The Struggle to Write Again
Every time I pause writing to edit or publish or just survive life, I struggle when it comes time to start up again. It isn't that I don't love writing, I do. The flow of words, the creation of a world and people to populate it, the process delights and fascinates me, which is the whole reason I write. But, the process sometimes requires a grunt phase.
As I enter into the grunt phase right now, I have hit the "Am I writing the right novel?" question. Between the next Novel of Rhynan, Faith, and an old almost finished epic novel, Living Sacrifice, I am torn as to which to write/finish first. While I feel the pressure of wanting to get past the halfway mark in the Novels of Rhynan series, I am also feeling very burdened to finish Zezilia and Hadrian's story so I can get it "out the door" sooner. I feel like the Living Sacrifice story is intended for someone and I need to finish it and publish it so that person can read it.
So, I am planning on working on both. We shall see which pulls ahead first. Either way, I need to press on through the grunt phase where the words come awkwardly and the story comes in bits and frayed pieces that require more finagling than usual to get them to fit together smoothly. I will let you know how it goes. :)
-Rachel Rossano
As I enter into the grunt phase right now, I have hit the "Am I writing the right novel?" question. Between the next Novel of Rhynan, Faith, and an old almost finished epic novel, Living Sacrifice, I am torn as to which to write/finish first. While I feel the pressure of wanting to get past the halfway mark in the Novels of Rhynan series, I am also feeling very burdened to finish Zezilia and Hadrian's story so I can get it "out the door" sooner. I feel like the Living Sacrifice story is intended for someone and I need to finish it and publish it so that person can read it.
So, I am planning on working on both. We shall see which pulls ahead first. Either way, I need to press on through the grunt phase where the words come awkwardly and the story comes in bits and frayed pieces that require more finagling than usual to get them to fit together smoothly. I will let you know how it goes. :)
-Rachel Rossano
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Eliza
(new)
Jun 30, 2014 06:17AM
I know what you mean! I like being in the middle of several WIPs at once, but it's very hard to focus sometimes. My first novel, the first of a trilogy is coming out later this year but instead of writing the second one right away I'm feeling more passionate about a completely unrelated book. I guess the balance between writing what should come next and writing what you want to write next is different for every author.
reply
|
flag
Congratulations on your new book. What is it about? When does it come out?Figuring out what to write next is perhaps one of my hardest decisions no matter how clear cut it is. As you said, it is a challenge to balance what I should write with what I want to write. :) One of those no so nice things about being a professional writer. ;)
Thanks! It's a teen medieval fantasy novel about a demon-fighting girl who meets a boy she used to love but he's forgotten her. They chase after a murder suspect and fulfill an ancient prophecy together while trying to get to know each other all over again.I'm self publishing it this fall (doing last changes with my editor right now) you can see the cover on my author site: http://elizamariejones.com/
(I'm using a pen name, I'm still Stephanie on goodreads lol)
I know I should be working on the second book, but a stand-alone, contemporary paranormal romance about a girl who's a ghost-shapeshifter is taking up my imagination right now. This book should be out in spring 2015 if all goes well, I'm on draft 2 but it's a complete re-write not just editing.
Sometimes it is good to have a break before returning to the next book. :) I like the cover. Your main character looks like an interesting personality just based on that image. :)
Yes it does good to have a break. At the same time though, I have to review all my notes and read the first book again to remind myself who the characters are lol.Thanks! She's awesome (but I am a little biased).
I have an unfinished MS that I think I have reread at least ten times in an effort to finish it. I still haven't but at least this last read I have been getting ideas for at least one of the character's stories.
That's good. I'm glad you're starting to figure it out! I know the feeling.
