Cheating on your novel

The Lonely One · Oct 26, 2008

Have you ever cheated on your longtime partner (the WIP novel) for a quickie with a young, hip, beautiful 2,500 worder?

If you cheat on all the hard work you've put into old Betty for Veronica (Jughead!), will it ruin your relationship? Or is an open relationship the best way to avoid all those troublesome issues of guilt (e.g. - not submitting short stories while you work on "ta big one" etc.)?

So far I've avoided writing any fiction other than my novel since I started. But, unfortunately, I've thus avoided writing any fiction lately.

So waddyas think?

ChaosTitan · Oct 26, 2008

Writing a novel is not a monogamous relationship for all people. Sometimes you need to step out and have a quickie with a short, just to reload the batteries and stretch your cramped muscles. So you don't fall into the trap of avoiding writing altogether.

Shadow_Ferret · Oct 26, 2008

I'm a Gemini. So yes, even if I'm in a long term relationship with my novel, I still see other stories on the side. It's just my nature. In fact, and this is a secret between you and me, I'm starting to flirt with some poetry, too. Shhh.

Danthia · Oct 26, 2008

If you're a writer, it's because you write, not because you're working on any particular novel. If the urge hits you to work on a short for a while, run with it. The only time to worry about cheating is if you find yourself making up reasons not to go back to your WIP. That can indicate a problem, and you'd want to figure out what's up there. But if all you need is a break, nothing wrong with that at all.

I have a friend who needs to be working on a short and a novel at the same time. When she gets stuck on one, she goes to the other and it keeps her creative juices flowing.

Kalyke · Oct 26, 2008

I put mine aside for a while and had a fling with oil painting this past spring and summer. Now I am charged up to begin writing it again. I actually think that separate vacations can be good for a relationship.

Calamity_Jones · Oct 26, 2008

My WIP is possessive and manipulative. It controls my life and is very jealous when I do anything other than spend time with it. I just watched an episode of Heroes, and there it was in the back of my mind screaming "STOP PROCRASTINATING AND WRITE!" There is no escape.

astonwest · Oct 26, 2008

I often find myself stepping away from my novel to work on shorts, but they're usually related.

So, to take this into the analogy, I guess I'm having quickies with my novel's sisters...

Deccydiva · Oct 26, 2008

I wouldn't want to be without my own home cooking. However, I also enjoy going out to a restaurant from time to time.
Same with writing, I guess - the novel is the home cooking but it's good to "dine out" on poetry and short fiction as long as it doesn't take over... it wouldn't be the same then.

darrtwish · Oct 26, 2008

I don't usually work on shorts while working on my novel, probably due to the fact that I usually have a one-track mind and focus entirely on my novel. But I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing to take a break from your novel to work on shorts.

vixey · Oct 26, 2008

Thank you, Deccy, for taking sex off the table.

When I'm into a novel, I'm in a committed relationship. But, like Calamity, I feel it tugging at me.

I'm currently in between novels (waiting with baited breath for NaNo) and I'm really playing the field, checking out different genres, and looking for Mr. Right now. It's fun, but I'm ready to settle down.

ETA: Sorry, Deccy, I rerailed the OP's analogy.

MagicMan · Oct 26, 2008

Oh dear, I am in trouble. I have six loves, all demanding my attention. Being of different races, they keep every visit fresh. Oh what shall I do when one leaves our WIP relationship? I know, I shall seek another, even prettier and more vibrant.

Smiles
Bob

Adam Hammonds · Oct 26, 2008

Syphilis. I think I have it. I've got to end my addiction to one-a-day flash fictions.

vixey · Oct 26, 2008

Adam Hammonds said:
Syphilis. I think I have it. I've got to end my addiction to one-a-day flash fictions.

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*makes sure post is not too close to Adam's*

:roll:

Stunted · Oct 26, 2008

For the most part, I'm a one novel kind of girl...but every once in a while...

eyeblink · Oct 26, 2008

The Lonely One said:
Have you ever cheated on your longtime partner (the WIP novel) for a quickie with a young, hip, beautiful 2,500 worder?

If you cheat on all the hard work you've put into old Betty for Veronica (Jughead!), will it ruin your relationship? Or is an open relationship the best way to avoid all those troublesome issues of guilt (e.g. - not submitting short stories while you work on "ta big one" etc.)?

So far I've avoided writing any fiction other than my novel since I started. But, unfortunately, I've thus avoided writing any fiction lately.

So waddyas think?

Yes frequently - most recently, last week! And it was a 2500-worder as it happens.

My novel understands how fickle I can be, so it hasn't ended in tears yet.

I did try a threeway with another novel earlier in the year, but that didn't work out.

The Lonely One · Oct 26, 2008

vixey said:
Thank you, Deccy, for taking sex off the table.

When I'm into a novel, I'm in a committed relationship. But, like Calamity, I feel it tugging at me.

I'm currently in between novels (waiting with baited breath for NaNo) and I'm really playing the field, checking out different genres, and looking for Mr. Right now. It's fun, but I'm ready to settle down.

ETA: Sorry, Deccy, I rerailed the OP's analogy.

vixey --

Sorry about all the hormones floating around in this post! I hadn't anticipated the sexual analogy would carry to the point of mentioning STI's! Ah, no bother. All the more interesting?

Feathers · Oct 26, 2008

Honestly, I think it's good to write some short stuff during a novel. It prevents burnout and keeps your creative juices going. (I feel like I'm talking about skin cancer!) On a bad day, when I hate the scene but need to write it and nothing is flowing, I just stop for a little while and work on a really fun short story.

Multiple WIPs, now I see that as a problem. Very few people can handle it successfully. IMHO, you only end up quitting both.

-Feathers

cooeedownunder · Oct 26, 2008

I have a couple of lovers at any one time. Well, not at the same time although wouldn't it be great if you could do them both at once.

Phoebe H · Oct 26, 2008

The Lonely One said:
Have you ever cheated on your longtime partner (the WIP novel) for a quickie with a young, hip, beautiful 2,500 worder?

Shhh. I'm doing it right now. Don't tell her.

My novel is wonderful and all, but just once I wanted to be able to, you know, finish.

vixey · Oct 26, 2008

The Lonely One said:
vixey --

Sorry about all the hormones floating around in this post! I hadn't anticipated the sexual analogy would carry to the point of mentioning STI's! Ah, no bother. All the more interesting?

Ah...the innuendoes attract a greater response, no?

Shadow_Ferret · Oct 26, 2008

cooeedownunder said:
I have a couple of lovers at any one time. Well, not at the same time although wouldn't it be great if you could do them both at once.

We're um, still talking about writing, right?

:Wha:

cooeedownunder · Oct 26, 2008

Shadow_Ferret said:
We're um, still talking about writing, right?

What else would I be talking about

Yeshanu · Oct 26, 2008

cooeedownunder said:
I have a couple of lovers at any one time. Well, not at the same time although wouldn't it be great if you could do them both at once.

Right now I'm courting two lovers, one a long-time passion, the other a new passion. On November 1, I'll be throwing them both over for a month-long fling with a third.

For years I was so wrapped up with my first passion that I wrote very little else, but I was so bored with the first that I didn't do much with her (they're all hers) either. Since I started #2, I've been able to go back to #1 with fresh eyes and fresh passion, and both have benefited.

And yes, I'm talking about my novels... :tongue

vixey · Oct 26, 2008

I hadn't thought about NaNo as a fling. I like that idea!

The Lonely One · Oct 26, 2008

Shadow_Ferret said:
We're um, still talking about writing, right?

Wait, you guys were talking about writing?

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