I finished the novel yesterday. I had to turn down a game of Scrabble with my husband to do it, but hey, we all gotta make sacrifices (besides, hubby usually kicks my tush in that game).
But while I lay in bed last night, it hit me that there was something missing from the last 1/4 of the novel. This book is structured differently than anything I've ever done before, to the point that I've broken it into "part one" and "part two." Well, part one is solid - it's got the rising action, the major plot points, the black moment, and the resolution without resolving all the issues. Well, part two needs to resolve those issues - but it also needs to have its own black moment.
And it doesn't.
So I'm trying to figure out what to do.
I'm frustrated with myself for not seeing this sooner. I think I was so focused on "getting it done" that I ignored my writer's instinct. And now it's come back to haunt me. I couldn't get to sleep last night (not a good thing since today was the first day of school and I had to be up and at 'em!) because I kept running different scenarios through my mind on how to fix this.
This is what happens when you focus on deadlines and don't pay attention to the craft.
Lesson learned.
The writing journey is full of little bumps and detours that, in the end, make me a better writer. And really, that's ok. Life's lessons are not always pleasant, but that's how we learn and grow.
So I'm off to grow some more!
Have a great Monday...
But while I lay in bed last night, it hit me that there was something missing from the last 1/4 of the novel. This book is structured differently than anything I've ever done before, to the point that I've broken it into "part one" and "part two." Well, part one is solid - it's got the rising action, the major plot points, the black moment, and the resolution without resolving all the issues. Well, part two needs to resolve those issues - but it also needs to have its own black moment.
And it doesn't.
So I'm trying to figure out what to do.
I'm frustrated with myself for not seeing this sooner. I think I was so focused on "getting it done" that I ignored my writer's instinct. And now it's come back to haunt me. I couldn't get to sleep last night (not a good thing since today was the first day of school and I had to be up and at 'em!) because I kept running different scenarios through my mind on how to fix this.
This is what happens when you focus on deadlines and don't pay attention to the craft.
Lesson learned.
The writing journey is full of little bumps and detours that, in the end, make me a better writer. And really, that's ok. Life's lessons are not always pleasant, but that's how we learn and grow.
So I'm off to grow some more!
Have a great Monday...
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Hi Melissa,
ReplyDeleteSorry I haven't been around in an age. Come September I hope to be a regular blog-visitor again - I've missed you!
I hope your hubby's now recovered and that things are a little less hectic for you all - you've been in my thoughts.
Congrats on finishing the novel - you're such an inspiration, and best of luck with sorting out the black moment.
Love,
Sue :-)
Congrats on finishing! I'm sure you'll figure out what to do with the end of Pt 2 - at least you have something to work with now. You're an inspiration to me - working through all your adversity this summer.
ReplyDeleteGlad also to hear your dh is doing so much better.
They're not mutually exclusive. YOu simply have to gain enough experience to listen to your craft WHILE keeping to deadline.
ReplyDeleteSince this deadline is YOUR deadline, not a publisher's, you can still keep them separate and go back in your own time. But, eventually, you have to learn how to keep both awareness running at the same time.
Congrats!
Yay on finishing! Good for you!!
ReplyDeleteHey, look. "Getting it done" is really good too. There's nothing wrong with that. Now you have something concrete and tangible and almost complete to work with. You put it away to cool for a while, make a note of things you've already thought about, then go back to it.
ReplyDelete