My husband and kids went to the Sox game today, so I had a nice chunk of time to work on my current manuscript. I decided to read what I had written so far, just to see where to go next. And you know what? It stinks. I mean really Stinks. Not in a way where I can revise it to make it better. But in a way where I feel absolutely no heart connection to the material anymore. The thought of spending another year on this novel makes me shudder.
Meanwhile, I've had a whole other story tugging at my heartstrings for the last couple of months. A real life yuckiness that is begging to be turned into fiction. So although I may have just wasted half a year of writing, I'm filing away this unfinished novel and starting something new.
Deep cleansing breath.
I am now opening up my old Institute of Children's Literature material, the program I followed when I wrote Julia's Kitchen. And I'm starting at the very beginning.
Wish me luck!
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4 comments:
Oh my goodness. I can't believe that your manuscript was as bad as you think, but on the other hand, if you don't feel connected to the story...
Or maybe you have to find the right time for the story to come out. I'm dying to know what you are working on now!
You know, the manuscript was spinning in circles, going nowhere. Maybe someday I'll come back to it. Or maybe the voice that was so engaging in that ms will come out in this new novel. I have no idea! We'll talk at critique.
I agree with Jenny, I'm sure it can't really be as bad as it feels right now! But I totally get that feeling. I've been working on a rewrite of this thing I've been working on for... well, way too long... and this morning I looked at it and thought, "UGH. These characters have no place in my heart right now." So I'm starting a new project, too. I know the yucky one will be waiting for me when I want to try again. Good luck to you!
Oh, Lisa, so sorry we are on the same page - so to speak! Good luck to you too!
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