Have hit a slump in morale just three-quarters of the way through my third novel - partly because my protagonist is starting to bore me, partly because my fear of plotting is causing me to freeze up just as the action is supposed to take some major twists, and partly because that old mantra "You're only as good as your last book" has me terrified that this one is nowhere near as satisfying/focused/original/well written as the last one. This was *supposed* to be the follow up to an agent's request that I send her something new...but at the moment I can't imagine even a polished version being remotely up to the standard she's expecting.

What to do? Finish this first draft, then put it away until I can muster up enough interest to revive it? Let my inner critic have her way for once, agree that this is a rubbish project, and get on with something new? Oh, woe...

Finish this first draft, then put it away until I can muster up enough interest to revive it?

Yes.

Let my inner critic have her way for once, agree that this is a rubbish project, and get on with something new? Oh, woe...

No.

I think this is an absolutely classic place to have a downturn of your confidence (I had a bad bout of it a couple of months ago, also 3/4s of the way through). You've gone through the initial excitement of creating that world, but you're not yet in sight of the finishing line, and the fact that you've got to start pulling your plot-strands together and making them tie up properly is a golden opportunity for your inner critic to get mouthy. Telling you it's boring is another strategy of hers when telling you it's rubbish doesn't seem to be working.

But actually, the two options aren't completely incompatible. Would it work to finish it roughly - no pressure - plenty of time - doesn't have to be right, just finished, so the inner critic can take time off to be rude about someone else for a change. If the strands don't tie up, who cares, for now? Then put it away, do something else, and come back to it when you can see it straight.

Emma

I endorse everything Emma says. I think everyone, published or unpublished, gets crises of confidence and energy slumps during a project as long as a novel, and the 2/3, 3/4 mark is a classic point. I've felt pretty much what you describe with every book I've written, and the way I dealt with it was to 'write through' the dip. During those periods I have this mental image of myself walking in a snowstorm with my hood up and my head down, concentrating on just putting one foot in front of the other. I'd say keep going, MF, and you might feel very different in a few thousand words' time.

Thanks guys - wise words, as ever, and greatly appreciated.

I feel a bit of a wuss moaning about how hopeless it all seems right now - what good does it do? and who really cares? - but if it weren't for the fact that I've got freelance work to fall back on, I'd be starting to seriously wonder about this writing malarky! Yeesh, but novels have a beastly way of turning on you...a bit like a beloved child telling his parents, in a fit of rage, that he hates them

I'll finish this one - have set myself an end of January deadline, and my mantra is very much "don't get it right, get it written" - and then try to get a little space before going back to it. I hate the feeling that something has been a wasted effort...but am resolved not to let this one get the better of me!

"don't get it right, get it written"
- there's a lot to be said for that approach.

don't get it right, get it written

I love that!

However this would worry me:

my protagonist is starting to bore me

I think you need to address this. Is it because you're kicking against the traces, or because you have genuine doubts about your character? Is this why this novel isn’t so satisfying? And is this why you're stalled? Perhaps if you could get this character right you’ll be able to move on.

Dee

Very good point, Dee - I think the problem is si milar to one someone else mentioned recently: he's curently too passive. Not driving the narrative sufficiently. All that is going to change...I hope...butat the moment I think it's a result of feeling torn between plots and subplots; not sure where his attneiton should be focused, if that makes sense. In a way, I've lost sight of what it is he "wants"...either that, or what he wants has changed over the course of the novel!

What does your character really, really want to do? Have you talked to him about it? Does he feel you're too restricting and you're not letting him be himself? Does he think that the plot you've given him isn't the one which lights his fire? If so, what would he do differently?

Sometimes characters can really come alive if you sit them down at your kitchen table (or wherever it is you chat to your friends & family), make him a cup of coffee (or does he actually prefer beer? If so, which brand?) and ask him (a) what one thing does he want to achieve in the next 3 months? (b) what one major past event does he regret?, and (c) who does he hate most of all and why?

Jot down his answers and weave them in. And Emma & Kate are right in that everyone goes through a bad novel patch during each novel - you have to know when yours will come (mine come at 30,000 & 60,000, regular as ruddy clockwork) and work round them. When I get to that point, I put my character in a sex scene. It may not get into the end product (but hey it usually does ...) but hell it cheers me up!

Go for it!

)

A
xxx

Great advice, Anne...

Yes, that's brilliant advice. Shall definitely arrange a "chat" with him - I praticularly like the questions that you suggest!

He's a bit young for a sex scene (hm...16 years old in 1915 Russia? maybe not?..) but I'm sure there must be other ways to bring him in line. Shall definitely give it a try.

Many thanks!