What's On Your Mind About Your Writing?

[Nether]

Kinda debating whether, instead of querying 1 manuscript at a time, I should query several in smaller batches just to test if there are ways to improve the outcomes... granted, everything is so individual and decisions so personal that it either might not make a difference or be counterproductive. That and it'd be harder to stay organized. Then again, sooner or later I need to move from using MS Excel to manage my querying to MS Access, which should make managing data sets easier.

...although it's also been a long time since I used MS Access. And I don't have a copy of it. Granted, I guess I could explore free alternatives since, honestly, MS has changed most of its software pointlessly over the years to sell new versions.

Decisions, decisions, decisions.

 

[writera]

Having a lot of mini "aha!" moments as I try to figure out some of the denser and more complicated elements of my murder mystery WIP (all the hidden story that's running alongside the main story and explains all the clues and twists) but for every revelation, a new complication or convolution arises. It's like untangling a big ball of string - you make great progress, pull loads of strands out, but then they're all wrapped around other strands and you realise it's becoming all tangled up again, just in another part.

 

[PamelaC]

I haven't written a word of the first WiP since coming up with my new idea. I'm really not worried about this though. If I finish the first WiP, it'll get "trunked" and there's a possibility I could return to it sometime in the future, but I have kind of figured out that it has a lot of issues that will need complete reworking.

The think I've come to realize is that the first WiP developed as an idea for a fantasy world, some surface-level "interesting" characters, and a collection of "cool" conflicts involving magic and politics. What I always struggled with the most as I mulled over this collection of "stuff" for literally years and years, was figuring out the protagonist. I never could settle on who it would be. That's a pretty big issue! Whose story am I telling? I think that's why I wound up with multiple POVs. Sure, I have one that is the supposed "MC" of the group, but I never had a good connection with her. What's worse, she's been pretty passive in many ways. I mean, she makes decisions and does stuff...but the majority of the book (120k) has been about "stuff" happening TO her and her reaction to that stuff. She never really had strong goals or wants or needs or whatever. She had a kind of crappy life and vaguely wanted better, and she'd claim that she had to do something about it, but until things out of her control began forcing her away from that crappy life, she just...existed.

My new protagonist is very much alive in my mind and I just love her to pieces. She is much more fleshed out internally and externally and the story revolves around HER instead of her being kind of dropped into the story as a default placeholder. What's even weirder is that I must've changed the name of the protagonist in my first WiP about a dozen times. I could never land on anything that truly fit (probably because she didn't seem "real" enough for a name at all). The last name I gave her is the one I've given my new protagonist in the new emerging book and it absolutely works perfectly.

It's like that character was trying to get out and tell me her story and it had nothing to do with the fantasy world and what-not that I'd created and dropped her into. She's much happier in the new story. It's HER story.

 

[Sage]

Although I do believe it is important to struggle through to the end of novel to get the experience (IIRC, you mentioned that you've never finished a full draft of a novel), if you are completely certain that the old WIP will get trunked and are really inspired by the new one, I say go for it. Just make it a priority to continue to the end on this one, even after it loses its shiny newness.

 

[PDXYZ]

I'm taking a break for the rest of today and maybe tomorrow. I'm nearly to the middle of Rev. 1, and am just now starting to see what all the blather's about. I rather like the direction things are taking, and am enjoying spending time with the characters. Writing about fictional lovers is certainly more pleasant than reading about the real characters populating the news these days. This past week I've driven myself nearly crazy burnishing precisely 750 words (actually 740 to allow for slop) for the Beta Project 2025. My 150-word teaser is still half-assed. How do people do these things?

Now I gotta figure out how to post this stuff. Maybe I won't be taking tomorrow off after all.

 

[Sage]

My 150-word teaser is still half-assed. How do people do these things?

The hook is totally the killer. Because you get 250ish for a query, but I think the gal who set up the original BP didn't want people to stress about making a real query pitch. But that missing 100ish words makes it so hard!

I always remind myself that it's not about writing a pitch like a query. All those query rules, throw them out the window, because all that matters is that you write something that entices someone to want to beta the novel.

One time I was doing a third book in a trilogy. I literally did a "Previously on Hero/Villain..." (thank you Buffy and Glee) for my hook because it was just too dumb to try to explain the third novel without knowledge of all the mess that led into it. I didn't mention a single plot point for the novel. I also included a list. But it had tons of voice and was the set-up for the novel, so it worked. Sometimes people will give feedback on hooks, in case you use it for a jump-off point for your query, but I think folks know that these are different animals, so whatever showcases your book so it sounds like something worth beta reading, that will work!

 

[PamelaC]

Although I do believe it is important to struggle through to the end of novel to get the experience (IIRC, you mentioned that you've never finished a full draft of a novel), if you are completely certain that the old WIP will get trunked and are really inspired by the new one, I say go for it. Just make it a priority to continue to the end on this one, even after it loses its shiny newness.

I think I probably need to force myself to finish the first draft of the first book just so that I can have that confidence boost. There's a lot less pressure surrounding that one now that I know it's not "the one" and that I'm just doing it for the experience. That's how I started it actually. I told myself it was just for the experience, just to practice, and that it need not see the light of day once complete. Being back to that mindset is liberating. I have a lot of what remains in that draft already plotted out, and even what isn't plotted has been bouncing around in my mind for a while now, so it shouldn't be too hard to finish up. I've envisioned the final scene since very early on, and that hasn't changed. And hey. It can be total garbage now because...who cares? Finished trash is better than unfinished trash, LOL.

I do feel like I've learned a lot already just in the process of writing that book, and finishing it will only give me more opportunities to learn and hone my craft.

I have a pretty good idea about how the new book will end as well, which is a nice feeling. I also know how it starts. And the inciting incident. And lots of other stuff. I think once I have it outlined to my satisfaction, I might be okay with leaving it alone and finishing the fantasy book.

 

[bretbernhoft]

This is an interesting thread.

What is on my mind, about my writing, has consistently been the following question,

Why is it taking months, eventually years, to research my current writing project?

Here's my situation; I have been researching "Technology And Human Consciousness" since August, 2024. So far accumulating over twenty thousand words of research notes. And not expecting to finish for another twenty four months.

Am I not committed enough to this project to move any faster? Or is the scale and personal significance of what I am hoping to bring together, worthy of this much attention, care and expense?

I am comfortable with the research phase of this writing project taking another two years. But I need to know I am being efficient with my resources, not wasting time, towards these objectives.

Can anyone offer me their perspective, on how to generally tell if a single writing project is worth years of effort?

All-in-all, I expect "Technology And Human Consciousness" to take four or five years to complete, before publication as a website and downloadable files. But everything is subject to change, thus I wish to be formidably effective.

 

[katfeete]

Writing-wise, I’m feeling a bit like the mole in a game of whack-a-mole. I struggled through last year, gamely putting in one or two hundred words a day — toddler progress, but progress… and then the election ground to a halt. About the time I got my mental health pieced back together, the holidays hit, with all their work-and-family related chaos. At last, after new year’s, I got the story picked up again, and by Wednesday I’d finished a whole 1800 word scene… and immediately got sick as a dog.

Three full days later and I’m picking myself up again, reminding myself where I am in the story again, struggling to remember the plan I had for the next scene before low-grade fever melted my brain.

Fingers crossed I can get in a few words before the next mallet comes down.…

 

[Nether]

COVID.

No, I didn't catch it. No, somebody I know didn't just come down with it (although plenty have). I'm just thinking about the millions of stupid ways COVID has impacted society and therefore influences stories.

Case-in-point? I have a scene where the love interest rests her chin on a palm and her hair almost droops onto her food tray. The problem? I just realized I was at the mall recently and I remember just getting a bag. Then I was thinking, "Do malls still even have trays?" And I was picturing it without. Obviously, standalone fast food places still use trays, but it feels like mall eateries (or the malls themselves) used the pandemic as an excuse to stop offering trays.

So now I might need to change that... even though internally, this part of the series is non-explicitly set in 2018.

 

[Sage]

I’m pretty sure I got a tray at the mall food court during Christmas shopping. I have definitely still gotten trays at certain restaurants.

 

[Mfraser]

Here's my situation; I have been researching "Technology And Human Consciousness" since August, 2024. So far accumulating over twenty thousand words of research notes. And not expecting to finish for another twenty four months.

Am I not committed enough to this project to move any faster? Or is the scale and personal significance of what I am hoping to bring together, worthy of this much attention, care and expense?

Take this with a grain of salt, since I'm not a nonfiction writer and don't know what I'm talking about, but why WOULDN'T it take months to years? Starting in August doesn't strike me as that long ago. I made my whole book up and it still took years to write

 

[Sage]

After years of imagining this one character with powers but not being able to use him, I am finally bringing in a variation of his abilities into my Sisyphus story. It's kinda cathartic.

 

[tusenord]

I'm at a point mood-wise where I kind of need to chat about writing to get started on writing... and then I started on a DIY project with fixing up an old bedroom door that won't close and is ugly-painted. So. Now I have something way to tempting to procrastinate with, on top of having a hard time getting started. Bad combo... DESPITE the fact I'm right at the point where my MC is torn down a brickwall and about to get killed unless he Does Something. (first scene... Not sure how to keep this pace up but I like high speed stuff - on paper!)

 

[Brightdreamer]

I'm at a point mood-wise where I kind of need to chat about writing to get started on writing... and then I started on a DIY project with fixing up an old bedroom door that won't close and is ugly-painted. So. Now I have something way to tempting to procrastinate with, on top of having a hard time getting started. Bad combo... DESPITE the fact I'm right at the point where my MC is torn down a brickwall and about to get killed unless he Does Something. (first scene... Not sure how to keep this pace up but I like high speed stuff - on paper!)

FWIW, sometimes projects like that can actually lead to creative breakthroughs, sort of like how one has epiphanies while cooking or shopping or driving to work. Painting in particular is the sort of repetitious task that can become white noise, allowing ideas to percolate. To badly quote Doctor Morgenes (The Dragonbone Chair, Tad Williams), relish the tasks that keep your hands occupied and leave the mind and heart unfettered.

 

[bretbernhoft]

...why WOULDN'T it take months to years?

I have never attempted to complete a writing project at/of this scale before. My perspective is limited to two weeks of research, for one writing project. Being the most effort I have invested in a single published piece to date.

Despite the scale, I am dedicated to completing my current writing project. I have intended to write about the subject matter for a long time.

Ultimately I am relieved others expect researching a significant writing project should take years. It is the ideal outcome or response to my original concern. So I will indeed take my time; I will put in the effort my writing project deserves.

To be honest, the research I am doing has become a regular, pleasurable part of my daily life. I look forward to researching, each time I sit down to do so.

The reason I asked for feedback in the first place, was to ensure I am not blind to the norms of more experienced writers. Especially in a community such as this one, where advice is freely given. Thank you for the insight and support.

 

[Woollybear]

On my mind about my writing is relief that the first three chapters were easier today than two weeks ago. Also conversely, that the first chapter is still wrong, ack. Oh well.

 

[Nether]

Ultimately I am relieved others expect researching a significant writing project should take years. It is the ideal outcome or response to my original concern. So I will indeed take my time; I will put in the effort my writing project deserves.

I'm personally not sure how long something like that should take. It might depend on the author's starting level of expertise -- ie, a professor who's taught the subject will produce something of quality faster than somebody learning the subject as they go long, and you'll have everything in-between. When it comes to prep-crastination, that tends to feel more easily identified in fiction.

Your situation is also unusual because you're doing all this to put together a website instead of a book. If it was a book, I'd say study enough to put together a query then start submitting to agents (albeit credentials are a big deal in that space).

The only issue would be if your research and project took so long that your findings wound up irrelevant.

 

[PamelaC]

Reckon I've fixed me up a little writin' place in my back room. Bought a wireless keyboard and mouse and an external, larger monitor for my laptop. Cleared off the ol' desk, put some candles about, got some relaxing cowboy music playin', and I must say it suits me just fine. I think I can get a powerful piece of writin' done in a place like this. Drinking some hot tea and thinking about gunslingers and horse doctors at present.

 

[Sage]

Ugh, I really just need someone who can read my three would-be BP hooks and point to one and say, "That one." Every time I look, I change my mind.

ETA: I think my problem may be that my favorite one is not necessarily the best one. I've also been influenced by QLH's desire for active verbs, which my favorite one lacks. But it might get better at the actual story. The others, while factual, feel a little misleading.

 

[Nether]

Ugh, I really just need someone who can read my three would-be BP hooks and point to one and say, "That one." Every time I look, I change my mind.

I'll take the case! ...although with the ginormous asterisk that I might not be the best judge of what hooks people.

And I'm also still gong through my BP hooks. Bunch of ups and downs with that. My version 1 doesn't start well, but ends okay. Version 3 might start already, but it peters off a little. I slapped them both together into a franken-hook and... it doesn't work and is a bit too long. Back to the morgue, I suppose, to dissect the hooks and stitch them back together.

 

[Sage]

I'll take the case! ...although with the ginormous asterisk that I might not be the best judge of what hooks people.

And I'm also still gong through my BP hooks. Bunch of ups and downs with that. My version 1 doesn't start well, but ends okay. Version 3 might start already, but it peters off a little. I slapped them both together into a franken-hook and... it doesn't work and is a bit too long. Back to the morgue, I suppose, to dissect the hooks and stitch them back together.

LOL, we can trade if you need a tie-breaker, too. I'm going to know who they all belong to anyway, and it's no secret which is mine.

 

[Mfraser]

To be honest, the research I am doing has become a regular, pleasurable part of my daily life. I look forward to researching, each time I sit down to do so.

The reason I asked for feedback in the first place, was to ensure I am not blind to the norms of more experienced writers. Especially in a community such as this one, where advice is freely given. Thank you for the insight and support.

This is a great community, and I'm glad you're enjoying the research process! (The topic sounds very interesting.)

Ugh, I really just need someone who can read my three would-be BP hooks and point to one and say, "That one." Every time I look, I change my mind.

ETA: I think my problem may be that my favorite one is not necessarily the best one. I've also been influenced by QLH's desire for active verbs, which my favorite one lacks. But it might get better at the actual story. The others, while factual, feel a little misleading.

There's always eeny-meeny-miney-moe?

The thing on my mind about my writing is that I need to get organized and stop procrastinating so much. School holidays are over (got very little done) and I've been slow to get back up to a productive level. Queue the pomodoro timer, my favorite crutch.

 

[writera]

Making a bit more progress in the fourth draft. Hope this WIP comes together soon. Back to thinking about titles. Might be a good sign.

 

[Chris P]

I'm getting to the point where I need to say "It's as good as it can get" and just get the current chapter done (it's non-fic covering 1938 to 1944) and stop trying to track down every single possible lead. I did last night find a newspaper reference that discusses the group I'm researching without naming them, and it was six months earlier than other references I have, and a year prior to what past researchers have found, so Yay! But some mysteries are going to have to remain mysteries.