Yesterday I picked up my WIP for the first time in four months.
There is a certain irony I’ve discovered about myself which I’m not really sure happens often to other writers. During my busiest moments when it was essential for me to focus my energy on my priorities, I found myself thinking about my novel or my short stories and feeling the need to have a look at them or write something down at least (this is not a good thing to happen the day before an exam, I assure you).
Yet when I think of all the times I was free and had nothing to do but procrastinated my time away I want to kick myself. Stupid irony.
Now that examinations are over however, I can now continue working on my MS without getting any weird writing itches.
Just for the record, I can now understand the advice some of you guys gave me last year about waiting awhile before editing. Looking at my current WIP after so long was a strange feeling. It was like reading somebody else’s story and I was experiencing a weird detachment to what I had written. As a result, mistakes and holes were glaring but I also found myself being pretty pleased about the particular parts that I enjoyed. Distancing yourself from your MS for a short while can be beneficial so I fully endorse it. 😀
NM :)
Ah, I know the feeling well… I write my poetry at work… and it relaxes me MUCH more than it does my boss… 😉
Ha! Well, writing poetry is far more fun than working anyways… 😉
Good point, Nisha! Btw, hope the exams went well 🙂
Most of it went well Greg, however in an ironic twist the most annoying paper was English Lit. Depending on my results I might just rant about it soon… 🙂
I quite agree! I started my Novel in 1999 and it’s been through so many changes. The most time it was left to simmer was for about 6 months, even now when I read it I worry if such and such is correct 🙂
I really don’t think any writer is completely satisfied with whatever they’ve written, no matter how many years of editing they do. And don’t worry Beasty I have your novel on my list of to-do’s for the weekend… 😀
Thanks, Beauty 🙂
It is essential, and I’ve done it several times – including right now with the query letter. It brings fresh perspective, and if one writes other things in the interim, improved skill.
Hope you finished the school year with a flourish!
Thank you Nelle, and good luck with your query letter, those things are never fun to do 😦
Fantastic to read you again. Good Luck with your results, although I am positive you will have walked it.
I miss you Michelle, hope all is well your side. 🙂
It is my darling, just very busy. We must not lose touch whatever happens.
Next to holding our printed book in our hands, looking at something we’ve written and saying, “Damn, that’s good!” is the best feeling, eveah!
OK, there’s only one Widdershins. Who is that ghost! Grrrrr
Okay Widders, what is happening here? Do you have a doppelganger????? 🙂
I am exactly the same! When you are too busy is always when inspiration strikes, when you have all the spare time in the world you just can’t summon the energy. 🙂
Yes, don’t you just hate it when you want to write and silly things like life and reality get in the way?
😀