Is it really trash?
There is a learning curve after all. Some projects serve to make us better at our craft, but should NEVER be allowed to see the light of day. Like that Lumberjack/Werewolf meets Vampire/Actress romance I thought about writing. If the project is indeed crap, it's okay to give it up or use it solely as a writing exercise.
Have I spent so long looking at it that I'm sick of it?
Every
product has a “sell by” date. When it hits that point, it's time to pass it on to someone else. Beta readers, writerly friends, proofreaders, and editors are there for that purpose. Though it makes me nervous, there's nothing more amazing than putting my story into someone else's hands. (And while they're at it, I relax, go shopping, catch a movie, or grab a sandwich and a frosty beverage. May as well enjoy myself while they're busy, right?)
Do I need a break?
Instead of going all ninja
assassin on my project, taking a breather and coming back to it with fresh eyes is a much better option. I
keep a number of back-burner projects, amazing books, movies, and other
entertainments on hand for this purpose.
Has my story has gone off-course?
This can happen to the best of
writers. For those who plot out entire novels, the journey may fall flat. And
for those like me who follow characters and plotlines to see where they lead,
sometimes we hit a dead end. At that point plotsers and pantsers alike can hop
right back in to do some substantial rewriting, ask someone for help, or yes,
scrap the whole thing. (Seriously though, don't
throw away anything. Just set it aside. You never know when that
scene, plot twist, or quirky character will find a home in another chapter or
another book. For instance, I'm dying to find a place for my sassy Vampire/Actress. Just not in a Vampire/Werewolf love story.)
As writers, we have to remember that we have a story worth telling and we are capable of telling it.Yes, the SuckFest happens. Probably not to everyone and definitely not all the time, but it happens to me. When it does, I take a deep breath, figure out what's wrong, and move forward accordingly. Wallowing in my own suckiness never changes anything. At the end of the day, we all must remember that we may produce crap writing every now and then but we are NOT crap writers.
Writerly advice is on tap, my friends! Marketing for One, Please, Expect the Unexpected, Ms. Etiquette Makes an Appearance, Ready or Not, Author Envy. Happy reading and thanks for dropping by!
Awesome blog post! I'm going to read it every time I feel rubbish about something I've created, written or otherwise.
ReplyDeleteGlad if it helps! We all fall into the pit sometimes. Remembering that it's only part of the process and not the end of the world will keep us moving forward. Thanks for dropping in!
DeleteGreat advice! I suffer from this all the time. Luckily, like you suggested, I've learned not to scrap everything and instead just set it aside for a while and work on something else. Often when I return to the project it's easier to see what I need to do to fix it. However, those moments when it's not working are very dark. Reminding ourselves that we don't suck is often a difficult task.
ReplyDeleteExactly, Heather! We can't quit every time something goes south. But we can redirect our attention and return to it. The occasional pity party with fancy-shmancy beverages is allowed!
DeleteThanks for writing this, Sarah! I was close to hitting the "delete all" button the other day, but am now hoping I'm just frustrated with this story I've been working on for what feels like too long. Hoping to pass it on to an editor next week to get another opinion!
ReplyDeleteGood! Sometimes we thing we and the project are a lost cause. We just need a little perspective! Even if it becomes a jumping off point for another story, it's worth your time.
DeleteThanks for this post, Sara. It's funny and encouraging. Yup, it happens to me over and over again. And the big "do I suck as a writer" question I have now is, do I have a second book in me? Can I do it again? What am I burning to explore? So, I think I know, but does the whole idea suck?
ReplyDeleteThat's the tricky part! I was in the same boat--completely crippled by my own doubts until I got a little distance from writing and my mind FILLED with scenes and idea! Now I have solid plans for book 3 & 4. Give it time! It'll come to you.
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