Need More Cowbell
So I’m sitting here feeling out of sorts with my WiP. Is it exciting enough? Does it make a reader want to turn the pages? Are there any scenes that make me laugh or read faster the way The Bloggess does when she really gets going (and I’m all yeah I don’t know either). Is this story boring?
So I sit back and get some distance. I’ve been here before. Working on a story always leads me to that place of conviction that I wrote a lot of stinky offal (as opposed to merely awful). I don’t ask for feedback at this stage, because I wouldn’t believe good feedback even if you dumped it on me with a backhoe.
I think it is part of the detachment process. When it has run the course I will be more objective and less personally invested. In other words, feedback will be welcome and conducive to making the story better because I won’t think the story is wonderful or awful.
Other things going on in life can vary the length of this stage, but I am confident it will end. That’s the really cool thing about having completed novels and drafts under my belt. I’ve been through this before and recognize the stages. That brings comfort and patience. Edits are in progress regardless.
“Comfort and patience”. Amen. Two very important emotions when dealing with your work!
You’ve firmly entrenched the skit from Saturday night live with… christopher walkin and the ‘i need more cowbell’, the song keeps going through my head!
@ Merrilee Patience seems to be my lesson to learn in life, lol.
@Cassie Oh yeah. It is still running through my mind days later.