(a) writers as a whole seem to be beset by loads of insecurities,
and (b) writers are incredibly supportive of each other.
Although I lurk on the fringes of these monthly discussions, I’ve never actually joined in the bloghop because, on the whole, I don’t feel a lot of insecurity as a writer. Frustration, yes. Longing for steadier sales, yes. Blockages when the ideas aren’t there and the words won’t flow, yes. Insecurity? Not so much.
I guess I’m either lucky or just plain weird.
But there is one kind of insecurity that hits me hard from time to time while I’m in the thick of drafting a new novel: Is this boring? Will it hold anyone’s interest?
I find this kind of angst strikes when I’m on a good streak, when I’ve spent some time hammering out words. I suspect it’s some kind of word fatigue, because usually, when I set the chapter aside for a while and come back to it later, I take renewed interest in it.
It’s not just chapters, either. This can happen with the whole novel. When I first started work on Tiamat’s Nest, I got some way in then hit this slump big time. I had to set it to one side for two-and-a-half years before I could pick it up again.
This kinda makes sense because I do fatigue easily. I work best in brief sprints of maybe half an hour at a time, regardless of how many or how few words I write in that time. I then need to take a breather, and usually need to do something unrelated for a while. If I spend too much time in a day writing, then my energy and productivity often drops off drastically and the anxiety sets in.
That’s OK while my writing time is restricted to a few brief opportunities around work and family, but can get frustrating when I have whole days with no other significant commitments - ideal writing time, you’d think. But making productive use of it can be a challenge.
So, now I’m in the early stages of a new novel and progress is good - ahead of the target I set myself back in July, and words are mostly flowing well. I’m currently following one major thread of the story through a series of scenes, but there are times when I come to it and think are we still here? I’ve been at this so long, surely events have moved on by now? This easily slides into - this must be moving too slowly. People aren’t going to read this.
I have to remind myself that time is misleading. A scene that took hours to write might only take a few minutes to read. And I’ve spent so many waking hours envisaging what’s going on before setting it down on paper, I’m already familiar with it and know what happens next. A reader will be coming at it fresh. It will all be new.
It will hold their attention.
Won’t it?
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11 comments:
It can seem like those pages are taking too long but a reader will whiz through them. And it's hard for us to read it like a reader since we wrote it and go into editing mode while reading.
And you don't have to be insecure to join us. Many post words of encouragement and advice each month.
Alex, that is what I do, wherever I can :)
Hi Ian - I can quite see how you feel ... I lurk on the IWSG - mainly because my blogging friends are in it - but not having a book nor one on the way ... it's a real lurk. Alex has said it right ... so you're on the publication path and happy with your journey - you can sort out and sift through what you need help wise - the rest are your story-words to paper. Well done though - I admire your tenacity ... yet you've learnt loads and will have lots to tell us in your books - cheers Hilary
Thanks for your support and encouragement, Hilary.
Oh, tell me about it! You speak the truth, Ian. I definitely suffer from the same sort of insecurity. Sometimes I feel like giving up because I just spent 3 hours writing pure drivel. But your instinct to walk away and come back later with fresh eyes is correct -- I've noticed this helps to put me at ease, a second reading with fresh eyes. The writing somehow always seems better the next day! :-)
David, I honestly think a lot of it is fatigue in the moment. Coming back fresh definitely gives a new perspective.
I do better in short bursts too, and yes, having too much time to write is intimidating. When I first started writing about 12 years ago, I thought I'd love to have hours and days for nothing but writing. Now, well, "fatigue" is exactly the appropriate word for it. I like the assessment.
I am glad to see the occasional lack of confidence has not stopped the writing entirely. Good luck to you Ian.
This sounds familiar. =) I'm rewriting my first complete novel, and it's JUST SO TEDIOUS. I find myself thinking along those same lines. But the reality is, the scene it took me two weeks to rewrite will be read in a matter of minutes. Period. Personally, I think you can't judge the race while you're running uphill. You have to wait until you're on the downhill before deciding if it's worth it.
Well, you can certainly vent any of your frustrations here. And use the monthly questions for inspiration if you have no insecurities or frustrations. :)
I always find my stories and writing so much better when I return to it later. I often laugh and say, "I'm good." But I never say that during the process. lol
YES. Yes, it WILL hold their attention. It can take us sooooooo long to get the right words down on paper and then to edit and edit and re-edit that we sometimes forget how quickly our end product will be consumed. It's kinda like spending all day preparing a five-course meal, only to have it gobbled up in five minutes flat. You're a fine writer, Ian. Never forget that.
Donna, I used to think that long empty days would be ideal, but turns out you can have too much of a good thing.
Crystal, I've never doubted that it's worth it, but climbing that hill can be a slog :)
Chrys, a bit of distance works wonders!
Susan, I can relate to the cooking simile, and thank you for your kind words :)
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