I wish I could say that I am chugging along on my WIP but the truth is that although I recognize the distractions filling my life right now, I am unable to do anything to stop them. It has been impossible to clear enough space to write and impossible to clear my mind enough of lists and phone calls that need to be made. Sitting down in front of the computer these days feels like a chore.
I’ve been thinking about the manuscript. In particular the main plot line and the main theme and agonizing over whether they are sufficient to carry the book. I have a lot of story and enough things happen and my MC is changed throughout the book and at the end has come to some sort of resolution. Sounds do-able, right? It’s just a question of approaching it the right way, striking the right tone. That’s what I’ve been wrestling with. And it’s not as if I want it to be some YA version of the ODYSSEY. I’m aiming for entertaining, diverting, and yes- thought-provoking but not heavy. HEAVY.
However this isn’t even the dilemma I’m speaking of. It’s just part and parcel of hewing a book out of a bunch of ideas and words. I’ve done it before and I’ll do it again.
What’s been aggravating these last few weeks is that when I have found a bit of time for myself, usually on a hike, another book makes an appearance. Actually it’s the main character of another book. I love him. I am dying to write his story. He feels real to me.
I love the characters in my WIP of course. It’s been a long haul and many years to get to this point where I feel as if I am capable of telling their story, but the other character, the boy, is so vital and in so much trouble and his world is so interesting…
I tell myself that I will be able to write him just as soon as I finish this other book- which let me say I am also dying to write.
I want to write them both. NOW. I know there are some amazing people out there who can work on multiple things. Some poetry in the morning, a novel in the afternoon, an erotic vampire book in the twilight hours, but I’m not one of them. I need to concentrate 100% on my WIP or I’ll end up with SHIT.
So in the meantime I am being very firm with myself, and taking copious notes for the moment when I’ll be able to devote all my time to the story waiting in the wings.
Sometimes I worry that there will never be time enough to write all the tales I wish to tell. And what a stupid waste of time that is.
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