Burned the midnight oil on Sunday, then lit it up again Monday morning. So far, I am pleased.
It's a little daunting to know that I'm aiming for my Act II climax (which will also be the cliffhanger that carries us into Act III) by Thanksgiving. This point, it's all faith that these tangled bits of colored yarn will lead anywhere useful. But faith is part of the process.
Emotional Stages of Writing a Novel:
Infatuation: Like any relationship, we all start with that first rush of excitement. Based on anecdotal evidence, this rarely lasts more than 50 pages. After that wears off, mix at will:
Pride: Not just any old pride. No, I'm talking Luciferian Pride. Every word you write is pure gold. You're the shizzle, and you know it. Any old moment now, the world will lay at your feet.
This feeling is a lie. A tempting lie, but still a lie. Thankfuly, these days don't come too often. Not without chemical help...
Insecurity: The work's no good. Anything good you may have done, that was a fluke. Your words taste of ashes, and the light goes out of the sun.
This feeling is also a lie. Suck it up and keep moving. Tomorrow's another day.
Grinding: Most days are like this. Not too high, not too low, you just gotta have the endurance to keep putting in the work.
For me, these days are the challenge. It takes discipline to stick with the project and not chase after the next great idea. That's why I do 1000 words a day, like it or not.
Gethsemane: Every novel or graphic novel I've ever written has taken me through at least one long dark night in the garden. I'm pretty sure we all go through these. You just gotta have...
Faith: Where I'm at today. The work has enough of its own weight behind it to lend some momentum, but as writers we suspect the story is still fragile enough to shatter into a thousand fragments.
It isn't, but it feels that way. Hence, the faith.
Excitement: For me, that's usually when I turn the Act III corner. Everything's locked and loaded for the Final Showdown, and soon I'll be... DONE!
Sorta-Daily Wordcount-o-Meter:
24,572 words, not too shabby....
3 comments:
Great lay out of the stages of novel writing. I have a couple of those Gethsemene days, and not too many of the euphoria ones. but yes, that initial flirtation with the work is a great feeling. Sometimes I think I should just start novels and never finish 'em. I like that rush.
Holy cow, Steve - over 24k words! I'd better get crackin' again. :)
Good for you!
Thanks for the chuckle! I'm always giddily infatuated with my idea at the beginning; by the end I feel like I've woken up with a hangover. I look at what's been sharing my pillow and go, Eeek! What was I thinking?
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