Ok, so I've been working on a new novel--but the problem is that lately, I just can't seem to want to continue writing it lately. It's not that I don't think it's a good idea, and I know how it's gonna play out--it's just that I apparently seem to have lost interest in it. Normally, I have a moral code that I never start writing what I can't finish, so ideally I would like to continue doing this story. But I just don't seem to want to continue writing it for whatever reason. Does that mean I've lost the passion for the story?

Admittedly, I am concentrating on finding an agent/publisher for my other book, so that's taking up a bit of time, so writing this is just another way of venting steam. Can anyone give me any advice for steps I could take to get back to writing this one? Or is this a sign to just forget it and start another one?

I think it is difficult to keep the passion for one book while touting another which you are equally as passionate about. Plus there are the knock backs one has to deal with as the rejections come it. I tink you just have to ride it out until you come to the end of the submission process, and then you can concentrate 100% on the new novel.


- NaomiM

There is a widely held belief that you hit the end of the honeymoon period around a third of the way through a new project - regardless of the length - and when you get there, you hit a wall that convinces you that everything is crap. I've know of one writer who says he still gets this even as he's approaching his 100th published novel! Maybe it's like actors/comediens and stage fright - it's just part of the job.

My advice: look your demon right in the eye, knuckle down and write the accursed thing. Otherwise, you'll find yourself in exactly the same position in 20,000 words time on your new project.

Just as a footnote, I should add that I definitely went through this stage with my last attempt at a novel. I had to force myself to sit down and take it one chapter at a time, because everytime I looked any further ahead my heart dropped and I found myself thinking, "what's the point?" But when I finished it, the buzz was worth it.

Right now, I'm in the clouds, as I'm only a glorious 300 words into my next project. Honeymoon-tastic!!!

Colin M

Yes, I'd agree with Colin that it could well be the fading-honeymoon stage. If you combine that with the fact that subbing takes a little bit of time but absorbs enormous amounts of emotional energy that can't then go into the new project, it can make it really hard to keep pushing on with it.

I'd guess that it's not that it's not the right project for you, just that the circumstances aren't ideal. If it were me (and it isn't) I'd keep pushing on, as Colin says, but also be kind to myself if it didn't go very fast, or I needed some time out. A bit like when you've been ill, and you're basically up and about, but you have to accept that it takes twice as long to get round the supermarket as it did before, and you keep wanting to crash into bed at ten.

Alternatively, if you think that this novel is really, really something important, but you just can't give it everything it deserves, then give yourself a break, write some stories or do some exercises or something which will help your writing but has less riding on it than there is on the novel, and wait till the novel is kicking you on the shins for attention again.

Emma

mmmmmm. Sounds like good advice. I think part of the problem before was that, when I first had the idea in my mind I was like "WOW! This is such a s*** hot idea!" But when I start writing it, all my good ideas seem to disappear. But I'm determined to finish this novel! Maybe I need to do something with it to make it interesting to me. Like--perhaps a few more nudity scenes? Or a dancing Koala Bear maybe? Ok, that's not really anything to do with the plot, but I can work round it. lol

Thanks for the tips guys.

I'm having the best ideas in the world when I'm half asleep or wandering through a shopping mall, but once that blank screen is facing me, it all goes "pop!"

Just to put my cards on the table here, I've only just sent out a final script to be read by my agent, only to be told that she can't read it before May (a month ago, I was told it would be four weeks, so I spent those weeks revising and missed the window - doh!). So I have a submission out there, and basically I've switched off. That book is as good as I can make it. If my agent doesn't like - no big deal. Hopefully I'll be 20k into this project not to get too tearful

Colin M

Funnily enough, I get all my best ideas from my dreams--the ones I can remember that is. Other time I'm watching a scene on TV or in a film and an idea pops into my head and think "wow, if I did a scene like that, that would be great." I did actually want to do a whole novel based on a dream I had (which could of ended up being one of the most disturbing novels ever), but I couldn't remember it.

Still, I think I got some ideas to help me get back into this story.

I'm having the best ideas in the world when I'm half asleep or wandering through a shopping mall, but once that blank screen is facing me, it all goes "pop!"

Which is why, eventually, I took to carrying a notebook: because you're always sure you'll remember, and you never do. It helped when I was given a moleskine; I'd never have brought myself to spend that much on a notebook but once I had one, I discovered why people do...

Emma

Every writer should keep a notebook, definately. I find most of the 4am scribbled down ideas not so hot in the cold light of day but now and again I find a gem.

On running out of steam: I'd advise you not to force anything. It will show on the page. Writing should be an enjoyable process and if you're not enjoying it, I think you have to ask yourself why. Don't get me wrong, I'm not disagreeing with any of the points made here, just illustrating another facet. I wrote 225,000 words of my draft novel and I can honestly say I didn't get bored once. Editing bores me. It's tedious, time-consuming, nit-picky, repetitive and when dealing with so many words, seemingly endless. But if I grind to a halt in a draft (and I have - I have 3 incomplete novels now) and don't feel sufficiently excited to proceed, I generally assume it's because I'm either not telling the story in the right way, have bitten off more than I can chew or not my own idea doesn't impress me as much as I thought it would.

On the other hand, you can talk yourself into things being a chore and then you're doomed, in my opinion. I'd take some time, let what you've done stew for a while, then come back and have a good old read through. You should know by then if you want to carry on or not?

JB

I'd advise just getting SOMETHING out onto the page everyday, despite the loss of interest, and when you've got a complete draft novel THEN you can start injecting the interest. I usually work this way. I think it's quite rare for a first draft to be a) entirely enjoyable or b) highly unique and fascinating - it's the hard work after the first draft that makes a novel into something more exciting. Or so I think.

Good advice nessiec. I'll give that a try. Thanks.

Ok, funny thing just happened. I got back to the book I've been talking about, having not written anything on it for over a week or so--and I just finished two chapters in one sitting! It seems that while I can't be bothered to write it most time, other times I just blast through it (though I think it's more a desire to finish it rather than actually make it good--though I guess that's what the first draft is all about).

Good news!

Sometimes I think just allowing yourself to know that you've lost interest means that you relax about it. And, of course, then if it really wants to be written, it'll come storming back...

I also know that the WIP, whatever it is, can seem to go dead or difficult on me, when it's actually that there's other crap going on which is nothing to do with writing.

Emma

Also, once I've actually finished the novel, I can then decide if it's still as good as when I first thought it to work on it, or then discard it if I feel it's not that great. But at least I'm writing again.

I had to go through that one project. I had the idea for a great book and it wouldn't leave me alone. It was great, original, groundbreaking...

it wasn't until I'd written the whole thing that I realised it was crap.