I'll admit it. I neglected my writing these last couple of months. Dun-dun-duuuuunnnn!!
It's not that I didn't want to write or that I was bored with my story. I totally and completely LOVE my story! I just didn't make writing a priority. Then after a while, I knew it would take some work to get back into the voice. Plus I was a little stuck on where to go next.
Last weekend, I finally sat down and read my WiP from page one. I've read that intro SO many times before and couldn't figure out how to make it better. But this time, I had a fresh perspective.
Suddenly, I could see the weak sentences and unnecessary descriptions. I don't know if I learned a lot from reading blogs and talking with my crit group (without which, I would be wandering through the dark with not but a name and an idea!), but it was great to finally see how to fix the intro that I felt lukewarm about. A little time away was just what I needed.
Guess what? I DID get back into the voice. I even started a new scene and felt good about it instead of thinking, "Well, that sucked. I'll probably just delete it." I also had a shiny idea about something that I didn't realize I was already doing but TOTALLY works with the plot. *victory dance*
I'm excited to get back into the story and write some more. Maybe I can even figure out how two characters are supposed to randomly meet each other in a totally believable way (this one has been plaguing me for weeks!). Or maybe the story will take a twist that even I don't see coming.
Today, I am a happy writer :). How are your WiPs going?
P.S. - I learned a new term today. I think I'm a mix between a pantser and a plotter. So what does that make me? A PANTYLINER! HA!
P.S.S. - Anyone else SUPER EXCITED to see Harry Potter this weekend?? Eeeeeeeee!! Maybe I should by my tickets now.
Hooray, you leveled up! I love that feeling.
ReplyDeleteI'm plotting my WIP. The last couple of days have seen me getting really excited about it. I think I found my new love.
A break is always helpful! Glad to hear your WIP is going so well!
ReplyDeleteI'm drafting one WIP and delaying editing another. But I'm excited about both, so I'm in a good place right now too!
Welcome back! So you must teach me these terms...cause I'm lost. Glad your getting back on track. Breaks are good and much needed!
ReplyDelete@Adam - "Leveled up" - nice! That's a great way to look at it. Congrats on the new story. That's exciting!
ReplyDelete@Heidi - Thanks! Wow, two stories at once? That's awesome and intimidating at the same time. Good luck!
@Mandie - Thanks! Do you mean pantser vs. plotter?
Sometimes all it takes is a little distance to help us see our work in a brand new way. I'm glad you're back to writing!
ReplyDeleteYay! Congrats! My WIP is slow going. I'm trying to work on my website at the moment and that takes a lot of time! But I hope to get back to it soon. Maybe I'll discover something new after my time away, just like you. :)
ReplyDeletePantyliner is a fantastic term! I think most people are somewhere in the middle like that. There are few pure plotters and pansters.
ReplyDeleteYay! I'm glad to hear you've got your story rolling the way you would like again. Very good feeling indeed.
Sometimes a break can be a huge help! Glad to hear your back at it! Wish I was there with you-- working on revisions and would love love love to be writing new material!
ReplyDeleteSaw HP, loved it! So sad it's over. :(
Hahaha pantyliner. That is really funny.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how taking time away from a manuscript can give us new ideas and a better perspective. This winter I was having mega trouble with my wip, and I took about a week and a half away and suddenly I had a whole new concept for it and I was really happy about it.
Good luck as you more forward!