Post-novel blues

Marlowe · Sep 26, 2006

So, I finished the rough draft of Zombieland last week. I'm giving myself a break before I jump into the editing, just to clear my head, but that means I've gone straight into the slumpish feeling I get right after I'm done a major project. There's the terror of never being able to write again, so I jump into the first thing I can think of, only to have it die and for the terror to get worse; I've come to some sort of terms with that, but I'm still looking for ways to deal the dispersal of all that accumulated energy. I have a movie review site I might do something for, and I occasionally write for someone else's blog- but mostly, it's just this empty sense of, well, no longer being God over my own little world.

Just curious, how do you folks get the same thing? And how do you deal?

maestrowork · Sep 26, 2006

Gather new ideas... start getting excited about your next project. Better yet, start on your next book.

Marlowe · Sep 26, 2006

I dunno, I think my brain needs a few days to recharge...

EDIT: Actually, that makes me think of another, maybe more interesting question- how long do people usually go between books? I've never really had much faith in myself in that respect; I never know if I'm not pushing myself enough, or if I'm pushing myself too much, or somewhere in between. Do you (as in anybody at all) finish one thing and then immediately start in on something new? Do you take time off?

I remember going through a really rought patch right after I got out of college- I was working on a novel that died a hundred or so pages in, thought I was going crazy, and whenever I tried to write, I'd feel physically ill. I asked some questions on Zeotrope, and there was the basic, "Just force yourself to write" response. And I'm still not sure if that was right or wrong. I'm not even sure if the novel really died, or if I just lost confidence in myself and smothered it in its sleep. I'm more confident in myself now, but I still haven't figured out my process; if I had my way, I'd be writing novels (and, if I ever figure the darn things out, short stories) for the rest of my life, but I'm always terrified that just isn't a choice I can make. That there's some sort of mystical creative energy, and that I only have so much of it, and I just have to be patient for the next surge.

See, this is what happens when I'm not writing, I think too much.

Nickie · Sep 26, 2006

I can't say I ever suffer from this. When one novel gets finished, I'm already very busy working out the next project - or making entirely new plans!

Nickie

blacbird · Sep 26, 2006

My post-novel blues come mainly from the recognition that, once the thing is done, it's never going to see the light of day in publication.

caw

badducky · Sep 26, 2006

I don't quite understand your calling this thread "post-novel blues".

Until the book is sitting in your hand whilst you are at a bookstore signing copies, you aren't "post-novel". You are "mid-process".

One large task is over, and another series of large tasks lie before you.

If you feel burned out, recharge yoru batteries with short stories, and poems. What is this "taking a break" thing you talk about? I hope it's not catching.

Marlowe · Sep 26, 2006

badducky said:
If you feel burned out, recharge yoru batteries with short stories, and poems. What is this "taking a break" thing you talk about? I hope it's not catching.

By "taking a break," I mean, "not writing novels for a while." And I don't mean to say that I'm giving up on the novel, or that I think the work is over; more that I'm done the initial, heady rush of getting the basics on paper, and I'm trying to get a little distance before I rewrite.

Papa'sLiver · Sep 26, 2006

Since I also write screenplays, I never have much "down time", but I like to take a few months off between novels. I find working on a short storie to be very refreshing inbetween novel stuff.

badducky · Sep 26, 2006

Alright, then.

Carry on.

CaroGirl · Sep 26, 2006

Frankly, I'm always writing something. Even if it's not on paper or PC, it's forming in my head. Personally, I don't take "a break". That said, it's definitely a good idea to put your big project away for a while before you begin editing and rewriting. Distance allows you to approach the project with fresh eyes, as a reader might.

In terms of what to do in between, if you're not writing shorts or beginning a new project, do whatever you love to do but don't have time for when you're writing. Go for long walks, read, work out, play some tennis, shop, whatever you enjoy.

And good luck with your novel.

kuatolives · Sep 26, 2006

My enjoyment from writing is derived from the conveyance of an idea, not the implementation of the conveyance. ie I dont write for the sake of it. I have to have an idea I'm in love with or drinking, sex, video games, snowboarding, and motorcycles take priority over my time.

I waited over a year and a half from the completion of my last novel till I started writing the current one. Took me that long to find an idea I liked enough to make the trade with my time.

RG570 · Sep 26, 2006

I like to take a couple of weeks off from serious writing after I finish a novel. Then I take another two weeks or so brainstorming the next one. Sometimes I'll do a short story or two in between, but I do like having a bit of time off from it.

After my first novel, I jumped into another one, and it totally blew up in my face. I thought I had to start working on something else immediately, OR ELSE, but that idea backfired on me.

MidnightMuse · Sep 26, 2006

I've never experienced this "break" you're speaking of. I'm either writing, editing, revising, querying, planning, note-taking or writing.

I sometimes think of each stage as being a 'break' from the stage previous, but there's never a point I'm not working on - in one form or another - a story.

Thomma Lyn · Sep 26, 2006

Marlowe said:
...this empty sense of, well, no longer being God over my own little world.

Just curious, how do you folks get the same thing? And how do you deal?

I get the same feeling, but not when I've completed a rough draft. Instead, I get it as I'm nearing the end of my revise-and-polish process. It's partly the empty sense you describe, but it's also that ol' "Argh, gotta start the querying process soon... hack *SPIT* up comes that hairball." For me, that's the toughest part about being a writer: the pitching phase.

While engaged in the querying process, I begin brainstorming and making notes for my new novel. It comes in bits and spurts -- it's kind of a challenge for me to write and pitch at the same time -- but happily, I always get rolling again.

All kinds of things are good for time-away from writing: I enjoy long walks, cuddles with my cats, and "Free Bird" motorcycle rides.

Saanen · Sep 26, 2006

I get this too; in fact, I'm going through it now. For me it sets in after the rough draft is done and continues until I'm through with the revisions and can start the next project. I think it's a withdrawal from the steady creativity of flat-out writing. Revisions require a different set of skills and for me go rather slowly, even though I do enjoy revising.

Cat Scratch · Sep 26, 2006

I know what you're talking about--like breaking up with someone, you're not really into new people yet, but the "relationship" with the first person is over... Even if you're just between drafts there's a tangible mourning period that happens to some writers when the rush of that draft is finished.

Lots of people say to throw yourself into your next project, but that's easier said than done. As you've described, it's just not that easy all the time to jump onto the next idea and ride, espeically if your last project went well.

I can't offer a solution (in a fit of "clarity" after finishing my last draft, I decided to get pregnant, which was clearly extreme) but I do know how you feel. Try getting out of the house or pick up a new non-writing hobby (heh, like child-bearing) to get your mind back to work.

pdr · Sep 26, 2006

How about...

giving yourself a short time to mourn the loss of those characters? Allow yourself to miss them. Indulge in a wallow of sadness and treat yourself indulgently for a couple of days.
Then it's hey ho and off to write you go. Do a short character sketch or story set in a new world. Start thinking about new characters.
Then it's back to the editing.

Thekherham · Sep 26, 2006

I finished the first draft of a novel last week, and I'm putting it aside for a while before I get into the editing. But I'm not letting any grass grow underneath my feet; I'm already doing research for my next work.

I feel that if I weren't doing any writing after finishing a project I'd find it very hard to get back into it. It's happened to me before, so... not this time.

PeeDee · Sep 26, 2006

Well, Marlowe, I know exactly what you're talking about. My last novel was rough, and when it was finished I stopped writing for a few weeks (I'm just now starting up again). I had plenty of ideas and I wanted to write 'em, but when I sat down, I just had a gloomy sinking feeling. I knew to leave well enough alone and just let my ideas percolate longer 'till they were ready.

I was going to go the full six weeks before getting into the editing phase of my novel, but I find that the longer something of mine sits around the house, the more and more it rots until I don't like it anymore. I finished my novel close to four weeks ago (september 1st) and so I think I'm about to start the re-reading/editing phase. I think I'd better.

Meantime, I started writing a six-part serial story for a magazine and working on a really complicated and absolutely mind-bogglingly massive novel project that mostly just scares me. So, er, I guess I overcomphensated for the post-firstdraft-blues.

KTC · Sep 27, 2006

I always get the post novel blues. I am an off-the-cuff impulsive freak. I once cured this feeling by deleting all traces of the novel I just completed from hard copy and PC. Then I felt even more empty for about a month immediately following the novel dump.

I think writers should be whisked off to a three week vacation island excursion, all expenses paid, immediately upon completing a novel. (Whether or not they're famous or have a chance in hell of getting said novel published.) Closing the door on your darlings is a terribly excrutiating thing to do. It makes you impulsively crazy and depressed for days.

Manxom Vroom · Sep 27, 2006

I do feel a bit strange after finishing a novel, a bit like a man without a country. Rather than press on into the next major project I allow myself to rest, to replenish ideas. I keep several journals and I'm always working on those, but I've found that it's a mistake to push myself too hard, to always be working on something I hope to sell. I also love writing strictly for myself, things that nobody else but me will ever read.

Prawn · Sep 27, 2006

I am at 77K, aiming for 80K on my rough draft. I am debating the wisdom of starting the second book right away to capitallize on the structure and displine of the time I have managed to set aside for writing. I was thinking of starting the next book (which should be nice, a sequel, so not like starting a totally new project) AND beginning to revise my current WIP. I think doing both might be good. Would this be a cure for the Zombieland blues?

Marlowe · Sep 27, 2006

Well, nice to hear I'm not alone.

I think I've come to terms with things to work on in the immediate future; right now, my biggest issue is just the crash itself. Like, for the 50 or so days I wrote the rough draft, I was high, kite-style, plus since I was posting it online I got a lot of positive feedback. And now that's done with, and all of a sudden I'm having to deal with the fallout of thinking I was brilliant. It's not as painful as it has been in the past, and I think I'm mature enough that I won't completely freak, but it's- awkward.

Which is why I'm glad I found this place...

EDIT: I think a cure for my particular blues is going to be a few movie reviews and some satirical blog posts, Prawn, but I'm definitely looking forward to the editing. (And good luck!)

PeeDee · Sep 27, 2006

It is a good idea to start your next project when you're around 75% done with your current one, I think. I didn't do it with my current novel because it was such a big, awkward thing that it just occupied all the available space in my head until it was done.

But otherwise, yeah, get excited about the next project. That excitement will carry you through to the end of your first book, but it'll also carry you a good distance away from your first book for a few weeks, which you need.

brendao · Sep 27, 2006

I almost started this same thread at the end of June when I finished my first novel. I felt terribly depressed and alone, like I'd never feel that joy again because I'd never have another idea good enough to pursue.

Because of my mood, and the fact my kids were home all summer, I decided to take time off and enjoy the summer while doing a bit of freelance writing to make a little money. Meanwhile, I let my mind wander freely, thinking of characters and situations I might like to write about in the fall. Sure enough, my subconscious wanderings led me to a new project which I started earlier this month.

The time off was hard; I thought at times I might go crazy. But by the time I started writing my WIP, I had several pages of notes I'd jotted about characters, setting, premise, etc., so it's not as if I wasn't doing anything. And when I finally sat down to start, I felt like a racehorse being released from the gate. I'm so excited about this story and again seeing where my characters will take me.

I say *cliche alert* do what works for you.

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