- Joined
- Oct 6, 2006
- Messages
- 1,191
- Reaction score
- 117
- Location
- In my head.
- Website
- www.requirecookie.com
(I do apologise for this, and mods feel free to delete/move if you wish).
I just need to vent. I just need to vent. I just need to vent.
*throttles manuscript*
WHY DON'T YOU WORK????
*throttles more*
My manuscript hangs around my neck like the rotting corpse of some unsightly bird. The stench distracts me from doing anything else. (It was a miracle I got my GN script done, but I digress).
I wrote a fanfic...four years ago? It was supposed to be a one-shot, I can't even remember the basis for the idea. Then I wrote another, and another, then it turned into a series, and gained a small fanatic cult of about a dozen.
I found I was using almost as many original characters as canon ones, so decided that I should turn it into an original fic.One four worldbuilds later, I have a 'verse unlike the original. (There are several elements you could map back if you really wanted, but it's really my own now). I like this 'verse, it works, I have lore going back to the literal beginning of the universe (most of it in my head, I don't have a 300-page story bible sitting on my desk).
I have a few standalone stories planned (this isn't a 16-book emo vamp series, more like Charles de Lint stuff where you can read it on its own, but makes a richer picture when you read all of them).
I do, however, have a certain set of characters where their stories are better read in sequence. And here, after many paragraphs, is my problem:
I don't like the first story. It's likely because all up I've done about 12 versions of it. Most of those involved cutting out the useless bits and tweaking the plot around - and changing it for the different world builds.
I never feel like this story is strong enough to stand on its own, and primarily, that's what I want it to be able to do.
I started to write another story, figuring that it if this beast was causing so much trouble, then just ignore it, and jump in feet first. (To use a comparison to TV, it's like coming in at the beginning of the 2nd/3rd season).
The stuff that happens before is important, but is stuck in limbo until I get this first book sorted out.
Ok, so this is getting "tldr" so I'll boil it down to a couple of questions:
1) If a story feels too weak, would the general assumption be that it is, or is this just fear? (Or a combination?)
2) Would it be ok to relegate it to the depths of my hard drive, write the "3rd season" story, and go back to the beginning at a later time, when I feel more confident as a writer? (And if anyone can think of an example where this has actually happened, please, please, please tell me).
3) Should I just burn it?
4) Should I, as this little part of my brain is suggesting, combine it with another plot, so that it gets a booster shot, and feels more complete?
(No, this isn't writer's block, this is writer's stuck, and I am admitting it freely. I'm still dabbling in other projects, so I'm not sucking on my thumb in a foetal ball while trying to solve this problem).
I just need to vent. I just need to vent. I just need to vent.
*throttles manuscript*
WHY DON'T YOU WORK????
*throttles more*
My manuscript hangs around my neck like the rotting corpse of some unsightly bird. The stench distracts me from doing anything else. (It was a miracle I got my GN script done, but I digress).
I wrote a fanfic...four years ago? It was supposed to be a one-shot, I can't even remember the basis for the idea. Then I wrote another, and another, then it turned into a series, and gained a small fanatic cult of about a dozen.
I found I was using almost as many original characters as canon ones, so decided that I should turn it into an original fic.
I have a few standalone stories planned (this isn't a 16-book emo vamp series, more like Charles de Lint stuff where you can read it on its own, but makes a richer picture when you read all of them).
I do, however, have a certain set of characters where their stories are better read in sequence. And here, after many paragraphs, is my problem:
I don't like the first story. It's likely because all up I've done about 12 versions of it. Most of those involved cutting out the useless bits and tweaking the plot around - and changing it for the different world builds.
I never feel like this story is strong enough to stand on its own, and primarily, that's what I want it to be able to do.
I started to write another story, figuring that it if this beast was causing so much trouble, then just ignore it, and jump in feet first. (To use a comparison to TV, it's like coming in at the beginning of the 2nd/3rd season).
The stuff that happens before is important, but is stuck in limbo until I get this first book sorted out.
Ok, so this is getting "tldr" so I'll boil it down to a couple of questions:
1) If a story feels too weak, would the general assumption be that it is, or is this just fear? (Or a combination?)
2) Would it be ok to relegate it to the depths of my hard drive, write the "3rd season" story, and go back to the beginning at a later time, when I feel more confident as a writer? (And if anyone can think of an example where this has actually happened, please, please, please tell me).
3) Should I just burn it?
4) Should I, as this little part of my brain is suggesting, combine it with another plot, so that it gets a booster shot, and feels more complete?
(No, this isn't writer's block, this is writer's stuck, and I am admitting it freely. I'm still dabbling in other projects, so I'm not sucking on my thumb in a foetal ball while trying to solve this problem).
). 
All the best with your writing. I'm sure you'll be able to wrestle it into submission. 
