So here's a personal update:
I've been writing pretty intensively since summer started and I realized the other day in a conversation about my writer's block that I don't actually have writer's block.
Let me explain that.
I know that, if I get the chance to publish more than one book, this concept is a multi-book series. I'm looking at 2 or 3 books total. My first book (which I'm currently writing) I divided into two parts. I had an epic ending for part 1 and I was struggling to write part 2. Basically I reached a point in my writing of book 1 where all my story ideas were ideal for a sequel. I couldn't come up with anything to fill the gap between where I had left off and everything that I had in my head for book 2. I thought it was just the worst case of writer's block I had ever had.
Turns out, I was wrong. So wrong.
I realized that the reason I couldn't fill the gap between where I was and book 2 is because there is no gap. What I was considering part 2 of book 1 was actually just book 2. I had written a great ending to part 1 not because I'm really good at writing part 1 endings, but because it was the end of a book. I had actually accidentally started book 2.
But don't get me wrong. I haven't finished book 1.
The basic structure and bones of the book is done. It has a beginning and an end. But it isn't done. What I've been doing lately is filling in some scenes where there are awkward gaps in the story or where it seems like the story moves too fast. I've also been doing a lot of editing to fix the huge, glaring problems I have with the order and construction of the story. (Little detail editing can come later). Even with taking out that "part 2" that's really book 2, I am still looking at a 60,000-70,000 word book. But it's a weird feeling to think that when I finish that, the book, barring some major editing, will be done.
My point here is that sometimes talking through your problem when writing can really help. It might have taken me forever to figure out my problem if I hadn't talked about it. It was only through talking about my writer's block with my mom and a fellow writer friend that it came to me. I was literally mid-sentence when explaining my writer's block that I realized that I didn't really have writer's block.
It's two birds with one stone: I can successfully finish book 1 now and I already have the first 4 chapters or so of book 2 and know where I'm going with it.
I probably could have preemptively solved this problem by creating an outline or story arc, but I didn't. I've never outlined anything in my life. I never do drafts or outlines with school essays. I just don't think that way. If outlines work for you, hey, more power to you. They probably help a lot. But I never use them. When I started writing this book, I had no idea where the story was going, so I just started writing. Trying to outline would have discouraged me and even if I came up with a good outline, I would have been petrified of deviating from it. That just doesn't work for me. The way I see it, it was either do more planning in the beginning, or more editing later. I don't feel like I'm ending up doing more work in the end, just doing the same amount of work at a different time in the writing process.
So basically, if you're stuck, try talking to someone. You don't even have to get into specific plot points. Just explain your problem to someone else. Chances are, you're not really stuck, you're just coming at it from the wrong angle. It's hard to recognize that when you're so deep inside your own head. It's like stepping back from your writing for a week or so before editing. You come back with a clear head..
Anyway, back to writing...
KMG
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