I've been putting a lot of pressure on myself to make each book of my 13th Floor series better than the last. I cracked last month. The fifth book with my favorite character in the series was not good. Nope. It just wasn't working out the way I'd hoped. The previous four books came out very well on the first draft. Why wasn't this one?
I hold myself up to higher than normal standards. Sometimes it's so high, I can't reach what I want. I keep pushing, though. Clawing at the wall, fingers going numb, eyes wonky from staring at the screen.
Then I step back and ask another opinion.
Hm. I don't need to scale that impossible wall. I can take another route. Why didn't I see it before?
So that's what I'm doing. I'm rewriting the fifth book with both Harriet's and Kiral's points of view now. Usually I don't like to do more than one point of view, but it's working for this story. The pressure is easing. A little bit. I still have a deadline I must make!
I'm so lucky to have bright and understanding CPs and betas. They've supported me so much with this series. Thank you.
Have you ever felt you smacked yourself uselessly against a wall and then discovered a path you didn't see before?
We all have our difficulties from time to time. If the use of two points of view works for this story, then embrace it! Each story is different, which is why reading continues to be awesome!
ReplyDeletegirl your crazy! your stuff is amazing. you gotta know that. just be calm, be true. you'll be fine!!
ReplyDeleteHave you ever felt you smacked yourself uselessly against a wall and then discovered a path you didn't see before?
ReplyDeleteAll. The. Freaking. Time. (Whether writing or drawing, haha.) Sorry to hear that you've been struggling with your latest 13th Floor book, but I'm glad you finally found a way to work around it! You may not be fond of writing from two POVs simultaneously, but I'm sure you're pulling it off awesomely! :)
Having the strength to admit when something is wrong, and change your original plans, is very admirable. It's a brilliant trait to have.
ReplyDeleteHaving read the fifth book, let me tell you again, I love the alternating POV. I think it's perfect for the story. It's not the story of just one character, like the other four books, it's the story of BOTH the characters. I think you absolutely made the right choice.
I know this feeling with my wip right now. It takes place through several years, but there are lots of holes. I just started rearranging it to be a year or two and it's flowing better (: Good luck with yours!
ReplyDeleteYes! That's why I value my test readers and critique partners. Sometimes I just bounce ideas off them and they suggest a new path that works better.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're on the right path - you'll make your deadline!
Sometimes stepping back is the best way to see a way past the brick wall! It happens to me at least three times per novel... It's great that you found a way around it, and I hope it works for you! :)
ReplyDeleteI've done that so many times. I'm glad you found a solution that works for you!
ReplyDeleteUh,yeah. I spent the whole last month smacking my head against a wall. Had to rewrite a chapter three times before I found the right route. But I like it now, so that's all that matters. :)
ReplyDeleteSeems everyone I'm visiting this am is posting about being involved in the insecure group. Never realized writers felt so unsure about what they did. Wonder why that's any different then any other profession? Surely Doctors, nurses, lawyers etc don't feel so insecure or have support type groups...you've got me curious.
ReplyDeleteTraveling Suitcase
It is always useful trying to solve a problem from different approaches. Often one would find easier and better solutions. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a very good post! I encounter the same problem all the time: I can't see the path that is lying right in front of me.
ReplyDeletewww.modernworld4.blogspot.com
You've been working so hard on this, Christine! You should be proud of yourself for doing it at all. And it's hard, sometimes, as a writer when you get stuck on an idea and then can't make it work. I've done it. Worse when you have a deadline. Like a painter, focusing on one little detail--sometimes you have to step back and look at the whole and get a new angle.
ReplyDeleteI love your writing.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you were able to take a step back and find what will work. As a reader I don't mind alternating point of view.
Yes! I am going through what you are trying to rework two of my manuscripts in the series I wrote. Be happy you ended up with a good first draft on your first four books. It's tough to do!
ReplyDeleteOH good for you for taking the time to find a creative solution. WOnderful!
ReplyDeleteThank you to all for your wonderful comments. Sometimes in that moment, it feels like you're the only one that ever experiences the smashing against the brick wall thing. It really helps to have a great community like this.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like every book I try to write. I don't plot, so I go through that process a lot. It's good you're making it the best it can be - it's even better you can see where you think you're going wrong. Good luck with the rest of the story!
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing. I'm glad you found a way around - to use a cliche, sometimes we can't see the wood for the trees! A good step back is all that's needed sometimes.
ReplyDeletehehe, I'm constantly smacking up against a wall ;)
ReplyDeleteLynda R Young
IWSG co-host
Yup. All the time. =) I'm glad you found your path.
ReplyDeleteThat was very clever of you to solve the problem by changing the POVs. I wish I could figure out problems like that. Indecision can shut me down for months.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, and good luck on book #5!:-)