Sunday, November 02, 2008

I Already Hate It...

“You can’t be a serious writer of fiction unless you believe the story you are telling.” - Norman Mailer

I'm already struggling with this story, and I'm not certain why. In my head, I have all these neat ideas, but they aren't translating to paper. Grr...

I wanted a light, fun, fluffy story, and the words yesterday were dark and depressing. So, this morning I gave myself a lecture: figure out how to make it fun. I switched to first person which, for whatever reason seems to give my humorous side permission to come out. And, it's working. Sunny is much more light-hearted and snarky now.

But the story is boring. Boring. Boring.

And, if I'm bored, than everyone else is going to be, too.

In any case, I wrote 2700 more words for a grand total of 5,828.

Now I just have to decide if I'm going to stick with this story -- and figure out how to fix it, or quickly switch to something else before it's too late.

Worse, I've been in denial since yesterday, but the fact is: I have a cold. My throat is sore and scratchy, my nose is getting stuffed. I thought the germ had missed me, but I guess it's just taking turns. And now it's mine.

Although, maybe being doped up on cold meds will make the story loosen up? Who knows... will keep you posted.

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9 comments:

Sarita Leone said...

One person's dull is another's enchanting. Just saying. :)

I hope you fall in love with this story. You've already done so much pre-NaNo prep for it. Besides, you're already 10% done! Well on your way to a successful NaNo run!

I hope your cold quickly flees. Hubby and I have been debating for two days now whether or not we're coming down with colds. Blech.

Happy Sunday!

MJFredrick said...

Oh, no!!!! You'll find the joy, I hope! and WOWZA on the word count!!!

Charity Tahmaseb said...

Okay, a couple of things:

If you’re getting a cold, that’s going to muddy your view of this first draft (it is a first draft, yes? Not the final draft you’re sending to an editor.) When I start getting sick, I don’t realize it at first. I just feel like I can’t think/write/whatever.

Two, don’t force it. Go dark if that’s how you’re feeling. I know you want to write lighthearted, but you can’t have light without a little dark. It’s almost always easier to tone things down than to punch them back up.

Third, don’t over think it. Just write.

There. That’s all I have to say.

groovyoldlady said...

Just let the cold meds write and start weeding out the bad stuff on December 1.

Mine is COMPLETELY different from what I'd envisioned, but it's flowing, so I'm going with it. Please come give me your input on where Cassie is...Dell's 13 year-old sister is missing! (and no, I didn't plan that!)

Tori Lennox said...

*hugs* on the cold and the writing, sweetie.

Brandy said...

I hope you like your writing when you feel better, and I hope you feel better!

Ceri Hebert said...

That's a great word count. I completely understand though. I was really getting bored with the direction mine was going. I think I've pepped it up. Of course mine is supposed to be dark and dramatic.

Allie Boniface said...

Stop it...you did this last year! Keep writing; that's the point, right? To get words on the page so LATER you can go back and edit them. Throw a bucket of cold water on that darn inner editor and just WRITE ;)

Dru said...

Oh no. You have to keep writing. Let the words flow on your pages and perhaps the story you're envisioning will appear. You can do it!

I hope you feel better soon.