I'm in between projects right now. I just finished my fourth novel and now I'm trying to decide which novel to write next. A lot of that depends on the kind of response I receive to the fourth one.
So, I've had to develop some patience. But it hasn't been easy.
Because I can't focus on the next novel just yet, I feel listless. I've been reading - I just finished Daniel Silva's latest thriller, Portrait of a Spy - meandering around the house a lot, writing down notes and ideas, watching a lot of classic movies, spending time with my hubby and my daughter, and generally being a slug.
A week of this is fine. I'm going on two weeks, though, and I must say, I'm tired of it. I need a writing goal to work toward, to motivate me, and since I don't have it yet, it's affecting the rest of my life.
You see, to me, writing is life. That is who I am. Yes, I'm also a mother and a wife and a lot of other things. But writing is my essence. It drives me. If I'm not working on the next project, I'm not a very happy gal.
I'm trying to enjoy this time off. Really, I am. But enough is enough.
It's time to get to work! Only...which project? Ah. This is the question with no answer. So until I do have an answer, I must be patient.
Patience is a virtue.
I just wish it wasn't such a hard virtue to attain.
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All right. Enough with the down-in-the dumps posts. I realized that I had way too many of them in the past few weeks and I am bumming myself...
Sometimes it's hard to switch gears like that, going from one project to another. Will you be querying Novel #4 soon?
ReplyDeleteJoanne - Querying is in process as we speak! I'm checking my email much too often...
ReplyDeleteI think if patience was a virtue easily attained, there would be a whole lot more saints out there.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if it's a trait of being a creative type, but life seems to have it's ups and downs rather than being more level. I feel the same way quite often.
Hang in there dear-it won't always be like this. Hugs:)
I wish you luck on a good response for the book!
ReplyDeleteIn the meantime, maybe work on some short stories or vignettes? Maybe that will spark the next project.
Valerie - You're so right. Life is about ups and downs, but sometimes, I'd sure like a more level ride! ;-)
ReplyDeleteBetsy - I should try my hand at writing some short stories just as a challenge to myself. I don't like them because I usually have so much taht needs saying that I can never confine it to a short story!
I hear you, gal. When I first started blogging, I thought maybe that reviewing other people's books and writing my blog might actually replace my other writing, but no way. I grew to resent what I was doing. I need to be working on my own manuscripts. Good luck on yours!
ReplyDeleteI would be the same as you and always seem to need to have a writing project on the go.
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ReplyDeleteI second Betsy...try some short pieces. I find short stories to be a huge challenge, and even though I'm not that good at them, they're great practice for word economy and really getting to what I need to say in a small space. Which has come in handy in the novels, actually. Whatever you end up doing, though, you're right...you need to be writing!
ReplyDeleteCatherine - Blogging can, indeed, take over our writing. I have to take a break from it every now and again. :-)
ReplyDeleteDebs - Kindred spirits! :-)
Christine - I should really do some short stories. It's been awhile since I wrote one and you're right - they are challenging and force you to really pick the right words.