Monday, January 10, 2011

The days I feel like destroying the world I've created

Yesterday I skimmed through my synopsis draft. When I got to the end, I realized I was not happy with it--the ending (the synopsis too, but that's a story for another day). That was all it took for me to question the novel I spent almost two years working on, the novel I thought was one of my best. Now, there I was, thinking it was my worst. my husband did everything to remind me I'm a great writer. Well, he is my husband, my biggest fan. What else would he say?
I think the only person that can really motivate a writer, is him or herself. People can only encourage us so much. They can tell us everything we want to hear, but in the end, it's up to us to believe it. Most of the time I'm very good at motivating and encouraging myself, but sometimes, it's just so hard. Yesterday was one of those days.

My husband diligently listed all the reasons he thought I'm a great writer, I nodded--equally diligently--but my mind was far away. In the end, after thirty minutes of nodding and staring into space, I dragged myself off the couch and went to cook dinner. I was still not quite present, it's a wonder I didn't burn dinner. Later, after a hot shower I got it. The wrong man got the girl. I love both of the male characters that are after Nora, my protagonist, but there can only be one Mr. Right. I had given her the wrong one and I couldn't get a moment of peace until I did the right thing. If she's not happy, I'm not happy.

The blockage has been removed and the fountain of my imagination is flowing freely again.
So, that was it really. The rain stopped, the sun broke out from behind the dark clouds, and once again, I was the best writer in my world.

What do you do when you reach your low point(s)?

10 comments:

  1. So, so true. It all comes down to trusting the fact that you'll come through with the right ideas eventually.

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  2. Isn't it amazing that simply how getting things the right way around changes your mood and perspective?

    At my low points, I walk away from my stories and come back when I begin to miss them.

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  3. Great post, Liz. I totally agree that we have to motivate and encourage ourselves. We stare at those blank pages alone, no matter how many people are cheering for us. I admire you for being so open to changing your story in such a big way. It will all be worth it when you get it right!

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  4. Yes, yes and yes. You guys are so supportive. You're right, it's all up to us and ideas will come eventually, whether in the shower or in the bus.

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  5. oh my Dear,
    How can I not agree with you? I get these almost every time I get to the end of a rewrite/editing. I'm glad you pulled through, and yes only a writer can motivate himself or herself to write, but the support is also needed.
    I'm going to share a recent "down moment" I had with you here:

    http://kaipee-2.livejournal.com/11484.html

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  6. Wow, what a beautiful, inspiring place. You gotta love the tranquility.

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  7. When I hit a low-point, I'm not allowed to make decisions about my writing until I snap out of it!

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  8. It sounds like an evening at my house. LOL

    It also sounds like you're well on your way to fixing the part that made you unhappy. I know how it goes. I'm adding another layer to my WIP. You just keep on keeping on, as they used to say.

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  9. This is a great post. Every writer has those days and those doubts! But it sounds like you figured it out pretty fast. Good job :) Sometimes you just need to step back for a couple days and try again.

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