And the Plot Thickens
I have been working on EXISTENCE for the past seven months. I love time travel and I love a hero, so this was the perfect book for me to write.
Lately I've been struggling with my re-writes. I knew in the back of my head that something was wrong, but I couldn't pin-point it. It got so bad that I finally broke down and talked to my husband about it.
Normally I avoid the subject of writing with my husband becasue his eyes glaze over, but I just couldn't keep it in anymore. I'm so glad I said something becasue my husband pointed out a MAJOR plot hole. It's so major that I can no longer write EXISTENCE.
The entire premise of my book is that if someone were to change past enough the world would implode and basically become a different planet. The bad guys in my book want this to happen becasue they've been alive for 4,000 years (they are immortal) and they're sick of humanity. They think that they are the people who need to re-start the human race.
In my book, they succeed in destroying the earth. My book is pointless without this happening. Of course, the story is also pointless if these immortals can't be killed. The only way to kill an immortal (in my book) is to kill them when they are still mortal.
These bad guys were going to destroy the earth by killing Adam and Eve, it's the only thing that makes sense for my story. But then my husband pointed out that if Adam and Eve die, everyone dies, even the immortals.
He's right. I have thought and thought about how to fix this. I have thought about it for three days, and I can't come up with a solution. The entire premise of my book is destroyed.
After moping around for a few more days I decided I needed a break from that book. I've started something new and I have all of those new story happy butterflies going on right now. The only thing that is holding me back is thought that I can't seem to finish anything. I want to be a published writer. I want to work hard and get my book polished and send off queries. But I can't seem to struggle past draft 1.
The thing is, I know it's possible. I've watched you guys be amazing, and send your books off, and get awesome deals, but it's going to be a long time before I get there myself.
Any words of advice for pushing through and editing your book?
Lately I've been struggling with my re-writes. I knew in the back of my head that something was wrong, but I couldn't pin-point it. It got so bad that I finally broke down and talked to my husband about it.
Normally I avoid the subject of writing with my husband becasue his eyes glaze over, but I just couldn't keep it in anymore. I'm so glad I said something becasue my husband pointed out a MAJOR plot hole. It's so major that I can no longer write EXISTENCE.
The entire premise of my book is that if someone were to change past enough the world would implode and basically become a different planet. The bad guys in my book want this to happen becasue they've been alive for 4,000 years (they are immortal) and they're sick of humanity. They think that they are the people who need to re-start the human race.
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In my book, they succeed in destroying the earth. My book is pointless without this happening. Of course, the story is also pointless if these immortals can't be killed. The only way to kill an immortal (in my book) is to kill them when they are still mortal.
These bad guys were going to destroy the earth by killing Adam and Eve, it's the only thing that makes sense for my story. But then my husband pointed out that if Adam and Eve die, everyone dies, even the immortals.
He's right. I have thought and thought about how to fix this. I have thought about it for three days, and I can't come up with a solution. The entire premise of my book is destroyed.
After moping around for a few more days I decided I needed a break from that book. I've started something new and I have all of those new story happy butterflies going on right now. The only thing that is holding me back is thought that I can't seem to finish anything. I want to be a published writer. I want to work hard and get my book polished and send off queries. But I can't seem to struggle past draft 1.
The thing is, I know it's possible. I've watched you guys be amazing, and send your books off, and get awesome deals, but it's going to be a long time before I get there myself.
Any words of advice for pushing through and editing your book?
Comments
Writing is one field where we can read all kinds of books and attend all kinds of conference classes on the subject, but we don't ever get good at it (hopefully good enough--whatever the heck that means) unless we do it. And do a lot of it.
Ira Glass says it all for me, and I watch this video every time I'm bummed out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbC4gqZGPSY
Although I can't really give much advice because I'm in the same situation, I know from my own experience that my better plot lines develop after years of rethinking them.
I just keep reminding myself to be patient and keep struggling forward in the story until it's polished just the way I want it. I don't know if that really helps but I wish you well on your story.
Take some more time off, but don't give up! :D
Good luck :-)
And I'm in the same boat as you...still trying to Finish. The. Book. My problem is time...there are so many little ones running around my house needing me that it's hard to find time to write! Good luck with the new book! :)
Even though I'm getting a book published, I still feel this way. Especially lately. I have so many books I've started, but can't seem to focus on just one. My confidence is sliding down the drain and I really don't know how to get it back. :P I won't give up, but I really need an attitude/confidence adjustment. :( Hang in there. All of us have felt this way at one time or another. You'll push through it. :)
There are many options and taking a break and writing something else is just what you need.
Good luck with it!
I have a problem with finishing books too. A BIG problem. When I finally do, I edit and fret, until I get self conscious and discouraged, and then it never gets sent out.
When I get in one of my editing "funks" the best thing I've found to do is exactly what you're already doing: moving on to a new exciting idea. I've found that when I do that, it clears my head for the problem project. I come back to it fresh, and with a different perspective on how to fix it. In fact, my greatest moments of inspiration for my books have been when I haven't been writing at all. I've been doing dishes, pulling weeds, or taking a shower. It just needs time, and a fresh perspective.
I just finished one of my books, finally (let the editing begin!). I'm determined not to fret so much this time, and actually send it out. Lol, we'll see how that goes.
You'll get Existence figured out. Just give it time, don't stress about it, and enjoy your new project.
P.S.
I don't talk to my husband about my books either. He is the opposite of my ideal reader, so none of it really interests him. He gets the glazed eyes thing going on too.
I love my story, and I keep thinking I'll figure out a way to fix it. Don't give up!
And remember, you're writing fiction. IF you want the immortals to come from Nephilim or an alternate reality Adam and Eve or something, you can. As long as it makes sense in the context of your book, it can be. I'm sure there's a way around the problem. You'll find it.
Until you do, keep writing that new MS!
Sometimes we hit those spots. When I do, I take a little break and work on other stuff while I mull it over.
If not the manuscript you just scrapped, then another one will catch fire, and then there will be no stopping you.
Sorry, just couldn't help it.
When I'm in a situation where I need to edit to the end, it is a fierce push to just reach the end. The End is the goal I have in mind and when I reach it, I can go back and re-read the interesting "crap, WTH was a thinking and other stuff" that I wrote lol!!
Just a thought. I really love your idea. It's a good combination of sci-fi and mystique.
Since that's true, I'm not really the best person for editing advice . . . but I hope you find a solution for your story!
The Golden Eagle
The Eagle's Aerial Perspective
Just remember that it's your story and you can do whatever you want with the rules :)
Writing is hard. The agent game is hard. I'm not published, I've written four novels and a memoir now, and I keep hearing the same thing "We can't connect to your characters" (Fuck you show and tell! Pah!).
It's hard to give advice without actually reading your work, but as the person above me said, your world, your rules. Maybe these immortal people talked to the serpent to get A and E to eat the apple, maybe they thought it'd kill them, not make them human. Maybe, (with the apple) there is a way to make the immortals mortal, too? Keep thinking about it though. Make a chart if you need to. Drink beer. Tea, whatever. This is your world, your rules, most importantly, YOUR CHARACTERS.
You are not bound one way or the other. You control this, little lady. Deep breaths. If you need to talk or vent you can e-mail me :)
Shannon at The Warrior Muse, co-host of the 2012 #atozchallenge! Twitter: @AprilA2Z
anyway, it could be good to start again with a fresh idea. as i enter contests & query, i get the feeling my book isnt a hot commodity & i may have to shelve it & work on another...
Also you say a lot that your book is pointless and the story is pointless if the book doesn't play out in exactly this way. I doubt that this is true. Keep thinking. You'll figure it out.
Maybe the immortals came from somewhere else? I don't know about you but aliens have never been mine thing. But maybe there were people before Adam and Eve who became the immortals that are lost in the bible? Maybe they originate from Satan's first creations?
As far as getting down to writing it. The boy and I are starting something you might be interested in:) We're going to start hosting word wars every day. Everyone who wants to participate writes for an hour, all at the same time, and tries to write more words than the other. Turning it into a competition definitely motivates me more! We're going to be working out the details today so let me know if you'd be interested:)