I started a
new book a couple of weeks ago and sent the first chapter to my Crit
Mates. While the writing was fine, there
were some story glitches due to the fact that I tend to underwrite and in this case
seriously underwrote the first chapter. The advice I got was dead on, but for
some reason it stopped my forward progress.
Therein lays
the problem.
See, I want
my first chapter to be flawless from the get-go. I know. I know. Not realistic.
Especially when said writer (me) tends not only to underwrite but to start the
book at the wrong place.
But I still
want the beginning to be a place to jump off of and until I get it right—at least
in my head—I can’t move onto the next chapter.
What to do?
Start a new WIP. It’s a WIP that’s been niggling at the edges of my brain for a while.
A story I’ve wanted to write for years. But I’m going to wait until I’m in five
or six chapters before sharing it with anyone. I don’t want my forward momentum to be
interrupted by my doubts, insecurities, and second-thinking.
When do you
send your new WIP to your critique partners? Do you think there's a moment when it's too soon?
I wait till I'm well-in, as you know, then take too long between chapters, as you also know, but would rather not wait on yours. :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry we stopped your story, Margie. I feel lousy about that. Can't wait to see what you're working on now.
ReplyDeleteI feel bad about that, too. I hope you know your writing still shines!
DeleteMe, too. :( And ditto what Liz said - the writing was GREAT, as always!!
DeleteYou guys! It wasn't your fault. I just realized that it wasn't done percolating yet :) Hopefully the new one is--time will only tell :)
DeleteI'm the same way, Margie! I get so excited about the new idea that I can't wait for someone to tell me it's amazing...LOL. Sometimes it is, sometimes it needs to be trashed and started over. But in the end, the book (and the writer) are better for working harder, IMO. It's kinda like exercise to me--some days go perfect, some are excrutiating, but every bit of exercise I do gets me closer to my goal and better at the task I'm doing.
ReplyDeleteWell, heck, Shirley, you just summed it up so much better than I did. LOL That's exactly my problem, I want to be told it's amazing..LOL...girls, are you listening???
DeleteSeriously, if it's got problems, I want to know. But you sort of fall in love with those bright, shiny new ideas, you know? And then they get tarnished with reality.
And I might have to try this exercise thing you speak of :)
I under write too. I also send my chapters in too early. Beginnings are real adrenaline rushes for me. Sorry we stalled you. Can't wait to see what you have coming!
ReplyDeleteNo worries. It will come back when it's ready to go again. No doubt about it.
DeleteI'm the opposite - as you guys know from reading my back-story laden first chapters in the past. I put way too much in my first chapters!! For me, usually try to share once I'm at the 1/3 point, because I feel like I at least have a feel for the characters then...so when you send me back all that red, I have a place to jump off from.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry we stalled you, Margie...
That's what I'm going to try this time, Kristi.
DeleteMy CPs don't see a thing until I've done my complete first draft and reviewed it once.
ReplyDelete