1. Get up. Worry about second WIP (Work in progress).
2. Walk dog, get youngest off to school, do ironing. Worry about that gaping hole in the plot of WIP.
3. Rest. Worry about how long it’s going to take to finish the WIP.
4. Check in with fellow writers on social media and see that this is normal. But still worry about this damn second novel.
5. Sit in front of laptop, move things forward on WIP a little. Worry about that gaping hole and worry about the deadline some more.
6. Rest. Have WIP running through head. Worry about it a lot.
7. Family start coming home. Talk, do family stuff. Worrying about WIP.
8. Check in with social media because it might hold all the answers to what is wrong with the WIP.
9. Progress the WIP a little bit more. Still worry about that big plot hole and wonder if you are working on completely the wrong novel.
10. Go to bed and read a fantastic crime novel that has no plot holes, brilliant characters, and wonderful prose that you couldn’t hope to get anywhere close to achieving.
Oh, you capture this absolutely brilliantly, Rebecca!!!! And isn’t it nice to have things such as social media, family and of course canine overlords to keep your attention where it should be? 😉
Social media I think is a brilliant tool for writers. Can you imagine before it came along, just how lonely writing really was? At least now we can connect with like-minded people and people who understand how frustrating it can be. And as for canine overlords, mine definitely keeps me in check 🙂
Maybe scheduling a little less worry…?
I wasn’t even on the Internet when I first started writing. I’m so glad I am now.
Oh, no, now you’ve started me worrying…
It made giggle (as well as worry), but that is exactly what it’s like. Good luck, I’m sure the gaping holes are only in your imagination.
Yep, that’s about it. Well done, you’re a proper writer 🙂
If it’s any consolation, it doesn’t get any easier on book 3, especially your last point. Damn all those wonderfully talented writers! 🙂
I liked your take on the writing process. It’s so hard not to worry and compare ourselves to others. Social media is a great time sucker but fun and almost essential I’d say! Best wishes with your writing this month.
And that’s your mistake. The novel without the plot holes was once a mess too. Get over it and get busy girlfriend. Do this thing. :-p
Anna from Elements of Writing
Recently, reading Liam McIlvanney, Denise Mina, and Catriona McPherson (especially Liam McIlvanney, but I’m saying that’s genetics!) I sometimes stop, put their books down, and say to myself, how dare you presume you could possibly write??! Having said that, the latter two have several novels behind them…Rebecca did you do any creative writing courses before starting to write? Or have you just got stuck in? Be interested to know how important or useful you – and others – think they are.
And besides everything else, you write comedy. That was fun.
At least you have number 5 – it’s making progress!
Great post! You’ve absolutely nailed it. Encouragingly. I heard a small publisher talk about this the other day. He basically said that while writers always worry about their next book not being as good as their first, in his experience, writers get better as they go (even if it doesn’t get any easier!).
Good stuff Rebecca. My WIP has been stalled at chapter 35 for 2 weeks.
This is a perfect description of my life at the moment. Keep going – we will get there!