Must remain a pleasure
The comments on my previous post made me think some more about something important:
With my mind focused on “doing it seriously so that my stories get published one day”, I could very well start treading on a dangerous road, the one of writing “because I have to do it”, and not exactly because I like it. I’m not sure it’s a road I’d want to take, really. It’s already hard enough as it is with technical writing. Sure, maybe it’s more efficient in terms of success and money, but even this I’m not convinced about–I’m able to tell when I poured my heart into it and when I did it because I was forced to, so if I can, how many readers could as well, and not enjoy the reading? An author who’s bored with her craft, now this is something crappy!
Yes, I think I can do it seriously while working on two or three projects at the same time. It’s all tied to keeping on writing, instead of procrastinating, and this I can do (with a kick in the bottom when TV, books and games call and try to lure me out of the creative rut!).
Thanks for having shared your feelings, because this triggered good thoughts, and good thoughts are always welcome.
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TAG : writing
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Comments
Benjamin Solah
This can be a very conflicting problem. I know what you mean, and I wrestle with the issue frequently.
fredcq
About 2 years ago I finally got my act together and forced myself to focus on one novel. If I didn’t do that, I would never have finished it. I tend to get lots of ideas for novels. In the past, I would immediatly start working on them which tended to slow each project down. Nowadays, if I have an idea for a novel, I write down a quick summary of it and forget about it. If the idea persists, then maybe I would consider doing more work on it. That is just me.From reading your blog, you seem to be very organized and able to juggle more than one project. My problem is, it tend to work more on the project that I deem “the least serious” of the group. Or, the Fun project, lol. This is another way for me to procrastinate.I happen to be at a crossroads now, since I am finished my first book. I have a few projects in mind but my instincts tell me to continue the characters of my last novel. I will probably do this but until I am done editing the first book, I won’t know for sure.
Benjamin Solah
Oh, and I saw you joined NILTOY
Yzabel
Fredcq–I’m not that organized, trust me 😉 But I’m doing my best. It took me like 5 years to realize that “wanting to become a published author” didn’t mean “half-assedly working on a novel here and there for years without ever finishing it” 😀 So now, I try to organize my thoughts and affirm my goals (posting about them help, I admit). I just hope it can work.On the other hand, I often juggle several projects at work, so two novels doesn’t seem that daunting in itself, in the end.
Yzabel
Benjamin–Indeed 🙂 It seems to be a fine community, too (and likely way more organized than NaNoWriYe, now that I’ve been able to compare and learn moe about both). I still need to write a proper introduction, though.
fredcq
So are you into the second book of your Fantasy Trilogy or are you working on the first?
Yzabel
First book. What /used/ to be the first, years ago, I scrapped it out (perhaps I’ll keep it for a prequel idea or something), else my trilogy would have become Jordanesque, and there’s no way I want to be labelled a Jordanesque author :p(But I already have part of the plan for the 2nd volume done.)
fredcq
LOL, Jordanesque. Say that to any Fantasy fan and we know what you are talking about. That guy needs to be put on a leash. I can’t even make it through the first installment.
Vandal
Good luck with the writing Yzabel, but as I used to tell you before, focus is a big deal to writing.Now, many authors do have several projects in various stages, but they also have it organized in how they want to do something.Of course, just keep on writing is a major task. All too many people get the impression they can just slack off, and whammo, it will appear to them in a weekend.Well, I won’t take up anymore of your bandwidth, and will leave ya be.