Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Novel Burn Out?

This is a phenomenon I'm experiencing lately. Is it possible to completely "burn out" on a project? You get to a point where you know you have to look at it, but you'd rather stick a pin through your eye?
Okay, perhaps that was a bit severe, but I am thinking it IS possible. I have a story I've written, and I thought the first draft was...Okay.

Second draft--MUCH BETTER.

Third draft...PERFECTION! Hurrah! I'd written a fabulous story!

Then I sent it to a handful of trusted readers.

I'm currently on the SIXTH draft, and I think I'd rather change poopy diapers or clean toilets before I sit down and pull it up again. I'm sick of it. I'm too close to it.

So, the next question becomes, how long do I give it, before I look at it again? Because it must be looked at. I'm thisclose to being finished--and it is a "worth it" story, in my humble opinion.

Tick tock, tick tock...

2 comments:

  1. I try to leave anywhere between two weeks and two months in between drafts.

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  2. It's okay to take a day or two off. :) Give it some time. Work on something else. Let your brain rest from that story and when you come back it, you'll be excited about it again. :)

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