I spent the weekend going over, and actually re-reading my current MS (yes, the one I mentioned shelving last week). I know, I know... before you start yelling about the dangers of doing this, hear me out :)
I needed to do this to see exactly where I was. I started writing it in July, so quite a bit of time has passed since I first put those words to paper. I wanted to see what drew me to writing them in the first place.
And surprisingly, I'm actually glad I did--because as you know--this usually has the opposite effect on me. I think with some minor tweaking at the beginning, and some major tweaking in the middle--which is where I am--this thing might be salvageable.
I'm loathed to let this one go too. Despite my misgivings, I really have become attached to these characters and the story. I just can't stop thinking about it, even when I wasn't writing it.
Sooooo.... on that note, many of you will be glad to hear that, as you had strongly advised, I have decided to continue with this MS.
If it works, it works, and that's great, but if at the end it doesn't, at least I can say I tried and I completed it, and learned something along the way, which in the long run, may help me more than abandoning it at this stage.
What about you? What factors make you either push on with a project that might seem hopeless despite the potential, or shelve it to start a new one?
p.s. Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian friends! :)
11 comments:
To me it all depends on whether I'm still happy with writing it.
But before I stop, I also reread what I've written and do some character exploring. If after that I still can't get excited, I stop.
:-)
Whether it works or not at this point in time is not too important. What is vital is that you are not giving up and are writing. The only way to success is to struggle and write and write. That way you are sure to succeed. Thanks for joining me, Misha.
Carole.
Yay for finding the love for the MS again.
I've not shelved an MS yet. Maybe it's because I've not reached the stage where I can't leave the MS alone. I tend to want to know what happens myself. That, and I've got five CP's and betas wanting to read it. That helps with the motivation. :)
Good luck with your revisions. It sounds like you have your work cut out for you but you're up to the challenge.
I got an idea for a vampire story. But I didn't want to write it because... try to sell a vampire story now. But I wrote it anyway. No hit so far, so it's practically shelved. : (
Good for you, if you can't stop thinkign about it, then clearly it's the thing to do.
The level of my passion for a certain writing project spurs me to go on or leave it behind. If I'm not interested enough in the characters and the plot, then it's much more likely that I'll shelve it for the time being.
Kudos to you for sticking with your current MS! :) Best of luck revising.
~TRA
http://xtheredangelx.blogspot.com
I think when you like the story and characters you owe it to them and yourself to give it another shot. Good for you.
I have to be excited and passionate about writing that and the characters story. If I get bored, so will the readers. But you can change so many things, and make it turn out great!
Glad you're pushing forward! Me? If I don't complete the sequel to my book a mob will lynch me!
It's so hard to keep going on a project sometimes. Especially when a brand new shiny idea pops up and seems fresher and more fun. But I've been slogging away at a WIP I can't let go so far until I've really done all I can to make it better. Still gotta keep plugging away!
Fortunately I never had to shelve a project, although I had to delete entire chapters and put them in my Junkyard as spare parts to possibly be used at a later time.
Stephen Tremp
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