Getting back to that "different place."

[readjdm]

A couple of months ago, I finished the first draft of a novella. I'm currently in the process of revising it for about the second or third time.

I enjoyed writing the end of this story more than anything I've ever written. I think this shows when you read the final chapters. It's like I wrote them from a much different place.

The problem is, I don't know how the hell to get back there.

I've rewritten the opening chapters and shown them to people. Everybody loves them. From a technical standpoint, I agree these rewrites are fine.

But then I go back and read the ending. And this makes me feel like my opening chapters are trash.

I don't think the start of the story needs to be as good as the ending. The ending is the payoff. It's supposed to be better. But I hit my stride when I wrote the ending. And when I say I went to a "different place," I can't help but think that "place" was the subconscious source of this story.

This makes me think the entire story should ultimately take place there. Am I wrong about this?

[icerose]

This is why early novels are generally your learning ones. Because you are learning how to get to that place.

Once you reach it in one novel it's a heck of a lot easier to get there in subsequent novels.

[WackAMole]

A couple of months ago, I finished the first draft of a novella. I'm currently in the process of revising it for about the second or third time.

I enjoyed writing the end of this story more than anything I've ever written. I think this shows when you read the final chapters. It's like I wrote them from a much different place.

The problem is, I don't know how the hell to get back there.

I've rewritten the opening chapters and shown them to people. Everybody loves them. From a technical standpoint, I agree these rewrites are fine.

But then I go back and read the ending. And this makes me feel like my opening chapters are trash.

I don't think the start of the story needs to be as good as the ending. The ending is the payoff. It's supposed to be better. But I hit my stride when I wrote the ending. And when I say I went to a "different place," I can't help but think that "place" was the subconscious source of this story.

This makes me think the entire story should ultimately take place there. Am I wrong about this?

Oh man! I am SOOO where you are with my current manu. *sigh*

[Mr. Funktastic]

I'm working on getting to that place as well, though I can't say I have any advice. I have a tendency to go through the work just writing, then I'm suddenly hit with this grand spree of words that feels natural.

Maybe I have to work my way into it? Like the prewriting is something a of warm up before I find this "place." It's the stretching and the slow jog before a long run, you know? Maybe for a next project, if my case is similar than yours, you could work on a side project as your warm up, then when you feel you've hit that "place," you go to your main WIP. That might not work, though... I haven't a clue.

Sorry for the babble, but that's just me, and I don't know if it helped at all. Best of luck.

[aliajohnson]

I've found reading a book that's similar to the feel I'm going for helps me find that place. I suppose it's different for everyone. Good luck, and if you find a magic bullet, let us know!

[Gillhoughly]

You're always learning and growing. Your writing will reflect that.

A novel I began 2 years ago is now ending up in a far different, deeper place than intended. It's gonna be a heck of a good read because my head is in a different place than it was when I started.

THAT is a good thing. Puters make a full rewrite very easy. I tweaked and tinkered the early chapters. They're better for it.

Fix your beginning; write a better, more mature story to lead up to your ending. You don't wanna "go back" since you're not that past person now.

I'll let you know one thing--not many writers get that.

High five!