Monday, May 27, 2013

Writing Hard(ly) in May pt 5

Day 23: Using the idea I got over the weeked, I was off to a good start first thing in the morning. Then, 450 words in, I realized that my awesome idea wouldn't work in the pov of the person undergoing the physical change I'd implimented. It's hard to be the pov character when you're unconscious for a couple weeks while the interesting stuff is happening. So I had the idea to switch the pov to a new character observing the change. Just over 660 words in I was staring at a page of "meh". The light had gone out. Story fail.

Day 24: I still like the seed I had started with yesterday but it needs a new pot to grow in. Using a secondary prompt, I'm giving it a second go. Blarg 200 words in and this isn't working either.

Day 25: Gave up on the not-so-awesome idea. Tried something completely different. That didn't work either.

I think I've reached the point in the month were my brain is too focused everything else I have going on. When I sit down to write, I play out the story in my head enough to find out that: a) there's not enough conflict b) there's no spark of life in it, or c) nothing really interesting is happening. At any of those points, my fingers freeze on the keys and I realize I'm wasting my time that I don't really have to write as it is and I should just stop for the day so I can get done what I really need to get done.

Not that I'm giving up entirely, but unless something really grabs me, I'm going to focus on getting done what needs to be done so I don't have to be up working until 10pm.

I've ended up with what I think are a handful of fairly good stories and two full revisions that will allow me to get a couple more submissions into my juggling act soon. Yay for that!

2 comments:

  1. Yeah, it's hard to write when there's too much other stuff you feel you should be doing instead :( Especially when good ideas seem to wither on the page.

    Your unconscious POV character - wouldn't be anything like being under anesthetic for an operation, would it? What if he was supposed to be under, but was actually (and rather horribly) aware the whole time?

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    Replies
    1. Hmm, that would be an interesting angle. I might have to play with that. They are undergoing major changes within their body, a sort of metamorphasis. It's one of those I can picture it all but I'm not sure how to get that all into the story because the POV character can't see it, and an outside character can't feel it. I do like your suggestion though. Thanks for getting the wheels turning again.

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