Lately I’ve been more tinkering with my WIP than writing, it seems. Not that I’m not writing, because I am. It just is going very, very slow right now, and I’m used to blazing through first drafts. I keep reminding myself that it’s not a race, and that I don’t have to keep blasting out first drafts in a month. It’s okay to take my time.
I think this is one of those patience-learning moments. You know, patience isn’t all about waiting on other people. It’s also about allowing yourself the time necessary to do your story justice. Whether that’s writing it, rewriting it, revising it, or whatever.
I’m not really ready to talk about what my new WIP is about yet. It’s a big story, and it’s going to take a lot of time and effort for me to get it right. And I’ve (for the most part) accepted that.
It’s funny though how taking my time with this manuscript has opened me up to all sorts of new feelings about my writing. See, not long ago I was pulled out of drafting for a couple weeks to deal with another project. Which was fine, it gave me some needed space to sort through a plot issue on the WIP anyway.
Thing is, when I came back I was cringing the whole time. That feeling that omg this is going to suck even worse than I remembered, and why do I even try… I’m guessing I’m not the only one around here who gets that way. But then I read what I had written, and lo and behold, but it doesn’t suck! Don’t get me wrong, it’s not anything fantastic, but it isn’t nearly as bad as my mind had convinced me it would be.
And this is a rambly post witout much of a point other than not to rush yourself. Especially when you’re in this zone of freedom where deadlines are only of your own making. If the story feels too big, give your brain time to wrap around it and turn it into something manageable. It helps, believe it or not.
