The Glass: Half Full, Half Empty, or Cracked?

[Dana King]

(Also posted on One Bite at a Time.)

Writers’ opinions of their work in progress fluctuate like an amusement park ride with an operator methed to the eyeballs. “This might be the best thing I’ve ever written” can change to “What a piece of shit,” and then to “It doesn’t suck” within the course of three days. (Fewer, if certain substances are indulged.)

Inactivity has its own effect. An entire week was lost earlier this month, due to my daughter’s high school graduation and its preparation. During that time, my current WIP was considered (by me) to wander, have pointless dialog, an unconvincing plot, and outdated characters.

The following week saw my usual allotment of AIC (Ass In Chair) time, and perceptions improved. Feedback from my First Listener (aka my Beloved Spousal Equivalent) was good, the characters were fully formed, and what had been holes in the plot became time well spent on character development, though I changed not a word.

This week saw family and social obligations lead to missing four days, and, as I type this, the book sucks watermelons through a garden hose.

What I read also has an effect, though it’s much more unpredictable. Reading dreck on a good day can be disheartening. (How is this schmuck published and I’m not?) Reading dreck on a bad day can be encouraging. (Hell, even shit I wouldn’t read aloud in an empty room is better than this. There must be hope for me.)

Reading a good book on a good day can be inspiring. (This is the caliber of writing I want to do.) Reading a good book on a bad day can be depressing. (What chance do I have if this is the competition?)

No wonder writers drink.

[John McFetridge]

For me it has become almost predictable - I start out with an idea I really like, I get some momentum, I like it then it becomes an unworkable mess, just terrible, beyond hope and then I start to think there might be a way to make it work.

It took my wife to point out to me that this happens with every book.

[I. J. Parker]

Yes, I think Jack is probably right. The momentum of the story tends to carry the current novel forward. There is excitement in that. Then comes the revision and you sweat bullets. Then you sell it and it comes back to you as it's readied for publication. Now you have some distance. Having sold it should be encouraging (except for the fact that a lot of crap is being published). In my case, I start hyperventilating because at this point I make the "final" changes. After that it's too late, and I may stand there with egg on my face. But I'm getting better at judging my own books, so there is some hope, I think.

[Jack Getze]

The great baseball pitcher Satchel Paige (sp?) said never look back, something might be gaining on you. Good advice for writers, I think. Forge on, one day at a time.