What do you do when a book vexes you? You’re writing along at a REALLY good clip – when suddenly you stop. BANG.
How do you fix that?
First, find what it is that’s made you stop. Once you identify, there’s a couple of options –
- write some other area of the book just to get around the problem.
- Write another scene for the book, that you have no intention of being part of it.
- work on another book in the meantime.
If you’re under contract with your publisher and you’ve sent them a synopsis of the novel, you may not have the luxury of saying, “I’m stuck – I’m working on a different novel instead.”
This is why it’s a good idea to write up synopses for ten novels, and send them to your publisher – that way if you say, “Stuck on Gilligan – working on Brady Bunch until I figure it out”, they’re liable to tweet back, “okay.” If you’re going to take that route, make sure you delivered at least three salable manuscripts upon signing – that way you bought yourself a couple of years slush time!
Part of writing is discipline. You first have to teach yourself you can put out 2,000 words a day. 5,000 words in one day I think was my maximum.
Then you have to teach yourself to do that every day.
Now you have to teach yourself to write until it’s done.
The good part of not being signed to a publisher is you can work on anything.
Once you’re signed, that option goes out the window.
You have to finish the book.
Is there a problem with the structure? That’s your first question, and it’s going to cause more heartache than anything. Get into the action right away. Most of the time a problem with structure is that you’ve started the book in the wrong spot. Delete your prologue, get the book into the action right away, and you may find your story problems disappear.
[Tweet “Get into the action right away. Most of the time a problem with structure is that you’ve started the book in the wrong spot.”]
Is there some element of the story you despise? My fourth novel has a part in it that’s killing me – I know I need to work that in, but it feels like another novel entirely, and I’m not comfortable with it. My solution is to yank it, and start over again!
Is there a problem with a character not acting like them self? either change it to a different character, or rewrite it so that it conforms to their personality. Those are your only two options – make a decision right now and stick with it.
Finish the book! Get it written!
Act as if you’re under deadlines now – that way you’re accustomed to it once you’re signed with a publisher!
