I had to give up a child this week. Not literally, of course. But, I had invested a certain amount of time and effort into a project and I had loved it in my own way.
It began months ago when I was struck with a wonderful (I thought) idea for another novel. I was already working on a manuscript when I had this epiphany. The new idea took up residence in my mind and stayed there until I finally set aside one novel and started working on another one. I was excited about it. I was convinced it was ‘the one”.
Months passed (because, after all, I have a full-time job) and I started stumbling. I still thought it was a good idea, I still believed in the premise, but I was having trouble getting my thoughts organized and onto paper. I knew the beginning and I knew the end, but everything in between kept jumping around. The first week of January, I decided the story was falling flat and I had to find a way to jazz it up, so I outlined it again with some major changes.
As soon as I started to go with the new outline I developed a bad taste in my mouth. It didn’t feel right. It went against the idea which had excited me in the first place. I dropped Plan B and returned to Plan A.
Several weeks later, I had to sit myself down and have a good stern talk with myself.
Me: Ugh! What am I going to do? I’m getting nowhere with this.
The more logical me: Sucks, doesn’t it?
Me: But, it was such a good idea! How come I can’t make it work anymore?
The more logical me: Do you think if you keep hammering away at it the story will get better?
Me: I thought so – at first – but now even I’m bored writing it. And if I’m bored, what about the people who have to read it?
The more logical me: Exactly. I think you’re starting to get it.
Me (in a whiny voice): But, I’ve spent so much time on it already. I really liked the premise. Do I have to just throw it aside? Do you know how hard it is to do that?
The more logical me: Sure. But, sometimes you just have to know when to let go. Do you really want to keep working on something that’s become tedious and boring? Think back to when you started writing. Think about what you liked about it. Wasn’t it fun? Wasn’t it something you enjoyed doing? Are you getting any pleasure out of this exercise now?
Me (hanging my head in shame): You’re right. I wrote myself into a rut.
The more logical me: So what are you going to do about it?
Me (straightening my shoulders): I’m going to set it aside and come up with a better idea.
As soon as the decision was made, I felt better. In short order, I worked up another idea and started a new novel. And, guess what? I wrote more in one day than I have in the past six weeks. Even better, I loved every minute of it!
