And so it fizzled...

What day is today? Today is the day I was supposed to have completed my book. And where are we instead?

It's come to a complete and total grinding halt. I don't know what happened. Not only do I not like it any longer, but I can't seem to get myself psyched up to write about it anymore.

Remember that rogue chapter I was telling you about? It became the end of me -- well, at least the end of my current manuscript.

Okay, so that wasn't just it. I've also been working some incredibly long hours at the office (17 hour days to be exact--including weekends), and that kind of time just doesn't leave room for writing. Perhaps it was a good thing though, because when I returned to the manuscript, I suddenly just didn't like it anymore. Perhaps it was because I came back to it with a fresh eye and saw things I couldn't see when I was so involved with it everyday.

Oh, don't get me wrong. I still love the storyline. That, I do not want to change. It's just the whole setting, the way things were progressing - it was not working for me. I'm at 200 computer pages right now...

...And although it's killing me, because I have made SUCH progress in the last few months... I have to start over. I have to. I might be able to use some of it in the new manuscript - but I think as of now, it will just be mainly for reference OR possibly for use in Book 2 if I get to that point.

It's a terrible feeling - knowing that you've come so far - I thought I was on the verge of finishing, only to discover I needed to begin all over again. But I am retaining hope however - I know I will be able to push ahead with what I've learned, and hopefully the result will be an even better manuscript.

Has this happened to any of you? What did you do? I would love to hear your thoughts...