Going insane

Deal me in, arainsb. I just kissed goodbye to a literary novel for which I had high hopes, and which, for a brief, shining moment in November, was being read by three agents at once--full ms. All three turned it down, and nobody even sneezed in its direction afterward.

So now I'm submitting a thriller, which one of those same three agents is reading, full ms. But nobody else is answering my queries. And what's worse, like you, I have voices in my head asking, "Why are you bothering? Nobody's interested." I'm trying to write another thriller, but, having finished the first chapter, the mental harpies are snapping at me. "It's not as good as the previous one--and you know, nobody's rushing to take it on." Or, "Is this story compelling enough?" Or, "All right. Decent first chapter. Now what?" And I find myself at a loss.

I think I'd feel better if another agent or two asked for a partial. Something. But I also know that if it happened, it would be like a happy pill--pretty soon, the drug would leave my system, and I'd be back where I was, particularly if I'd gotten rejected in the meanwhile.

Those voices are deadly. I did manage to write a thousand words yesterday (about half of them picked up from a previous version of the first chapter), so I have a little bit to go on.

Maybe that's what you need. Skip over the part that's hurting you and take the next section that appears afterward. See whether it doesn't feel so bad. Tweak it a bit, if necessary. Then go on, continuing to rewrite. Keep your head in the rewrite, and maybe you'll pick up enough steam to get you through this.

I hate mental harpies, though sometimes, if you can rein them in a bit they do help with cutting extra words and editing.

Do you write poetry? Short stories? Journal entries? Grocery lists? I usually like to keep busy with SOMETHING after I finish a WIP (though really, when is a WIP ever finished until it's published?) The trick for me is to have some thoughts ready for the next book, but not so many that I can't finish the current WIP....it's a fine line for me and one I'm barely succeeding in walking right now.

Feel better and good luck with your writing...

It used to really kill me. It's why it's not a bad idea to start your next project before you finish your current one. That way, when the ending sneaks up and passes you by, you're so caught up in your next project that there's no depression to worry about.

It's natural and short of writing through it, there's nothing you can really do to solve it. You had a rhythm and energy that was unique to the project you just finished, and you had become accustomed to that. Even now, if you start a new project, you'll have to find a different rhythm and energy and that takes time. when you eventually get there, you'll feel great, but it's not easy.

I would say it sounds like you might need to take a break if you can't get it going right away. Don' write anything for a week or so until you are thirsting for it, then come back with fresh eyes and attack.