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skb · 05-06-2018, 07:01 PM

Well, Hubert (was Fabio, was Nigel, was Dudley) is fitting in nicely with the other characters. However, the plot has dug its heels in and refuses to budge. Sigh.

Also, the scanning of hand writing is going well too. I'm so glad I asked.

Anyway, here's the next issue. I've written myself into a corner. Actually more than one corner. Kind of. Sort of like a cross between writer's block and writer's stupidity.

Disaster 1: I've got a short story about 90% finished but when I read it back (after leaving it for a month or two) the male MC has to act like a febrile dumbo for it to work. Damn! It's supposed to be vaguely funny in tone, so flailing doofus has morphed into creepy stalkerish nut case. MC needs a re-write and a slap upside the head. It (the story) has been on my computer in varying states of disarray for years (maybe 6 or 7).

Disaster 2: Story told from different POV (that reveal different things) is really hard to get a grip on. Punching the computer didn't help. Also years (and years) old. Could be my life's work.

Disaster 3: "Sliding doors" type story. Complete rabbit hole. The "what ifs" have gone slightly feral and have locked themselves in the bathroom and are breeding like tribbles.

So. Are these cases of "kill your darlings" (just on a larger scale)? Most of my stuff has been started ages ago - in one case, 11 years ago - and I'm rather attached. Could being "rather attached" be the problem? I'm wondering if they're cases of diminishing returns and they're never going to finish (well).

My problem is, I think, that I really like these crappy, half finished brain explosions. I just can't finish them. Also, I write purely for myself, so no financial imperatives, thank goodness. Otherwise I'd have starved to death about 10 years ago.

The Question (eventually!). What I'm asking is...have you written things that are problematic (characters won't behave, apparent plot holes, your romantic lead turned into a creepy stalkerish nut case) plot-wise and you've just pulled the pin on them? Do you try and salvage? Do you re-work? Do start again?

And yes, this post is part of my procrastination strategy. Well spotted.

05-06-2018, 07:01 PM	#1
skb Evangelist Posts: 401 Karma: 1597305 Join Date: Mar 2010 Device: Ipod G4, MacOS 10.12, Calibre, Pocketbook Touch HD 3	Writing yourself into a corner Well, Hubert (was Fabio, was Nigel, was Dudley) is fitting in nicely with the other characters. However, the plot has dug its heels in and refuses to budge. Sigh. Also, the scanning of hand writing is going well too. I'm so glad I asked. Anyway, here's the next issue. I've written myself into a corner. Actually more than one corner. Kind of. Sort of like a cross between writer's block and writer's stupidity. Disaster 1: I've got a short story about 90% finished but when I read it back (after leaving it for a month or two) the male MC has to act like a febrile dumbo for it to work. Damn! It's supposed to be vaguely funny in tone, so flailing doofus has morphed into creepy stalkerish nut case. MC needs a re-write and a slap upside the head. It (the story) has been on my computer in varying states of disarray for years (maybe 6 or 7). Disaster 2: Story told from different POV (that reveal different things) is really hard to get a grip on. Punching the computer didn't help. Also years (and years) old. Could be my life's work. Disaster 3: "Sliding doors" type story. Complete rabbit hole. The "what ifs" have gone slightly feral and have locked themselves in the bathroom and are breeding like tribbles. So. Are these cases of "kill your darlings" (just on a larger scale)? Most of my stuff has been started ages ago - in one case, 11 years ago - and I'm rather attached. Could being "rather attached" be the problem? I'm wondering if they're cases of diminishing returns and they're never going to finish (well). My problem is, I think, that I really like these crappy, half finished brain explosions. I just can't finish them. Also, I write purely for myself, so no financial imperatives, thank goodness. Otherwise I'd have starved to death about 10 years ago. The Question (eventually!). What I'm asking is...have you written things that are problematic (characters won't behave, apparent plot holes, your romantic lead turned into a creepy stalkerish nut case) plot-wise and you've just pulled the pin on them? Do you try and salvage? Do you re-work? Do start again? And yes, this post is part of my procrastination strategy. Well spotted.