I think one of the hardest parts about starting a new project is closing the door on the possibilities. That’s what I’ve been struggling with over the last few days.
I love my new project. I really, really love it. But, it’s a huge leap of faith to commit yourself to a whole novel. I read somewhere that you should make yourself finish every, single project whether or not you think it is going anywhere. Once you start, you much complete it because otherwise you will never have anything to publish at all.
This is something I try to live by. The process of wrapping up a novel, or short story is a huge challenge and something everyone needs to learn in order to be a writer. Moreover, I’m sure that with each project every writer reaches a point when they burn out on their work or lose faith in what they are doing.
From what I can see, successful writers push through this no matter what.
Therefore, by beginning a full novel I commit to months of work, countless hours writing, followed by countless more hours revising. Don’t get me wrong, beginning any piece is thrilling and one of my favorite things in the world. I love the entire process. But, when it is stretched out in front of you like that, it can be a bit daunting.
Status: I decided on first person! I started writing the first scene it it. It’s snappy fun and has a bit of dead pan humor, which I’m excited about. I’ll continue to outline and come up with scenes. I’ve probably got the first two and a half chapters worth of scenes loosely outlined. For me, that’s a victory!
3 Comments
June 12, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Good luck on your new novel!
I think for me the most important thing to learn was not to necessarily finish everything, but to know what I needed to finish and what I could let go. You’re absolutely right, if you never force yourself to finish anything nothing will ever be done, but on the other hand, sometimes I think you need to be able to let some things go to make room for better projects. That’s my two cents, anyway!
June 13, 2008 at 2:20 am
I think you are right. But I don’t think I’m at a point to make the decision to cut the chord quite yet. I need to learn from each project to the fullest extend and, for me, that means finishing.
June 13, 2008 at 11:13 am
I’m sure some of the best works were projects that an author started and stopped and came back to, maybe even months and years later. Keep writing as it comes, no need to rush to the finish!