My motivation is dehydrated.

I hear ya.

I felt sorry for myself for a bit, whined, ate some chocolate, put the offending book to one side, wrote something else, read a lot, went back to the damn thing and read it with fresh eyes.

Maybe it's the proposal that's at fault and not the book. That's certainly true in my case. Damn synopsis! Bah!

Is your agent also an editor? Do you really have to do as they suggest? I am anticipating some debate when it comes to my work as I doubt I will find someone who truly understands what it is I'm wanting to accomplish and some of my stuff may seem way out there.

If I don't find the right agent with the right editors, I could be asked to compromise too much and lose sight of the tiny nuances. I need the tiny nuances or I may as well not write.

I remember on another board, YA writers were complaining that their agents wanted edgier stuff, but they had been writing the regular YA for so long that they felt edgier would betray their readers and not only that, they didn't want to sign their name to something that changed their reputation.

I would be interested to hear what author's agents and editors have suggested in the way of major changes to their manuscripts.

Although I've never been asked to change my story, I think that ultimately, I would have to agree with the suggestions first and truly believe that they would improve the piece as a whole. When you can get to that place in your mind, then you will have the motivation to go ahead and polish it up. It might require some intense dialogue with the agent or editor and some compromise on their part for you to see the light.

I would also try some exercises, like the one where you kind of center yourself and turn around to find your character behind you, and have a conversation with them. Ask them about the changes and what they think. You might be surprised.

Excelsior said:

I firmly believe I've got a good WIP.

I also firmly beieve that I'm a competent writer.

Yet the fish (read: agents) aren't biting.

I'm facing yet another agent-advised revision of my mss, and I'm uncharacteristically stalling. I haven't typed a fresh word for two weeks. I should be jumping on the mss like a rabid gorilla, but... I'm just not. I'm second guessing everything and after disecting myself and the mss I just flat out don't know what to do.

I know this must have happened to others out there. How did you get over it?

/ pointless whine.

Click to expand...

Everybody goes through slumps where they don't feel like writing for a while. I haven't written more than 1000 words since I got back from Comic Con last week. It was actually a good convention I just haven't really been in the right mood to write. I think comic con overloaded my brain. So, I've been in "thinking mode".

I just take the down times as time the brain needs to refresh and help me see my stories from different angles.

As for listening to agents and editors about revisions. I listen to everything my agent says about my books and weigh his suggestions. Sometimes I use them, sometimes I don't. As for my editors (the people who are actually paying me for my books) I listen very carefully to their suggestions and comments. Some I implement others I won't but I will always tell them why I went the direction I went.

Ultimately you have to write stuff you want to read and hope others will want to read it also.

I had one who thought the one novel I sent was good but the character didn't have sufficient motivation. To me, his motivation is just fine. I'm moving on.

Read a "How to write" book.

I'm not saying you need it, of course. But the good ones are just plain fun to read. And they'll get you thinking about writing, and that's practically writing.

I'd recommend, like most people here, On Writing or one of the Elements of Fiction Writing series (especially Plot.)

I always read one in between drafts. Just keeps me going. I don't usually take much advice from them, but I enjoy rolling my eyes when I think they're wrong.

Motivation is a feeling, subject to whims.
Commitment is an action. You do it despite how you feel or don't feel.

Change it how you wish and see fit. It's your story, not his. I, personally, would not be offended by a suggestion of change, but as author I reserve my Right to Selfishness, which states quite clearly that "I will change whatever I feel like, so get off my back."

Maybe you just need a little time apart from your manuscript right now eh? Try not to stress out or think about it for a week or two then get back to it with more patience and fresh eyes?

If you're looking for a second opinion you could select parts of it and sample them for some folks here. I'd love to read it over and tell you what I think. You're a comic book reader so I feel obliged to lend a hand if I can. ^_^

-An

Excelsior said:

I firmly believe I've got a good WIP.

I also firmly beieve that I'm a competent writer.

Yet the fish (read: agents) aren't biting.

I'm facing yet another agent-advised revision of my mss, and I'm uncharacteristically stalling. I haven't typed a fresh word for two weeks. I should be jumping on the mss like a rabid gorilla, but... I'm just not. I'm second guessing everything and after disecting myself and the mss I just flat out don't know what to do.

I know this must have happened to others out there. How did you get over it?

/ pointless whine.

Click to expand...

My best advice (which might be lame, but it's late, so forgive me.) Breathe deep. You got it. Just step aside and give it a minute. Maybe you're drained, tired and need a break? (Doesn't even have to be a long one, maybe just lemonade out by the pool for an hour.) That usually helps me when I'm frustrated and don't want to work on anything at the moment.

VisionScript said:

Is your agent also an editor? Do you really have to do as they suggest? I am anticipating some debate when it comes to my work as I doubt I will find someone who truly understands what it is I'm wanting to accomplish and some of my stuff may seem way out there.

Click to expand...

There won't be much debate, because agents and editors aren't interested in debating -- they're interested in selling books.

As far as your question, is your agent an editor, if an agent doesn't have the same skills at recognizing saleable work as an editor, she won't stay in business too long. Both agents and editors make their livings by spotting books that will sell. They're not always right, but they usually are.

Have you read Stein on Writing, or Writing the Blockbuster Novel? Those are the two most useful books I've read on writing saleable fiction, and together they pretty much cover all the bases.

And by the way, agents have limited patience for authors who defend every comma. They're in business to make money, not to argue.

I took some time off from the bigger project and tinkered around with short stories and stuff that will never see the light of day; write something outside of your genre just to force yourself to think differently for a while. If all else fails, just take a break from writing altogether -- you sound as if you're burnt out.