I've been writing seriously now for about two and a half years. I've churned out several books. Book one is trunked, awaiting major surgery; book two is currently going through the query-go-round. Book three is halfway through revisions, books four and five are awaiting revisions.
As I wrote earlier, I have a shiny new idea, which has steered me away from the revisions. Those revisions wait like a pile of nasty, slimy things but I don't care.
This shiny new idea has possessed me like no other story I've ever written. I'm not sure why. I know that I've fallen completely in love with Evan and Colin. I know that I'm enjoying writing from Evan's POV, in first person (new territory for me). I know that the story has the potential to be very powerful, if I get my research right and get across the fear and uncertainty that poor Evan and Colin are about to endure. I know that, when I'm not writing, I'm thinking constantly about it. Working out the next scene, seeing it my mind's eye. It's an obsession like no other.
I'm churning out words at a NaNo pace - on average, 2k a night. At this rate, I should be done with the first draft in another two or three weeks. Of course, there will be months of revisions and polishing but I have high hopes for this one.
So, my question for other writers is: Does every new story you write take possession of your every waking moment, or is it some stories more than others?
Not me. Not that I have a ton of experience with new stories (only on my second), but it was my red-headed stepchild for a loooooong time. I'm more into it now, but it was a slog at times. So, I think it's a great thing that you're so into yours!
ReplyDeletenot me either. it comes in cycles. when immersed, i will most likely always be thinking about the story, but i think whether it pulls me in completely depends no the scene, my mood, how much other stuff i have to do. then again, i guess maybe i do think about it a lot while i'm rough drafting. so excited for you!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on that feeling! Being compelled like that is a great thing, it means you're writing what you love which will make it great. I get like that with certain things, but not all. Good luck finishing it!
ReplyDeleteThe one I'm querying now was like a movie playing my head, scene by scene. I would get frustrated with having to be at work, because the scene would play over and over until I wrote it down, then rewrote it until I liked it. I got mad at my husband for reminding me to eat, and I stayed up until 3 every night when I had to be up at 6 for work.
ReplyDeleteI'm having trouble finding that level of urgency for the one I'm working on now, but it's starting to take over my daydreaming at work, so I have high hopes for a descent into near-madness soon ;o)
Definitely not! My first didn't invade my every waking moment, but just sat, patiently and immovably in the back of my head. My second started out as a short story exercise and I wasn't really invested in it until I suddenly discovered what the rest of the story was. And the next one (that Egyptian idea!) is invading my every waking moment and WILL NOT WAIT ITS TURN!
ReplyDeleteIt would appear that I have a continuous escalation of enthusiasm for each new idea though, so that's good. :)
~Bookewyrme
My first story was like that. It wouldn't leave me alone; it was all I thought about. If I was driving I was composing ways to describe the route, if I saw someone I was thinking about them in terms of a potential character for my MC to interract with...and so on. I couldn't not write it. Since then, not so much. I'm always thinking about stories or snippets of ideas, but they haven't grabbed me - yet - like that one. I think an obsession like this is a fantastic way to write a story and would love to feel it again!
ReplyDeleteNot my first story, but my current one in query land: Definitely. I was obsessed, and possessed. I churned it out, complete draft and all, in 3 months. It HAD to be written. The voices just wouldn't stop! ;) But I'm so thrilled for you this is THAT project. It's a great feeling, right? And such passion usually shines through in the project, too.
ReplyDeletethe answer to that question is 'yes'
ReplyDeletebut thats the way we writers operate...