Oh well, I probably can't, so here goes: I've lost all interest in my writing.
I've been working on my latest novel since mid-February, but I haven't written anything substantial in weeks (I used to write 1-3.5k words a day). My own story bores me (which is weird, because I like reading my own stuff. I like the voice of the piece, and I'm usually suprised at what I can crank out) and that makes me think that without my insider's perspective, any reader would be even more bored. This pisses me off immensely, seeing as the general idea of the story really excites me. This is also the third or fourth rewrite, where I've just scrapped the whole story and begun anew. I really thought this would be the story to finish, but I can hardly open the document without feeling despair. It all seems incredibly hopeless, and I look back on those days when I'd stay up until 5 am typing (or wake up at 3 or 4 am and write until 7:30 or 8, when the rest of the household awakes) simply because I couldn't find a good enough place to stop. The Muse was with me in those days, and now it seems she (or in Stephen King's case, the smelly, cigar smoking man) has abandoned me for someone else.
I feel kinda betrayed. Wouldn't you?
Chris.
PS--I know I should probably move on to something else for a while. Not give up on the story, mind, just get my mind off of it for a short time. This might inspire my muse (which in my mind is fairly based on a comic strip fairy named Pibgorn...though that has no relevance here) to return, but without her, I can't write anything good, and I can't stand writing crap. Yeah, people say to write blindly, paying no mind to the fact that what I bang out belongs in a john, but I can't seem to do that.
Oh well. I guess I'll have to entice her some other way. Sugar cookies, perhaps?
[This message has been edited by cvgurau (edited April 12, 2003).]
Every writer hits a point where they want to toss the story out the window and watch the pages flutter in the wind with glee. Bored at the 4th re-write? Wait till you get to the 12th or more.
The craft is great when you are in the zone. Zoooooommmmm it goes. Then you hit a flat spot and it is self perpetuating.
You sit down groan because last time it went nowhere. Then what happens? You freeze with boredom because that is what your brain says is going to happen again.
Try setting aside the story for a bit. Just let it go. Don't sweat that you have not written for a few days or a few weeks---read. Critique. Start at the beginning of your story and just read--not editing, nothing and let the story soak back into your bones.
It will come.
I also have not written much these last few weeks (my hubby is with the 4th ID in the middle east)---once that would have terrorized me.
Now I know, let it go and soon the muse will be back. (King has his cigar smoking man---I have a gargoyle with a flaming sword)—I can only hope he’s with my husband watching over him right now.
Shawn
Point is, don;t lose heart - the process requires patience.
I often wonder what might have happened had I kept writing so long ago.
I actually have three stories going, so that when one begins to bore me, I work on one of the other ones.
Good luck, though.
Don't worry, it'll come back.
Chris.
Re-read your story, where does it seem to lose steam for you? Look at it from a different POV, use a different take, shake it up. Cut a scene, add a scene, insert a character.
If you just can't face your story-free write(are you familiar with that technique?) it's great for loosing the muse. Whatever you do don't stop writing all together.
When you hit what's wrong then I feel that your muse will return. Just some of my ideas. Hope it helps.
CK
[This message has been edited by Balthasar (edited April 15, 2003).]