Insecure Writer's Support Group: What do you do when you grow bored of a story?

Happy New Year, folks!

I know I haven't been around much since I started working for CQ, but I'm aiming to rectify that this year.

2013 was an awesome year for me - love and thanks to all that helped make that happen <3 - and I hope 2014 is even better. One of the ways I want to improve on last year is by creating a better work/ writing/ blogging balance.

I don't want to make promises I won't keep, but I am going to try my hardest to keep up with blogging, and find time to work on my novel, while continuing my CQ work.

To that end, I'll be back next week with a proper update about work and writing, but today, I wanted to take part in my first ever IWSG!

I'm a long-time lover of Alex J. Cavanaugh's IWSG, I think it's an amazing concept, and the things Alex and the IWSG team have done with the group in the last year awe me. You guys rock. I hope your success continues and you know where I am if you ever need any help! <3

As for my own insecurity about writing, over the holiday break, I got to wondering, what do you do when you grow bored of a story? 

For the past year, I've been working on a new-adult paranormal-romance. I've written about 40k, and had most of that critiqued by a few trusted writer friends, while I continue writing the rest, and making revisions as they suggested.

For the most part, it's being going okay. When I have time between work, I've enjoyed writing the story. But ever now and again, I have moments when I just don't want to continue. I think it's too hard to get over these mountains, and I want to create something new.

I worry I'm addicted to the buzz of creating characters and worlds.

I have countless stories I've started and never completed. Most of them have been written during NaNoWriMo, and many are in different states; from complete and needing revising, to an unfinished mess.

I wonder if part of the problem is editing. I hate the process and find it really difficult. And when I find it difficult, I get bored. I start telling myself if I start a new project, I'll prepare and plan better and it will need less editing. But that's not true. No amount of preparing will create a perfect first draft. Editing is part of the growing process.

Then I start wondering should I just write for fun, for myself. Not caring if it's perfect or not, and never showing it to anyone. But I think no, a story that is never read isn't a real story. I want my story to have life outside my computer. It deserves that much.

I feel like I can't turn my back on these characters. I owe it to them to finish their story.

So for now, I'm back in that world, and enjoying it once again.

But I wonder, what do I do the next time this feeling inevitably creeps back? Go through the motions of wanting to give up and write something new until it passes and I fall in love with my original story again, and keep repeating that process until the novel actually gets finished?

Or is there something else I can do to keep me focused and on track?

I'd love to hear your tips and advice if you have them.

I hope everyone has an excellent week, and I will try to pop in on some of you to read your IWSG posts, and see what you've been up to recently.


38 comments:

  1. It sucks when you start to feel this way. One way to beat it is just to carry on, and push through it until you're back into the story. Another idea is to fast forward to a scene you've been looking forward to writing, or even the ending. That could give you the motivation you need. Good luck!

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    1. Fast-forwarding doesn't work for me. Once I write all the scenes I'm really excited about, I completely lose interest.

      I think just carrying on might help me though. I think pushing through until I'm back in the story is the way to go.

      Thanks for the encouraging comments and support! :D

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  2. Isaac Newton always kept a special notebook that he called the "waste book." While he was doing the experiments that made him famous, he'd allow himself to waste time jotting down notes on unrelated topics. Supposedly these waste books are full of his thoughts not just on science but music, philosophy, and even cooking.

    I think his idea was that he needed to keep his mind fresh, and that meant walking away from his primary work and indulging in other interests from time to time. Maybe Newton's colleagues thought that was wasteful, but obviously it worked for him.

    Maybe taking a little time to try working on something else will help keep your mind fresh for whatever your primary project is.

    Hope that helps.

    - James.

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    1. I really love this idea, and might try it. I'll keep a notebook and jot down these random ideas whenever I feel the need to. Hopefully getting them out of my head will help me focus on my main project.

      Thanks for the advice, and for dropping in! :D

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  3. I'm in the same boat as you. The editing process is where I fall apart. I too have plenty of incomplete projects sitting around. If I ever got the motivation to edit what I already have, I could probably have 3 or 4 books out in one year.

    Since I'm in the same boat, I can't offer a solution, only understanding and support. If you do find a good way to cope with the editing doldrums though, let me know!

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    1. We can be editing haters together, and if I find anything that helps, I'll be sure to let you know!

      Maybe we should reward ourselves for every page edited?

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  4. Clare, I know EXACTLY how you feel. My last rough draft had me by the small hairs on the back of my head for awhile. I kept putting off finishing because there was no spark left in it for me. But, I forced myself to sit at that computer day in and day out typing away even if what came out of my fingers was a grocery list. Then all of a sudden something I wrote jumped out to surprise me. I had no idea that what was happening was even going to happen in my story. My outline be damned. That made me excited again. It was an Ah-Ha moment that I didn't see coming. Now that RD is finished and I am (sort of) excited about getting my hands into the revision.
    Leanne ( readfaced.wordpress.com/ )

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    1. I'm glad forcing yourself to write worked. I think that's what I need to do sometimes. It's too easy to think "oh it's too hard" and then do something more appealing.

      Good luck with revisions, I hope it goes well for you and thanks for dropping by. :D

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  5. Thanks, Clare! And appreciate the article at Curiosity Quills for the IWSG.
    I've had moments like that with my current manuscript. I finally realized it was because I hadn't delved deep enough into the characters. I needed to know them better so I would care more.

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    1. You're most welcome, Alex. Seriously, if you ever need anything, just ask. :)

      Hum ... I think caring about the characters are what keeps me coming back, thankfully. :)

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  6. It's tough when you have moments like this - I had so much trouble with my last WIP because of it. The advice I'd give is to find a reminder of why you wanted to write the story in the first place, and focus on that. When I'm losing motivation, I either force myself to push through a draft until the end (as I did with my last WIP), or take a step back and move onto a project I feel more passionate about. Best of luck! :)

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    1. Thanks for dropping in Emma. Sometimes stepping back and taking a break does help ... it's just coming back from the break! lol
      Focusing on why I wanted to write the project in the first place sounds like a good idea though. Thanks for the advice. :)

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  7. I know where you coming from. I do enjoy the freedom of first draft writing, but I have a goal of not writing another first draft until I get at least one of my MS in shape.
    Editing is hard for me, but I am powering through it.

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    1. Thanks for dropping by!

      I need to be stricter with myself on the no new MS until the current one is complete. I keep looking for loopholes.

      Yeah, powering through editing, with rewards for getting so much done, sounds like the best course of action!

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  8. Welcome to IWSG! I can relate to your boredom. I have a few stories lingering in the 30K words range...waiting...look! Squirrel! Sigh...

    River – IWSG Co-host
    Seasoned With Words

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    1. Thank you!

      I love how easily distracted you got there, because I did the exact same thing when telling Hubby about my IWSG post. I paused mid-sentence because I heard the ice cream van!

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  9. Sometimes partial stories are all that need to be written, because they are the part that speaks to our soul. Perhaps this is prep work for another story waiting to be born. Trust your gut on this one - if it's only temptation to quit, you'll know, and if that's the case, you'll know you have to keep writing until it's done. Welcome to IWSG :)

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    1. Hum ... I thought that about my previous abandoned drafts, but then I began wondering, how many stories can be written off as 'pre'. But you're right about temptation to quit - this is the story that keeps calling me back! :D

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  10. I don't get bored too often but when I do, I just jump to another MS till I get my mojo back.

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    1. I used to do that when writing fanfic. I find I can't do it with original fiction. I get suckered into the second project and neglect the first.

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  11. I have listed a certain number of books (see on my IWSG) and until I finish them or reach a certain drafting level I won't start any new (or old) wips. I'm sorry about your writing stress but don't give up and try to pick top priority and stick to those first.

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    1. Great idea, Sheena-Kay. I think that will be the key for me too, not allowing myself to start something new - or go back to something old - until I hit a certain level. :)

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  12. Clare! So good to see you posting- and can I tell you, you are like my writing twin. I do the same thing as you do. I create these characters and worlds and start all kinds of stories, but rarely have the time or inclination to finish them all.

    I will offer you this- the bits and pieces that you have shared with us on your blog have all been brilliant. I especially loved what you did for the A-Z challenge. So, please don't ever give up.

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    1. JEN! Great to speak to you!!

      It's terrible, isn't it? I hope you find a solution that works for you, too. The snippets I've read of your writing have been amazing, and I'd love to read more! :)

      Thanks for the compliments and encouragement. :D

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  13. I know what you mean. Editing is my bane too. It does help when I put something aside and then come back to it a few weeks or a month later. Then I reread it and get excited again. Keep at it! You're a terrific writer. :)

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    1. Hey Christine! :)

      Thanks for the compliments, and advice. I do find stepping away for a while helps. It's just the coaxing me back that's hard! lol

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  14. Editing is the pits, but no agent or editor ever signed 75% of a manuscript! You just have to sit your butt down in the chair and finish it and make it the new shiny object that will attract someone's attention. Then, if you don't get any requests and not much positive feedback, walk away and start again. You got this :-)

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    1. Hey Jamie, thanks for dropping by! :D

      I do keep reminding myself of that, but then I think, screw it, I'll write for myself and then it won't matter. But I know I'd never really be happy doing that. I think I just need to keep at it and not give up.

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  15. So true that a story never read doesn't really have a life. I guess that is why we edit. I used to hate it, but I have grown to like it more because my story is always so much better for the edits. More people will like it once you polish it up a bit, and that is the difference.

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    1. That's one fact that keeps me motivated. I keep hearing my characters saying "what's wrong with us that you won't share us with the world." and then I feel bad and want to continue. :D

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  16. I get wrapped up in researching a world, developing the characters, adding tension and adventure; then realize I need to add a purpose - plot - to their existence. That's usually when the story starts lagging for me.

    .......dhole

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    1. It's tough, isn't it? Have you found anything that helps you weave those elements together?

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  17. Hi, Clare. I believe we're all in the same boat. While revising and editing I also tend to grow weary of my books and think, "I'm bored with this concept. It can't be good." Sometimes, you need to step back. When you return you see it in a whole new light. Good Luck.

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    1. Thanks for dropping by Cathrina. Revisions really are tough. I will have to remind myself it's okay to take breaks, then come back loving it. Not just run screaming from it...

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  18. The urge to quit and move on to new things during the editing stage can be overpowering at times, but it always helps when I look back at the edited sections of my story and see how much better it looks after editing. That's what keeps me going.

    Glad you joined the IWSG! Looking forward to more of your posts.

    P.S. I got into writing via fan fiction too.

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    1. Yes, I have found looking at the edited parts helps. It makes me grin seeing how far my story has come. I'll have to keep that in mind the next time I'm flagging.

      Thanks for the welcome, and for dropping by.

      I think fan fiction is a great starting place for writers. :)

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  19. Whenever I get bored with a project, that's usually my subconscious trying to warn me that something's wrong with it. The boredom will go away once I change something about the plot or characters. (This could easily be just me, though!) Wishing you the best of luck with your WIP!

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    1. I've heard similar theories from other writers; that if you're bored of a scene, the reader will be too, and something needs to change.

      Thanks for the advice. I will give it some thought the next time writing boredom strikes. :)

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Thank you for taking the time to read this entry, and comment. I really appreciate it.