Breaking up Is Hard to Do
I decided it
was time for a break up last week. We weren't working out. I tried. I really
did. I wanted it to work. We'd been trying to stay together since last year. We
would gain some headway, and then everything would change. It was such a
love-hate relationship. So, on Friday, I realized I was done. I couldn't go on
any more. Perhaps we can remain friends, but not right now. We need time apart.
A lot of time. Months, maybe a year or two. It's both our faults and this is
for the best.
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| Mock cover |
I'm talking
about my novel Virtuoso. I wrote that
novel for NaNoWriMo 2009. Off and on last year and off and on most of this
year, I tried rewriting it. The first ten chapters are pretty good, but it was
falling apart after that. I didn't love the story any more. Nadia wasn't the
same. I wasn't the same. I realized in order to fix the story I either had to
take out the paranormal elements, which would make it a completely different
story, or take out Derek. Right now, I'm just too tired of it. Maybe one day
I'll take those first ten chapters and continue from there without Derek. The
middle and the ending would be different in a lot of places. The novel will
probably be more novella-length, but it could work. We just need time apart,
though.
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| Mock Cover |
So now I went
back to my first love: The Phoenix
Prophetess. I read through it on Friday-Sunday and realized how much I
loved it. My passion was reignited. I can't wait each day to work on it. I have
a month to edit/polish it, but I can do it. I want to do it. I should've worked
on it instead of Virtuoso, but I
heard first novels rarely do well. Oh, the writing is a bit rough, but the
story is sound and exciting. Oh, gods, seriously, this story is so awesome. I
started The Phoenix Prophetess on
January 15, 2009 and I finished the first draft on September 15, 2009. Two
years later and I'm editing it, loving it.
I don't know
what will happen when I pitch The Phoenix
Prophetess at the James River Writers Conference in October, but I feel in
my heart that I made the right decision. Whatever happens, The Phoenix Prophetess is the novel I want to represent me as a
writer. I'm proud to put my name on it.
Breaking up
may be hard to do, but sometimes it really is for the best.
Have you
broken up with a story before?
10 comments:
I have indeed, several times! Like you, I worry that the one I'm working on now, which I love, will fail because it's the dreaded first. Then I realised that it has to be this one, because I only ever want to send my best out there.
Best of luck with the editing.
I'm happy you started work on TPP again. I can see you smiling from here! I'm getting better at breaking up with my stories. It use to be very hard. I forced myself to stick with them even if they weren't working out. I know how to put my foot down now, though. My stories are better for it.
Cherie, I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you! Hope to see you at the conference.
Breaking up with a story can be so hard and yet rewarding too in a way.
Love the mock cover for Phoenix!
I won't say I've broken up with a story yet, but there are several that have been set aside because I needed a break from them. Sometimes a separation can make me long to see that old friend after some time has passed. Who knows? You and your story may eventually be reunited again and things will work out much better.
Lee
Tossing It Out
Sometimes it's necessary to get some distance on a project. I'm sure what you've learned from writing this novel will help you in your future projects.
I've tossed out novels before. I think that this is something every writer must do and it's hard because you spend so much time working on it that you want to make it right.
I've never been through a break-up (I wish!) so I can't say I know how it feels. My current WIP is my first and I can't imagine having to go through the breakup thing. Like you with Phoenix Prophetess, I'm in love. It's true, I love it. This is my baby. I wish you all the best in pitching and I really am sorry about the break up.
Yep my WIP has been shelved in favour of a new project. I think it was a fledgling learning curve experience that I may go back to someday. Good luck your Phoenix Prophetess
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