When you're frustrated...

OpheliaRevived · Jul 15, 2009

Do you take a break from writing all together or do you start something else?

I've been editing a WIP and have become exasperated. I need a break. Is it a cop out to start another project? This would be a "palette cleanser", as it is in a totally different genre.

Also, have you ever written something and then realized that it needs a complete rewrite? (I'm talking different POV/scenes the whole nine yards.)

lucidzfl · Jul 15, 2009

I don't see why it would be a cop out. Plenty of people on here have said that they'll start another project, or revise an older project, or write a brand new short story and come back refreshed.

Why not?

Shadow_Ferret · Jul 15, 2009

If I'm frustrated I set the story aside for a while and work on something else. One story I didn't return to until several years later.

it's also a good time to read. You can never read enough.

MsGneiss · Jul 15, 2009

OpheliaRevived said:
Do you take a break from writing all together or do you start something else?

I've been editing a WIP and have become exasperated. I need a break. Is it a cop out to start another project? This would be a "palette cleanser", as it is in a totally different genre.

Also, have you ever written something and then realized that it needs a complete rewrite? (I'm talking different POV/scenes the whole nine yards.)

It depends on the kind of frustrated. Right now, I'm frustrated because my complete novel is in editor limbo. I can keep staring at my Inbox waiting for that magic email from my agent that will change my life, or I can work on another novel, and think about yet a third one. The second option seems better for my overall mental health.

If you're frustrated with your manuscript, it's totally cool to take a break and work on something else. There's no way that's a cop out. In fact, you're keeping productive, and writing, which is always the best option.

OpheliaRevived · Jul 15, 2009

Thanks! That makes me feel better about starting something new.

DMarie84 · Jul 15, 2009

OpheliaRevived said:
Do you take a break from writing all together or do you start something else?

I've been editing a WIP and have become exasperated. I need a break. Is it a cop out to start another project? This would be a "palette cleanser", as it is in a totally different genre.

Also, have you ever written something and then realized that it needs a complete rewrite? (I'm talking different POV/scenes the whole nine yards.)

Nope, not a cop out. I'm at the exact same place as you; I needed to take a break from the other project I have because I'd been working on it for three years and I just got burned out and frustrated. Another idea ambushed me and I've been pretty much obsessed with that one. It's also a different genre and different POV (1st person--and the first time I've attempted a novel from 1st person...eep).

I'm sure I'll get burned out on this one too but then I have my other project to go back to.

bagels · Jul 15, 2009

For me, it depends on what stage. If I'm currently in the writing phase, I usually force myself to push through, because I often find that it clears my head and gets me back into the grove.

If its in the editing phase, I leave it alone for a couple of days until I feel ready to go back. I actually find that editing other people's work and working out helps me get my head back in the game.

Alan Yee · Jul 15, 2009

OpheliaRevived said:
Do you take a break from writing all together or do you start something else?

Whenever I got frustrated working on the novel, I worked on one of my short stories instead. I guess that isn't helpful if you don't happen to write short fiction.

Also, have you ever written something and then realized that it needs a complete rewrite? (I'm talking different POV/scenes the whole nine yards.)

I think my novel is going to need major overhaul once I have a complete draft, but I don't think I'm going to need to start over from scratch.

myrmidon · Jul 15, 2009

It's definitely not a cop out and it can really be a palette cleanser, just be sure to finish something. That tends to be my persona kryptonite - finishing. But you can't do much with something that isn't finished. So make sure you get back to it eventually...otherwise you end up with a computer and filing cabinet filled with great projects at 50 and 75%...

I also second Shadow_Ferret - reading can be a great escape to give your mind a break, but also get it thinking again.

myrmidon · Jul 15, 2009

OpheliaRevived said:
Also, have you ever written something and then realized that it needs a complete rewrite? (I'm talking different POV/scenes the whole nine yards.)

YES. Unfortunately yes. I had to do an absolute overhaul - took over a year. But I was quickly rewarded with an agent - so that was a nice confirmation that it was the right thing to do.

KTC · Jul 15, 2009

OpheliaRevived said:
Do you take a break from writing all together or do you start something else?

I've been editing a WIP and have become exasperated. I need a break. Is it a cop out to start another project? This would be a "palette cleanser", as it is in a totally different genre.

Also, have you ever written something and then realized that it needs a complete rewrite? (I'm talking different POV/scenes the whole nine yards.)

Some people would scream in horror...but I would suggest jumping into some poetry. It lifts your limbs and makes you limber. It gives you a love for the word and the rhythm of words. I take a break every day right before I jump into my current WIP...but first jumping into poetry. It gives me a deeper appreciation of prose.

Phaeal · Jul 15, 2009

Palate cleanser. Like a nice red grapefruit sorbet between courses. A palette cleanser, I guess, would be turpentine. Ewwwww...

Though they both kind of, sort of work.

Just obsessing, don't mind me, oooh look, there's a chipmunk...

AJ Clare · Jul 15, 2009

It's never a cop out so long as you eventually finish something.

cwfgal · Jul 15, 2009

Phaeal said:
Palate cleanser. Like a nice red grapefruit sorbet between courses. A palette cleanser, I guess, would be turpentine. Ewwwww...

Though they both kind of, sort of work.

Just obsessing, don't mind me, oooh look, there's a chipmunk...

Ha! I was going to do it if you hadn't. Can't help myself sometimes. Though, like you, I found the original kinda worked in a way.

Beth

Ken Schneider · Jul 15, 2009

I can only write one story at a time.

So, I sit in front of the screen for two hours. I write something, or a I stare at the screen.

LittleFlowerLei · Jul 15, 2009

OpheliaRevived said:
Do you take a break from writing all together or do you start something else?

I've been editing a WIP and have become exasperated. I need a break. Is it a cop out to start another project? This would be a "palette cleanser", as it is in a totally different genre.

Also, have you ever written something and then realized that it needs a complete rewrite? (I'm talking different POV/scenes the whole nine yards.)

I know exactly what you're talking about. I usually take a break from editing every few days so I don't get so mad that I delete the whole project all together.

In fact, thats what I'm doing now!I edited the hell out of my other story, and am now waiting to find a beta-reader to do any last bits that I might've missed. While I'm waiting, I'm working on another project that I've become almost obsessed with :3

Fuchsia Flower · Jul 15, 2009

I started on something new last week as a small break between the second and third draft. Spent two days on the first chapter of a new book and after that I felt energized enough to set that aside for the time being and go back to my editing. So, um, it worked for me

AnonymousWriter · Jul 15, 2009

KTC said:
Some people would scream in horror...but I would suggest jumping into some poetry. It lifts your limbs and makes you limber. It gives you a love for the word and the rhythm of words. I take a break every day right before I jump into my current WIP...but first jumping into poetry. It gives me a deeper appreciation of prose.

Yes, visit us over at the poetry section if you like. Us poets do get lonely sometimes.

And poetry is a great way to find a reappreciation for words again.

If that's not your thing, take a break from editing and let your WIP rest for a while, and start some new, fresh idea that you can be excited about.

Cassiopeia · Jul 15, 2009

KTC said:
Some people would scream in horror...but I would suggest jumping into some poetry. It lifts your limbs and makes you limber. It gives you a love for the word and the rhythm of words.

KTC, gave me this advice and I have been following it. It does help to write poetry, it unlocks your frustrations and opens your mind to fluid writing.

Chasing the Horizon · Jul 15, 2009

I always have multiple projects started so I can switch between them when I run into problems. This hasn't kept me from finishing four books. YMMV, of course.

If I'm really frustrated I go watch one of my favorite movies for the ten-millionth time. That clears my head better than any of the other techniques listed on this thread, and only takes about 2 hours.

Matera the Mad · Jul 15, 2009

Six of one half a dozen of the other. I lay off and either do something else or write something else to loosen up.

myrmidon · Jul 15, 2009

Phaeal said:
Palate cleanser. Like a nice red grapefruit sorbet between courses. A palette cleanser, I guess, would be turpentine. Ewwwww...

Though they both kind of, sort of work.

Just obsessing, don't mind me, oooh look, there's a chipmunk...

Must be the artist in me taking over the writer in me. I have no other excuse.

K_Woods · Jul 15, 2009

I'm more of a watercolor person myself, so I don't think I'd be using turpentine. (And acrylics were always cleaned up with water, too.)

I've been spinning my wheels on the current WIP, so I ended up starting a new novel WIP (going to sandbox the first tomorrow). Which is an immediate sequel to the first WIP. And I think it's jumped genre, too.

But it is a palate cleanser, especially finding I can use the same POV structure with a different voice. (Not so much a palette cleanser, unless we're talking something relatively non-toxic. I have a three-year-old to keep in mind.)

myrmidon · Jul 15, 2009

K_Woods said:
I'm more of a watercolor person myself, so I don't think I'd be using turpentine. (And acrylics were always cleaned up with water, too.)

I've been spinning my wheels on the current WIP, so I ended up starting a new novel WIP (going to sandbox the first tomorrow). Which is an immediate sequel to the first WIP. And I think it's jumped genre, too.

But it is a palate cleanser, especially finding I can use the same POV structure with a different voice. (Not so much a palette cleanser, unless we're talking something relatively non-toxic. I have a three-year-old to keep in mind.)

Yeah, I've never used turpentine either. Just water for me.

Raphee · Jul 16, 2009

It's not a cop out. Sometimes that is just what you need.

As long as you come back to the main story and know it.

Also come back as soon as possible, else you danger losing the grip on the story.

When you're frustrated...

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In debt to AW