A Little Motivation?

[RcGrant]

Thought I'd come post here for some support, and maybe some tips. I'm on the second draft of my novel (first of a trilogy) and I'm finding it hard going. I've identified what I need to do next, after some false starts, which includes adding quite a few scenes I glossed over on the first draft, as well as properly fleshing out some of the characters. My biggest problem is getting over how big a task it is, and actually doing it.

Time is another factor (isn't it always?), because I simply don't feel productive writing in half hour stints (which sometimes is all I have available). And I'm currently in a crappy transitional stage at work, which is piling on the stress.

I've spent a lot of time post-first draft just thinking, and while I know this is a vital part of the process, it's starting to feel like it's been going on for too long.

So I guess I'm asking for some tips to stay motivated, to find time, to make the next steps towards getting where I want to be. It's all very well reading articles on Google, or tips in writing books, but it would be nice to hear from some people on here.

Thanks!

[chrispenycate]

What can anyone here say to help?

Nobody's going to convince you that it won't be a whole lot of work, not only because you already know it will, but the vast majority here know that already, and it's difficult to convince if you are not convinced yourself.

I will say that if you back out you'll regret it; but you might well regret it if you go on, too.

The odds aren't that good for being published, either, although they're not as bad as they look at a first glance. A lot of the stuff floating around really doesn't meet the minimum quality standards for publication, and you're going to get it good, aren't you? Thinking's good, but the habit of getting something down on paper (or electronic equivalent) must not be allowed to atrophy. If you're not ready to edit and rewrite yet, do some work on the second book, until reading the first feels as if it was written by somebody else, and you can do better. You can, because, by the end of that book, you were.

And the satisfaction of producing something which is right, which is how you wanted it, is one of the greater pleasures a human can experience, a sort of minor monument, even if it finishes its existence in a drawer.

[Teresa Edgerton]

The more you stress about the fact that you aren't writing, the harder it will be to get started.

Think about how you've felt when the ideas were coming so fast that you somehow made time to write no matter what else was happening in your life. It was thrilling, right? You were counting the heartbeats until you could snatch a little time to scribble down a few words? That's what you want to get back to, not some joyless grind of xxx number of words per day.

My advice is to stop trying so hard and give yourself a chance to fall in love with your book again naturally.

[Sapheron]

Take a break. Recover. Then get back to it when you're ready.

[Moss]

Start your second book now. You probably want to and have been thinking about it. You have probably been looking forward to it and are excited by it. When you feel enthused and creative, write the passages in the second novel you have already considered. When you haven't the spark for the creative process, go back and do the hard work on the first novel.

And share with someone. If you haven't already, find someone to read your work. Discussing with another person the private and intimate world you have created can be enormously invigorating.

[Kith]

Note down all the specific things you know you want to change so that you can stop thinking about them, then, as others have suggested, take a break. Move on to something else, whether it be the second book or something entirely different.

When you do come to the second draft, break it into chunks. Don't look at it as one huge, overwhelming project, but lots of smaller ones, and tackle each of them one at a time. Repeat and rinse; your second draft isn't likely to be your last! ^_^

[RcGrant]

Thank you, everyone! There's some great advice there, as well as encouragement.

Moss, I think you're right - I DO want to get started on the second book. So maybe I should just go ahead. And Teresa, I think you nailed it on the head when you said 'stop being so hard on yourself'. I'm very much a perfectionist, and so it's frustrating me at the moment.

Also, Kith, I'll note the idea about writing down the specific changes - it will give me a plan to work with, and I'll be able to see progress.

Thanks everyone, I feel more optimistic now.

[kadife]

I'm not sure if you are a published author or not, but if you are not, my advice would be to get your novel edited as quickly as possible and submit to an agent before you start writing a second (and third book) in the series. I mean, before you put in months of work, do try it out on the professionals first. (And by this I mean actual agents/publishers, not writing advice bureaus.)

I also think Book one should be able to stand alone as a book in itself and you should not rely on it being a trilogy, although you can mention you are working on a sequel in your query letter.

In the meantime, you can try firing off a few short stories which will probably have a better chance of being published as it's always good for morale to see one's name in print. Maybe I sound a bit wary here because I've got an 85,000 novel that was rejected by 10 agents, then I took a second look and understood more clearly what was needed with it. Writing some short stories for a couple of women's mags helped get me over the hump.

Best of luck, and whatever happens, enjoy the creative process of producing your work.

[RcGrant]

Thanks for the advice, Kadife! Not sure I agree with all of it, but I appreciate it nonetheless. I was under the impression that while the first of a trilogy should have a definite arc in and of itself, it was perfectly okay for it to be indicative of a larger plot.

I have no interest in short story writing either, and consider it a discipline in and of itself, so I'm not going to spend time getting good in that arena when it's not something I want to pursue.

And unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately!) whether or not I get published, all three books will get written, because that's what the story demands. I'd dearly love to be able to have a career as an author, but I write because I love it, and have a story to tell, not because I need to see my name in print.

Your advice has sure given me some things to think about though, so thank you, and for the good luck wishes.

[Teresa Edgerton]

In my opinion, the best reason for writing short stories is because the stories you want to write are short stories. As you say, RC, they are a discipline in themselves. And they certainly aren't any sort of stepping stone to becoming a published novelist. On the other hand, if you suddenly find yourself with a fabulous idea that obviously lends itself to a short story, pursuing it might help you to get back some of the excitement (and it won't be a long-term project that interferes with your commitment to the trilogy).

As for tackling the second book, my advice would be to get books two and three into a fairly solid first draft form before you submit the first volume to a publisher. Assuming that you do sell that first book, it can be very frustrating to be writing book two or three and realize that the plot is moving in a direction you hadn't expected and didn't prepare for in the first volume, which is now in print and essentially set in stone. There are ways to get around these problems when they arise, but it's better to avoid them if you can. I speak from experience.

[RcGrant]

Thank you, Teresa; invaluable advice. I have fairly rough plans for the second two books, and I know the ending to the entire trilogy, but as I've discovered writing the first, a lot cropped up that I hadn't expected. I enjoy foreshadowing in particular, so to do that effectively, I'd have to make sure book two and three were written prior to seeking publication.

[The Judge]

I agree with Kith about breaking things down into smaller bits if the totality of what you have to so seems overwhelming - it works for all areas of your life, not just writing. Try alternating relatively easy pieces with ones that you find a little difficult; keep a list and cross things out in red pen when done; and organise a system of treats for when a difficult piece is concluded. Actually, just organise a system of treats!!

As for making time, I don't know what commitments you have, but try and bundle partner/children/senile parents off on someone else for a morning or afternoon once a week and use that as writing time - and make sure everyone knows that this time is sacrosanct (make sure you know it too - no sneaking in of household chores). And remember, beds don't need making, nothing needs dusting, and very few things need ironing. And if you do have a partner and/or children, introduce them to the concepts of cooking and washing up.

Good luck with the writing - and with the job.

J

[Teresa Edgerton]

Originally Posted by The Judge

And remember, beds don't need making, nothing needs dusting, and very few things need ironing.

And don't vacuum until the lint and dust and dog hair (if applicable) reach knee high.

[kadife]

Quite by chance I just came across this site--perhaps it may be of use to you.
Fantasy Fiction Factor - Writing a Synopsis for a Trilogy

[zachariah]

I'm with The Judge - sort out those treats. I've just put another ten thousand words under the belt, and have allowed myself a single, cold, beer. Damn, it was worth it.

And here is something else to motivate you: the envy of your peers. You've finished your seconddraft, you swine! Some of us are barely half way through our first! And you have the nerve to complain. Some people! Snap out of it, woman!