- Joined
- Oct 7, 2007
- Messages
- 896
- Reaction score
- 112
- Age
- 56
- Location
- Midwest
- Website
- remus-shepherd.livejournal.com
I tried an interesting experiment lately, and I think it's paying off.
My novel Chipper has been a long, slow slog. I wanted to get back to it in a big way after New Years, but I haven't felt the desire to complete it. I've been writing this novel and nothing else for over a year and I'm just sick of it.
As a lark, I decided to write a fanfic. I wanted to remind myself how much fun I used to have writing, and I wanted to write something that I didn't need to worry about sending to agents or publishers.
But while writing some fanfic, I also allocated some time to grind on Chipper. That gave me a surprise when I added up wordcounts one day last week. I had written almost 3,000 words in one day -- about 2k on the fanfic and 1k on Chipper, which is a lot compared to my recent output.
Writing fanfic is making me enthusiastic about writing again, and is thus also improving the output of my 'professional' writing.
That's an interesting side effect. I was wondering if anyone else had experienced it. When a WIP gets too onerous and you can't stand the sight of the manuscript any more, maybe it's time to write something silly on the side. Just to remind yourself how much fun writing can be.
My novel Chipper has been a long, slow slog. I wanted to get back to it in a big way after New Years, but I haven't felt the desire to complete it. I've been writing this novel and nothing else for over a year and I'm just sick of it.
As a lark, I decided to write a fanfic. I wanted to remind myself how much fun I used to have writing, and I wanted to write something that I didn't need to worry about sending to agents or publishers.
But while writing some fanfic, I also allocated some time to grind on Chipper. That gave me a surprise when I added up wordcounts one day last week. I had written almost 3,000 words in one day -- about 2k on the fanfic and 1k on Chipper, which is a lot compared to my recent output.
Writing fanfic is making me enthusiastic about writing again, and is thus also improving the output of my 'professional' writing.
That's an interesting side effect. I was wondering if anyone else had experienced it. When a WIP gets too onerous and you can't stand the sight of the manuscript any more, maybe it's time to write something silly on the side. Just to remind yourself how much fun writing can be.