Sometimes they happen, yeah? So, yesterday, I cut more words than I wrote. Or maybe I wrote enough words, but I cut so many I kind of lost count of what I had. One minute I had X many — the next I was down 1000. Same thing happened again.
This is, unfortunately, the way it goes sometimes. But, OMG, how freaking depressing!! I kind of understood how Hemingway became a lush because I suddenly, desperately, needed a drink. And, because I have a will as solid as a slice of Swiss cheese, I caved. A glass of wine takes the sting off.
And I really couldn't face the WIP any longer. Sometimes you need to go away and return with fresh eyes. Sitting in front of the computer and staring at the screen with the same words on it won't necessarily spark a new idea. I think, at times like this, it's okay to go away.
I also think it's very normal to get twisted up and worry about what you're doing. Yes, I have a contract and a book coming out — and I STILL think I'm terrible sometimes, that it's a fluke, that they're going to catch me and kick me off of Mount Olympus. Yesterday was a bad day. I hope today will be better.
I'm leaving you with the song that ran through my head after my battle with the WIP. Do you like this one? I sure do; it's catchy, even when the day isn't so bad.
Tell me what you do when the WIP isn't working, or you have to cut a couple of scenes….
Mourn the lost scenes. They were too good to be cut down in their prime like that. They were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Then move on. It’s all you *can* do. Anything else is a quick trip to CrazyVille…
When it isn’t working, I watch a crime drama. Somehow that gets me in the mood for writing romance again. I guess it’s all the blood and violence and DNA evidence.
Sorry about the cuts. But you’re right about it being normal to feel twisted up. Hang in there. It’ll all work out.
And I love that song by the way.
CrazyVille is right. I always keep them in a discards file. My discards are often as big as the finished book. Wish I knew a better way. PM’s lovely plotting board for example. That was great, but I could only stare and wonder how anyone could make that work. Did not compute for me, sigh.
PM, LOL! Blood and violence, hmm.
It’s awful when that happens – don’t blame you for hitting the drink. It’s chocolate or cake (or, best of all, chocolate cake) that I use as an all-round comforter when anything goes wrong. Unfortunately, it does mean I have the backside the size of a small country (to paraphrase the song).
Hope today’s better for you.
Hi, Suzanne! Cake is awesome too. 🙂 We didn’t have any of that lying around. *g* The glass of wine was perfect, and I only had one so I guess I’m not in danger of becoming Hemingway just yet. 😉
I’m hoping today is better too! Thanks. 🙂
Times like these are when I want to reach for Jack and some rum. 😉
word verific: yallin
(Can be taken many ways)
next: ounpie
(Pie would also be good)
Rum would make my stomach implode, Kathy. 🙂
There’s always port!
word verif: unito
(Ondole, ondole!!)
Port I can do! 🙂 Good idea!