Under a curse

Under a curse

So, I go through this cycle when I start a new project.  I think of it as my very own personal creators curse.

• Step 1 is “Wow, this is a really good idea!”
• Step 2 is “This is just so much fun! I love this idea.
• Step 3 is “Huh. Hm. Well. This is a good idea. Well, I mean, I like it. But…”
• Step 4 is “OMG, why do I even think I can do this! This is the WORST IDEA EVER!”
• Step 5 is “Okay, I’ll just finish this draft and that’s it. No more.”
• STep 6 is “Well, this isn’t so bad. I mean, with a little work…”
• Step 7 is “You know, this is actually pretty good. Not amazing, but…yeah…”
• Step 8 is “I AM SO SICK OF LOOKING AT THIS THING! Whatever! It’s done! I don’t care!”

Right now, I am firmly in Step 4.  The “creative doldrums” usually hits me in the outline stage. And I’m right in the middle of the outline stage. About two weeks ago or so, I really loved this idea.  Now that I’m working it out, I’m less enamored.  I know from experience that I go through this every time. What it takes to get out of this slump is to keep working on it.

I just gotta power through it.

If I switch to working on a different project, I will end up in the same place with that new project. So, I know it’s best to keep working on this project.

There’s a lot to be learned every time you complete a book. You get better at creating sell-able ideas. You get better at writing.  You get better at finishing. Being able to finish writing a book is an incredible valuable skill. There are an endless amount of books that have been started and never finished.

No one buys an unfinished book.

So, if you’ll excuse me, I have a book to go finish.

TTy’allLater.
~W.H.