Here we go again. I'm happily writing my novel, go to sleep thinking about my novel, and wake up excited by a great new idea that has nothing at all to do with my novel. What's worse, this idea not only begs to be written down, but is spawning other ideas by the minute, and I'm pretty sure I'll soon have the whole outline of a deliciously tempting new novel in my trembling hands. This is especially irksome because my WIP is all but finished and the writing has been going smoothly. Now this 'great new idea' comes along to interfere with the flow. (It was actually inspired by the 'Expressive Compulsive Disorder' thread in the Lounge, so thanks a lot, WW )

What do you do when something like this happens? Do you follow your instincts; resist temptation and pray it goes away; or set your teeth and work stubbornly, blinkers on, on your WIP?

Ah, this is natural, Fredegonde! I always get the ideas for a new novel when 75% of the way through the current one. The trick is to write notes for the new one down, put it to one side with that satisfied "hey-I've-got-something-for-after-this-one" sigh and go back to finishing the current one!

Good luck!

)

A
xxx

I'm suffering badly from this at the moment - what I call the 'new' novel is now actually the 'old' one, in this sense. And yes, about 3/4 way through the first draft is when it strikes. I try not to be diverted from the WIP, just make a note about anything that occurs to me, maybe buy a few books if I see them, and collect bits of newspapers, and if I find I'm somewhere relevant, might have a wander round. But I don't let myself do the sitting-down-and-thinking-hard stage till the current one's well and truly put away or sent off. I actually think it does the new ideas good to be put on the back of the Aga to stew for a long time, ignored except for the odd bit of veg or bone chucked in occasionally.

And as the instigator of the Expressive Compulsive Disorder thread, I apologise!

Emma

Good grief! Mine is about 70% done, too. Is this the literary equivalent of a seven-year itch? You're right, it's good to have something exciting to look forward to after the WIP is finished, and it's certainly good that the idea gets to stew and simmer in peace. I just wish it didn't have to happen at this particular stage! Or be so insistent. Sigh.

I doubt I'll be able to get any proper work done until this initial frenzy has spent itself, but I hope it won't take any more than a couple of days. That's about the length of most of my infatuations, anyway...

Glad to hear I'm not alone, though!

You're definitely not alone! I'm currently in the exact same position myself. I do love the feeling of knowing that there's another project waiting in the near future, so I do pretty much as the others have suggested and keep notes, articles, etc. to one side and occasionally "treat" myself to a leisurely trawl through the collection - but only once I've achieved my set goal on the WIP for that day!

Is this the literary equivalent of a seven-year itch?

Yes, Fredegonde, I think it is and I think you should ask yourself the relevant questions. Just how happy am I with my husband? Just how attractive is this young man who's flirting with me? Should I hold on to a solid seven-year marriage or should I throw it all up for the chance of True Love? Maybe you need to spice up your marriage a bit. Hard to know what the right answer is really.

A.

Maybe you need to spice up your marriage a bit.

That's certainly working for me, though I'm beginning to think things have got a bit too kinky. I keep coming up with increasingly violent methods of killing my characters off, even ones who weren't supposed to die at all...