What Do You Do When the Writing Stops?
Are you like me? You’ve spent a year, or two, or three working on your book. You’ve read it and re-read it; revised, corrected and edited it. You’ve had it looked at by proof-readers, beta readers and your most trusted friends. But, eventually, after all the tweaking and adjusting has been done, you just have to let it go. Whether you’re self-published or going the traditional route, eventually there comes a day when you put the manuscript in an envelope, or attach the file to your e-mail, and it’s gone, on its way to be published.
It’s the moment you’ve hoped and aimed for as you slaved away on your story, late at night while the family is asleep, or early in the morning before rushing off to work. Or, if you’re one of the fortunate few, this has been all that you’ve spent your time on, without the need for another day-job to pay the bills. Either way, it’s no longer in your hands. The publication date is set and the manuscript is at the printers.
So what do you do now, when you no longer have your book there to worry over and think about? You’ve gotten used to thinking of new plot points in the shower, or lying awake trying to come up with a better ending. You’ve actually enjoyed reading it over and over, snipping a little here, or adding a little there. But now there’s nothing more for you to do.
How are you going to fill those hours? Of course, you can spend time marketing and promoting your book. You can write blogs, review other people’s books, post comments on discussion threads that interest you. You’re so used to typing furiously away for hours, always looking for just the right word, that you take these temporary fixes where you can. But they don’t really fill the empty space in your day and in your heart, do they?
I suppose it’s a bit like when your kids move out on their own. There’s that sudden emptiness that fills your home. No need to cook extra-large meals for just you and your wife. One less bed to make each day. Nobody for you to ask to lower the sound on the TV. You've sent them off into the real world, and you hope you've done your best by them and that others will be kind to them and love them as much as you have.
If you’re like me, you’re too old to have other children. Those days are long past. But you’re never too old to start a new book. And, suddenly, there are no longer enough hours in your day…
It’s the moment you’ve hoped and aimed for as you slaved away on your story, late at night while the family is asleep, or early in the morning before rushing off to work. Or, if you’re one of the fortunate few, this has been all that you’ve spent your time on, without the need for another day-job to pay the bills. Either way, it’s no longer in your hands. The publication date is set and the manuscript is at the printers.
So what do you do now, when you no longer have your book there to worry over and think about? You’ve gotten used to thinking of new plot points in the shower, or lying awake trying to come up with a better ending. You’ve actually enjoyed reading it over and over, snipping a little here, or adding a little there. But now there’s nothing more for you to do.
How are you going to fill those hours? Of course, you can spend time marketing and promoting your book. You can write blogs, review other people’s books, post comments on discussion threads that interest you. You’re so used to typing furiously away for hours, always looking for just the right word, that you take these temporary fixes where you can. But they don’t really fill the empty space in your day and in your heart, do they?
I suppose it’s a bit like when your kids move out on their own. There’s that sudden emptiness that fills your home. No need to cook extra-large meals for just you and your wife. One less bed to make each day. Nobody for you to ask to lower the sound on the TV. You've sent them off into the real world, and you hope you've done your best by them and that others will be kind to them and love them as much as you have.
If you’re like me, you’re too old to have other children. Those days are long past. But you’re never too old to start a new book. And, suddenly, there are no longer enough hours in your day…
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June
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Dec 02, 2014 08:56PM
Good attitude! You are correct, the marketing doesn't fill the creative need. I miss my characters. I'll take some of your enthusiasm and begin my sequel. Thank you. Good blog.
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Thanks June. Our characters do tend to become so real that we miss them. Nothing like spending time with old friends and making a few new ones. Good luck with the sequel.
Sounds familiar, Gabriel. I thought, perhaps, I was the weird one in missing characters I had created. To me they were very real, these were people that talked back to me, wouldn't always do or say what I wanted them to do and at times felt like they had minds of their own. Having lived with them for so many months, I do feel drained when I finish a book and the feeling of emptiness lasts till the next idea takes seed in mind! Rather like life isn't it - it doesn't stop, it just goes on. I will sign off now as I don't do philosophical. But thanks for sharing your thoughts.
India wrote: "Sounds familiar, Gabriel. I thought, perhaps, I was the weird one in missing characters I had created. To me they were very real, these were people that talked back to me, wouldn't always do or s..."It seems that several people have had similar reactions. And the only cure seems to be starting on a new book. Off we go then...
Interesting thoughts. I actually missed my characters after I finished the first novel, which was a strange feeling, as I'd been writing for years at that point.Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this subject.
Glad you wrote about this. I think most writers experience this. I have found even if you are hired to write, the feeling is still there to some degree.
Excellent and provocative question, Gabriel. Thanks for asking.How could I not miss the six characters I lived with and loved since 1994? They took me to unexpected places in my writing. In trying to understand the lives they lived, I learned to accept human frailties and flaws.
One of the most exciting challenges in writing came early on when, about to take Amtrak across country, a writing instructor told me to find the sex life of one of the characters, a repressed procrastinator. For three days and nights, in my compartment, the landscape my only companion, I searched for the answer, which came like a dark dream, disturbing and inexplicable.
Another challenge came during the editing process this year when asked by my editor to search for the reason why another character, a narcissistic predator, remained in an angry and abusive marriage. This time information came from research and conversations with friends and professionals.
This search for understanding is what drives my writing. I took some time off for promotion, and now I'm back at it, creating a new cast of characters, characters who are constantly on my mind and hoping I can bring them to life.
