainly the reader will also.
Part of the problem is that I hopped in the shower (my thinking tank) to work out the premise for this story and found myself completely captivated by something else entirely. I ended up spending about 4 days knocking out a four chapter partial, sent it off, and then sat back down to work on the stuff I’ve been paid to write. And it’s hard to switch gears when I’m itching to work on the other story.
Now, mind you, that’s not to say that I don’t love the story I’m struggling with now, because I do. But it’s a very different experience when the story pours out all by itself and your fingers can only try to keep up. The magic happens all on its own. When you’re pulled away from that–in the middle of that–it’s a bit hard to switch gears.
So that’s where I’m at. I think it’s just part of the adjustment I have to make as a full-time careerist author. I’m a very “in the moment” type of person, so it’s hard for me to: 1) sell a story and then have it sit for over a year before I can finish it, 2) work on a story I sold a long time ago. *g*
Hunk below! I think of him as Aidan from PLEASURES OF THE NIGHT!
Can you write on more than one thing at a time? When I’m being pulled by another story, I give myself permission to write it–but I limit the time I spend with it. If I’ve finished the pages I need for the contracted work, then I can swap over to the sparkly one!
on October 7th, 2006 at 9:21 pm
I agree with Jordan. If you’ve got sufficient leeway - delivery date-wise - with your paid book, you should crack on with the story that’s exciting you the most.
love
Wendy
on October 2nd, 2006 at 11:52 pm
I think you should try to bang out as much of the other story as you can. Keep going until you get stuck, then switch back to the book you’ve been paid to write.
on September 30th, 2006 at 9:08 pm