I do know that these assessments have a lot to do with my mood and pacing. There were some scenes I felt were necessary but I hated writing them, and afterwards I would be down on the book as a whole. Getting to the end of the first draft - and discovering a good line to close on - was almost as exhilarating as being shot at and missed. But I seldom feel quite as satisfied as this. Usually the joy of completion is tempered by an awareness of problems that are not fatal, but annoying, and that are baked into the structure in such a way that they can't be completely fixed by editing.
But this time, for whatever reason, I've been floating around feeling ridiculously self-satisfied for two whole weeks.
Which is not necessarily a good thing.
For one thing, it's made me hyper-critical of the fantasy novel I'm plotting, so I don't want to work on it.
For another, it's caused me to procrastinate on the first proofreading, because when I do that I'll have to accept the reality of an imperfect book rather than the glowing image in my head.
Time to bite the bullet. I'm going to proof the first draft today, and in the process I will almost certainly be reminded that the book I actually wrote is not as good as the book in my head.
It never is. That's something you have to accept. Accept and move on.
You are my idol! I can't imagine going through all this writing a book!!! But you do make your readers happy! BTW, I like your new pic on your blog page header! Cool!
ReplyDeleteOh, despite my flippant attitude towards motivation, actually writing is fun - and a great anti-depressant! Editing, evaluating, proof reading... not quite so much fun, but still beats a day job.
ReplyDeleteThe gap between imagination and execution, especially when it comes to writing. This concept can easily extend beyond writing into other areas like academics, where students often struggle to turn their goals into reality. For those overwhelmed by coursework, the temptation to ask someone to do my online exam for me is understandable, though ethically questionable. The post serves as a reminder that real achievement comes from effort, not shortcuts. Ultimately, transforming ideas into results—whether a novel or an exam—requires discipline and action.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautifully honest reflection on the writing journey! It’s refreshing to see how you’ve embraced the emotional rollercoaster of creating something meaningful. Just like managing complex facilities as an fm service provider uk, writing a book requires structure, resilience, and facing imperfections head-on. Wishing you strength for the proofreading—your story clearly deserves to be told!
ReplyDeleteWhat a deeply relatable and honest reflection on the creative process—thank you for sharing this! The emotional rollercoaster from doubt to satisfaction is something every writer knows too well. That contrast between the “book in your head” and the draft on the page really hits home. And your line about feeling “exhilarated as being shot at and missed” is brilliant! Just like how writers struggle through edits, even top agencies like America SEO Agency know the perfect strategy never comes out in the first draft—it’s all about refining, adapting, and pushing through imperfections. Wishing you the best as you dive into the next phase of your book!
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