Welcome to Insecure Writer's Support Group and its first blog-hop for 2015. This group meets the first Wednesday of the month and is hosted by Alex J. Cavanaugh. To visit the IWSG website, click HERE.
I was going to update everyone on what I was working on at the beginning of January, but as I sat back and looked at my projects, I realized I've stalled on them. Not because of disinterest, but rather, I have something rolling around in my mind that is wanting to get out. It's a story about a terrible time in a woman's life that almost took her life. Although I've jotted down ideas and a few scenes, I hesitate leaving my other work unfinished to begin working on this.
How do I work on one piece when my mind feels scattered and keeps going back to this new plot? Have any of you ever experienced this conundrum? I wonder if leaving work unfinished is okay? I can't seem to see the ending of the story I was working on. Perhaps if I let it sit for a while I can come back to it later with a better idea for the end. In the mean time, I can outline this new story and see where it goes.
After reading this circuitous post, can you see my dilemma? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!
Happy New Year, 2015!
Yes, drop it and move on to the next project. Make a note in your phone or calendar and return to it later.
ReplyDeleteHere's my link if you'd like to drop by :-)
Anna from Shout with Emaginette
Thanks! I like the idea of putting on my calendar to remind myself of it. See you soon!
DeleteAll the time!! It's like having diarrhea of the brain. I try to jot all the ideas down in a notebook and then work on the one that is most inspired in my head. Then go back to the other idea when it's done.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth: Ha! Diarrhea of the brain! I love that description. Jotting down the ideas is what I've been doing, but not knowing what to work on.
DeleteLeave the first project for a while and work on the new story, go where your enthusiasm takes you. After all, that's one of the joys of writing in the first place. While you're working on the new one the other one will simmer nicely at the back of your mind and when it's ready to come up again it'll let you know.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
www.readingwritingeverything-heather.blogspot.co.uk
Heather: I'm all for letting the first project simmer. I guess I needed a little push in the right direction.
Delete"Go where your enthusiasm takes you". What great advice from Heather! Love it.
ReplyDeleteBut it's taken me a long time to actually embrace that idea. Old tendencies to perfectionism would poke at me, making me feel guilty for "unfinished" projects.
Finally, I've only lately answered those pestering thoughts with: there's a time for all things; and... just because I CAN do something, doesn't mean I SHOULD.
Kinda gives me permission to choose, without guilt, if I want to let it simmer on the back burner and finish later, or just let it go as a learning experience.
Don't know if any of that helps at all, but it answers your question, ha ha!
Retta: Yes, what I needed was permission. My guilt from having unfinished projects was overwhelming me, but now I feel like I can set them aside and work on something else without brooding about them. Thanks!
DeleteKaren, don't let yourself feel guilty about setting something aside for a little while. This new story sounds like it needs to get put down on paper. Best wishes with it!
ReplyDeleteSusanne: Thanks for your encouragement. I've been making notes and will try to put it together starting today. A good outline is where I'll start, I think.
Delete