Yes... I'm still ALIVE but I think I'm riding some sort of emotional rollercoaster with my writing.
I've been TRYING (being the operative word) to write OHHN. One moment I'm stoked with it and start writing lots and the next I'm stumped and can't write more than two words. I think my problem is that there's something inherently wrong with the story. I REALLY don't wanna go back to the drawing board but at the same time, I don't wanna waste any more time on a story that is FATALLY flawed and I fear this one is!
After rereading an email from a writing friend, I suddenly realised that if I stripped away the complications my heroine has with her dependent mother, the long-distance barrier that will be between my h&H when she returns home and his playboy reputation, there's absolutely nothing stopping them from jumping into bed and/or having a HEA. There's no internal BELIEF about themselves that is stopping them from committing to the other. ARGH!! So first I had NO CONFLICT and now it's ALL external. Not doing too well here Rach!
So what do I do?! I've written 44k of a Superromance targetted novel (because until I hear back from the editor at Modern Heat, I was trying my hand at something different) and I think it has the bare bones of potential but it's gonna need a complete rehaul.
Do I scrap the lot and start afresh? Or try weave in?! Guess it's back to the drawing board.
Sorry for my rambles but I thought if I wrote a blog post, I'd at least have written something today and that's gotta be better than all the wallowing, I'm currently doing :)
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14 comments:
Awww Rach, sorry to hear you're on such a rollercoaster!
Why do you think the SuperRomance needs to be overhauled?
Rach, I've tried writing something here twice, but it keeps rejecting me! (sob!!) I was wondering if the heroine can't have some internal conflict because of the external. eg- she may be tired and wan and drained looking after her mother through one of her drunken binges who then mocks "you're never gonna get a man looking like that" It would give her deeply held insecurities.
ps - meaning the mother is letting her know she'll never leave her =)- and yay - it worked this time!!
Please don't give up, especially after all the work you've already put in.
I think every book has a point somewhere in the sagging middle where the writer thinks "this is awful and will never work". But if you can plough on past that point, perhaps by layering in something more in the earlier stages, then you'll get your mojo back and it'll be so worth it.
Hmmm - that's a tricky one because I know how much work an established wip requires, and I also know how alluring a shiny new idea is....
Ok - so it might be really hard work, BUT i say don't ditch the super - find a way to make it work (I know - easier said than done) whilst doing that one - maybe you'll get the rest of your story for your new idea?? Re the conflict - I like Mel's suggestion of the internal conflict stemming from the external.
I am with Janette and suggest trying to find a way to make it work. Internal conflict is the continual bug bear of us all, so it aint going to go away. Persevere and all will become clear eventually.
I'm with everyone else - don't ditch it yet! How much internal conflict does a Super have to have? Does it matter that it's mostly external? I know for Desire that the conflict should be mostly external.
Mel's idea with the mother though is definitely a good source of conflict. Self esteem issues could be a goer and maybe, if her mother is so dependent, that would mean your heroine wouldn't necessarily want to tie herself to someone else - ie a man.
You can do it Rach! Don't ditch. Maybe you just need a break from it for now. Sometimes coming back brings fresh ideas...or just brainstorm your heart away and something can come from that. We're happy to help with brainstorming I'm sure :) It just depends on what works best for you. Good luck finding the mojo.
No, don't give up!!! By now you must know your characters inside out - bet you can weave something in. Write through your angst. But I feel your pain - am currently bored to the back teeth with my pair.
It's all about the editing. The first draft is suppose to be bad it's how you edit it that matters. If it makes you feel better Rach I've been there, I'm feeling for you, but it's a lot of work to turn aside. It's finishing the book that's the challenge unfortunately, not starting :)
Thank you so much to everyone for your comments and/or ideas.
You are all right... I MUST push on with OHHN and make it sparkle! or at least finish it so I have something to make sparkle.
Thanks for listening to (reading) my woes :)
Sorry to come in so late - I'm glad you're still alive, that's always useful! But sorry to hear about the woes.
Good luck with the weaving, sounds like the best plan to me too :-)
Hi Rach,
I'm also sorry for coming in so late, but as you know I had so many problems with google lately it's driving me mad. lol
Don't ever ditch. You have proved your skills as a writer.
Ask the question why all the time. Perhaps, as it has been said, bring in an internal conflict that stops the heroing being with the hero.
Keep thinking about it when doing other tasks and I'm sure something will come up. Don't take the first thought, wait until you have about six to ten.
It is often the last idea is the best, and most dramatic.
Best of Luck,
Suz :)
You're a wonderful writer, Rachel. I bet the perfect solution will present itself in no time. Hang in there.
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