Backbrain

[ksmith]

I wish I was one of those writers who simply posted wordcounts and had done with it. Pages would just flow--no worries, mate. Nope, not me, even when things are going comparatively well. It's birthing watermelons every blasted time.



Despite the fact that Jani 5 had thus far flowed like chunky peanut butter on a shingle, neat things occasionally do happen. I had a rough few days--I had reached the magic 200-page point in the draft, and damned if the thing didn't show signs of the Dreaded First Draft Stall. I've suffered through it with the previous four books, but *knew* I had avoided it with J5 because after all, I had the story so well thought out. But I puttered and futzed through some PITA chapters, then finally linked the mess into a Master Doc and damned if the page count wasn't 196. I mean really, what is it about that point in the book that breaks me every flap-assed time?

So, yesterday didn't leave me a happy camper. Watched Buffy Season 2 episodes--even that didn't cheer me up. Then this morning, I woke up and stuff started...downloading . Something of importance concerning my difficult idomeni POV. A couple of motivators for Jani, one that drives her to act like an idiot and another that drives her to act like a real bastard. A few key scenes near the end. Scraps of conversation between Jani and Niall. Something about Lucien.

I considered writing it all down in my notebook, then decided hell with it and fired up the iBook. It's all contained in one very long Comment inserted into Chapter 1, which is fine because that chapter is going to require some rewriting. Much of those first 200 pages will, in fact, need to be rewritten, but it's no longer news at this point, so I can deal. Funny thing is, the overall plot will essentially remain the same. It just needs to be presented differently. I will keep pushing onward, through some really nasty business. Jani is really fighting herself in this one. She is not a political creature.

Comments

[hoosier-red.livejournal.com]

Yes, but they're tightly written, thoroughly entertaining watermelons.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

But right now, one is in the seed stage, and there seems a helluva long way to go to get to the picnic.

[scarlettina.livejournal.com]

you have so much sympathy from me. Birthing watermelons indeed. When you're sone withthe novel and i finish these damn story revisions we really should meet somewhere for a good strong drink. Souinds like we'll both need deserve it.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

You're on. I read your contractor's post, and really felt for you. I've been at the same company for over 17 years, and every time I get restive, I consider what a freelance life would be like, and ask myself if I could really manage it. I admire the people who can.

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

I've suffered through it with the previous four books, but *knew* I had avoided it with J5 because after all, I had the story so well thought out.

Y'know....

As reported Elsewhere, Crystal Dragon has not been an unmitigated joy to write. My theory being that this was because I knew the story so well. The cat-brain is all over the place looking for something shiny to play with, utterly bored by the old toy it got last week...

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

As reported Elsewhere, Crystal Dragon has not been an unmitigated joy to write. My theory being that this was because I knew the story so well. The cat-brain is all over the place looking for something shiny to play with, utterly bored by the old toy it got last week...

I really do think that this is a major part of my problem.

watermelons

[pbray.livejournal.com]

At least with watermelons you'd get something useful.

I'm one of those who post word counts, but mere word counts shouldn't be mistaken for quality. It's just a self-motivator since at this point I have to write, even if it's only "See Dick. See Jane. See Jane pick up sword. See Dick run. Run, Dick, run." I'm at that middle of the book stage where the characters are wandering around aimlessly, and I'm convinced that the more I write the more it will become completely obvious that no one gives a rat's ass what happens to these people.

Experience has taught me that I have to push through this stage, even if I *know* I'm writing sheer crap, until the chapters pile up and the momentum propels me to the final sprint. Then I can go back and see what I can salvage out of the first draft. If I'm lucky, I'll find that these middle chapters are better than I currently think they are.

Re: watermelons

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

At least with watermelons you'd get something useful.

And you get to spit the seeds.

Experience has taught me that I have to push through this stage, even if I *know* I'm writing sheer crap, until the chapters pile up and the momentum propels me to the final sprint. Then I can go back and see what I can salvage out of the first draft. If I'm lucky, I'll find that these middle chapters are better than I currently think they are.

I have been telling myself this--I am a rewriter, not a writer, and have much more fun (well, comparatively speaking) when I have something to revise.

Re: watermelons

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

I'm at that middle of the book stage where the characters are wandering around aimlessly, and I'm convinced that the more I write the more it will become completely obvious that no one gives a rat's ass what happens to these people.

Ok, writer quotation time--I think it was either Elinor Glyn or Rebecca West who described the stages of writing a book. The beginning was yadda yadda (a night with a new lover?), the end was something else that was quite good, and the middle was the Gobi Desert.

Anyone else heard of this?

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

And in honor of this thread, a new avatar...

[technomage.livejournal.com]

Look at it this way, birthing the watermellons is better than leaving them in there, right?

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Ah, but that's the tricky bit, grasshopper. They don't become watermelons until you try to push them out.