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Above is a representation of my current feelings about my wip. Despite its simplicity, it manages to capture a litany of emotions depending on how it's interpreted.
I remember drawing something similar in high school during a time when all I wanted was to fit in. But today, it has a different meaning. It represent the overwhelming obstacle I've created that's preventing me from finishing my ms - a writer's block.
Unfortunately, I'm no stranger to the writer's block. It happens quite often but usually lasts a few days at most. Except two years ago when my block lasted 4 months. It was a nightmare. Anyway, I'm close to finishing my wip in time for my self-imposed deadline. The problem is, I'm suddenly doubting the central plot. My brain has decided to launch a coup d'etat demanding I go in a different direction with the story. So now, I find myself up against doubts, plot holes, and insecurities at the bottom of the ninth which definitely doesn't help the muse. In fact, I believe my muse has packed her junk and left. I'm afraid I'm going to have to do something I've never had to do before. An outline.
I remember drawing something similar in high school during a time when all I wanted was to fit in. But today, it has a different meaning. It represent the overwhelming obstacle I've created that's preventing me from finishing my ms - a writer's block.
Unfortunately, I'm no stranger to the writer's block. It happens quite often but usually lasts a few days at most. Except two years ago when my block lasted 4 months. It was a nightmare. Anyway, I'm close to finishing my wip in time for my self-imposed deadline. The problem is, I'm suddenly doubting the central plot. My brain has decided to launch a coup d'etat demanding I go in a different direction with the story. So now, I find myself up against doubts, plot holes, and insecurities at the bottom of the ninth which definitely doesn't help the muse. In fact, I believe my muse has packed her junk and left. I'm afraid I'm going to have to do something I've never had to do before. An outline.
Not an outline! NOOOOOOOOO!
ReplyDeleteI find that the closer I get to finished the more I worry about things, the more I dislike my writing and my story and more I want to throw it all away and hide under a rock. Hang in there. You'll work through it.
No! The dreaded Outline!:) I guess writing an outline can be what you make of it, it may help in different ways. I remember writing only outlines when I was younger because it was easier than getting stuck on detail.
DeleteI try not think of them as writers blocks - it makes it worse. I see them as opportunities to spend time elsewhere, and come back to earth. My recent visit to a rural part of my state (NSW) has definitely put some things in perspective.
You will be fine. Before you know it, the block will crumble and the words will be there for you. Cheers
Writers block? Ouch!! It's every writers worst nightmare...
ReplyDeleteAn outline MAY just be the answer... it will give direction, and enable you to erase any doubts as well as plug all the plotholes! Something to consider...
You should also consider trying out other writing prompts/challenges which will help to stimulate the creative juices, and you can return to your ms with a fresh eye!
I tend to be a pantser, but I gotta tell ya -- an outline can be a lifesaver. It can help you organize your thoughts and really address some of the issues that are underlying your writer's block.
ReplyDeleteI think your block is just because you're stuck at what seems like an impasse. Your inner heart knows the way your story should go, but your "But I'm almost DONE! I'll have to redo so much!" mind is fighting it. I know -- I've been there. Several times.
Follow your heart. Experiment with the outline and you may discover that your story will be improved because of it. And if it leads you to major rewrites? Well, I think it's better to have to redo a story you really believe in, than to have one "finished" that you don't.
Hang in there and much luck and support!
I've only been writing seriously for about a year now, so I haven't hit a major block yet. I think an outline will be helpful too. Maybe once that's laid out you can see more clearly where you want to go. I have done one in the past but I didn't really follow it in the end, but it did give me something to work towards at the time though.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry about your block. I hope it goes soon.
ReplyDeleteYou've never used an outline? I live with outlines. Without them, I just feel lost.
My big problem right now isn't a block though, I'm just too scared to start writing it. I love horror but it scares the hell out of me!
Love this post. You were right. We did have a similar post. I think an outline might do it, though. I agree that when you doubt the direction it's like sledgehammer to your muse.
ReplyDeleteHi Elise! Popping in from the IWSG. I'm a little bit in the same boat but I read fascinating information today during my rounds of the IWSG - every novel should have five major scenes and if you map them out, then you don't need an outline. It makes perfect sense to me and I'm going to try it - it should get me moving from the deadend I've written myself into. Also, having someone read your work can be helpful. Someone you trust to give you an honest opinion. Good luck!!!
ReplyDeleteMy brain has done that plot doubting thing to me too. More than once. And more than once, I've given in to it, put together an exploratory committee to fully vet the idea, and then ended up tearing the entire manuscript apart. Lots of work but it was for the better, I think.
ReplyDeleteI've never used an outline either.
Sorry about the writer's block.
S.P.: LOL! That is exactly how I feel about outlines. Like Luke with his hand cut off and realizing who his daddy is...NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! (:
DeleteMichelle: Just thinking about doing an outline makes me ill....maybe a little break might help. Maybe some B & R! (;
Chris: Like you, I am a total pantser. The idea of having to plot or do an outline gives me hives. But, I may have to quit my moaning and try. And I think you're right, my heart and my brain are in a boxing ring at the moment...
Honey: Sounds like I'm going to have to at least try...
Kamile: No, I never write outlines. I'm a pantser to an extreme and basically write off the cuff. Sometimes it works great and sometimes, well you get the picture. As far as your wip, if you have an idea then get in a chair and start typing, it's sometimes the hardest part, but there is not way around it. (: Good luck!!
Mina: The muse, she's a finicky bitch. (;
Susan: Thanks you for the precious advice! I'm going to try that tonight, map out my scenes and see what I come up with. It may be less grueling than outlining because to a panster, an outline is like death. (:
M.J. : If I'm truly honest with myself then I know what I have to do. Go in with a machete and take no prisoners.......
Buenos Noches,
ReplyDeleteAn outline could be a good thing (inserts evil laugh...see you are not the only one :)
Have you ever tried leaving WIP alone (if that's where the Writer's Block is) and working on another project "WIP 2.0" perhaps?
I've found that it's not writer's block, but just a need to do (write) something different for a little spell and then I can go back to the original WIP.
Just sayin', like.
This is the second post I've seen today on plot-doubt. I recommended to her that she do an outline if she hasn't already. I'm doing BuNoWriMo (50K words in a month) and so just started my second novel. Three chapters in I came to a dead stop. I didn't know what happens next. I HAD to do an outline. I'm still working on it, but I know where to go next. Good luck on yours!
ReplyDeleteI took a writing class some years ago that started the same way, every time: the first ten minutes, we just had to write. Didn't matter what, just write to engage the "mechanism" (physicality of writing). We could spend the ten minutes writing, "I don't know what the hell to write!" if that's all we had to give. Then the instructor gave us a prompt and another ten minutes. It was all about warming-up and engaging in the "now" of writing, without expectations. Doing this again and again made the writing come easier for us all.
ReplyDeleteAlso; what's a "pantser?" Is that, like, "flying by the seat of your pants?" (I'm so ignorant!) :-)
Some Dark Romantic
Mark: Bonjour! I may have to leave wip alone for a bit. I have had an idea for a second wip brewing in ma brain for a while and it's been bugging me. I may have to just get some of that out and come back to number 1 wip....(:
ReplyDeleteGwen: Me too, seems like a lot of people are having trouble with plot this time around. Good luck with BuNoWriMo, sounds crazy but a great way to move forward in your wip. If mapping out my scenes doesn't give me results, then an outline it is.
Mina: Sounds like an interesting writing class. I've never had the pleasure to take any writing classes with the exception of one on-line class which was a bit of a disappointment. And yes, pantser is the opposite of plotter so as you guessed it, the fly by the seat of your pants writer. (:
Your writing is witty and interesting. I have faith that you'll pull through and in the end you'll have a wonderful MS. :)
ReplyDelete*blushing* (:
DeleteI'm sorry to hear about your writer's block. I hope your muse/inspiration returns soon!
ReplyDeleteThanks Eagle, me too!
DeleteYour last line cracked me up. And outline!!! How horrid. I sometimes get stuck on a certain scene but I've never had full blown block.
ReplyDelete