I just finished major edits to my historical drama, PLAYING WITH MATCHES. I've been working on this story for evah. What started out as a labor of love is now just labor. You know how you can get so lost in the story of some books they feel like they're writing themselves? When you finally come up to take a breath, you know that THIS is why you write? Pure pleasure?
Yeah, this was not one of those books. Sometimes writing is just plain work. Sometimes you have to just show up and do it. That's why it's called a job.(I'm tempted to tie in some Olympic analogy here, but I'll refrain.)
I think PWM was once a pleasure, but I've just been at it too long, read it too many times. In the music world they call this Song Fatigue. I've got Story Fatigue.
Don't get me wrong. I think all the hard work, time and effort; blood, sweat and tears has paid off and I can't wait to show it off to the world. Really. I. Can't. Wait.
So, the feeling you get when you're done? Relief. Shock. Glee. And finally the warm fuzzy feeling you get after you drink a glass of wine.
Have you ever worked on something for so long and so often that the thought of going back into it just made you ill? Did you do it anyway?
I recently set aside my manuscript for almost two weeks because working on it no longer seemed fun, and I couldn't figure out where to go from there. I think it's normal for writers to feel burned out, which is why it's good to take a break. Once I took a break, it felt good to go back to writing, because I'd missed it.
ReplyDeleteI've had a few like that - and you grimly keep going back because A) you loved it once; B) it is still a good story even if you hate it now, and C) there is always value in finishing what you start, no matter how you feel.
ReplyDeleteBut it can be so, so hard sometimes!
I'm working on one right now. It's taking a break right now as this summer has been challenging to write with the kids. But hopefully we will get it done soon.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on getting your done and the best of luck with it!
I feel that way almost every time I have to write a term paper... And there is a definite feeling of euphoria when it's finally DONE! Hurrah for you for getting PWM to that stage.
ReplyDeleteMy first book was like that. But even that turned into a learning curve about the rhythms of writing and creativity.
ReplyDeleteI'm about to dive into the second draft of my newest book, and I'm so excited about it that I even marked it on the calendar. :)
I have. And... I put it aside. In some cases I've come back and been refreshed. In other cases I've never returned.
ReplyDeleteYay! I'm so excited to hear this!!! I love PWM--as you know--and I can so believe it's fantastic.
ReplyDeleteAs for your question: Yes! I had super story-fatigue over my book that's coming out in Dec. Guess what makes it go away? Readers loving it--LOL! :D Hang in there~ ((hugs))