tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post2094356826282143917..comments2023-12-26T18:33:04.681-08:00Comments on Writability: Discussion: Do You Finish Every Novel Idea You Start?Gabe (Ava Jae)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04778524723148508140noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-54843358474788988762013-05-29T20:42:24.622-07:002013-05-29T20:42:24.622-07:00I have dumped several projects before I started wr...I have dumped several projects before I started writing, but I've also dumped projects after I've started the experimental writing stage. I suppose for me, some need a little more testing before I decide whether or not to continue with them. <br /><br /><br />P.S.: I have yet to come across any messed up comment sections, but I forgive you all the same. :)Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-62138073855060058422013-05-29T20:40:42.949-07:002013-05-29T20:40:42.949-07:00Oh wow. I completely understand what you mean abou...Oh wow. I completely understand what you mean about losing motivation. When you start to dread your writing sessions, you know it might be a good time to take a step back and re-evaluate what you're doing. <br /><br /><br />On a happier note, I wish you the best of luck with your new WIP!Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-75383778398952673132013-05-28T11:59:14.995-07:002013-05-28T11:59:14.995-07:00Most of the time I dump a project before I start w...Most of the time I dump a project before I start writing. Then again, I'm an architect, as they say. So I know my world and characters very well before I start. That way I know in advance if I'll like them. <br /><br />Yet, I do get that for some people it works better to get a feel of the story/characters through writing. Also, I don't think we should see that as a failure. I think Stephen King once said that he gets lots of story ideas but only writes those who stick with him for some weeks/months. <br /><br />PS: Sorry, I fucked up that comment section of the previous post. Somehow I keep ending up with different ways of logging in xDJeremy Feijtennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-83617435745393728422013-05-15T17:23:55.250-07:002013-05-15T17:23:55.250-07:00Hey there! I completely agree--I think writing out...Hey there! I completely agree--I think writing out the ideas, even (maybe even especially?) those are put away before completion is all part of the process of getting to the work that <i>does</i> make it to completion. And if you can take those incomplete ideas and incorporate them into something else, even better.Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-5191601902656849642013-05-15T17:16:03.670-07:002013-05-15T17:16:03.670-07:00Hmm, sounds like you may be dealing with some Shin...Hmm, sounds like you may be dealing with some Shiny New Idea Syndrome. That can definitely complicate matters and make completing novels even more difficult. I understand what you mean about the new ideas often being even better, though.Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-84544117410601184792013-05-15T17:12:28.065-07:002013-05-15T17:12:28.065-07:00Mining for material is a great use of abandoned pr...Mining for material is a great use of abandoned projects! Thanks for sharing, Jen. :)Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-12074352511718514902013-05-15T17:10:52.466-07:002013-05-15T17:10:52.466-07:00Hmm, I've done that too--finished novels, then...Hmm, I've done that too--finished novels, then moved on to something else and left it to sit (possibly forever). But I thoroughly believe that even if every WIP doesn't get polished, you still learn from the experience nevertheless.Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-42103022495396657042013-05-15T15:38:00.179-07:002013-05-15T15:38:00.179-07:00I've done this with many projects, and you'...I've done this with many projects, and you're right in that it is nothing to be ashamed of. For every story/poem/song/thought that gets worked to completion there are dozens (hundreds? thousands?) that never get past the dozen hours worth of work or so. Some get returned to or amalgamated into other works; some are still wandering the ether. I've really enjoyed the few times that I've come across an old idea and was able to make something of it, as if I'd been working on it unconsciously all along.Michael Constanzanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-27913480437531899032013-05-15T13:57:08.248-07:002013-05-15T13:57:08.248-07:00I've been writing novels since I was eight yea...I've been writing novels since I was eight years old and I've probably only finished two, and they certainly weren't that good. Usually a new idea comes along, and it's always better than the last.Sarah Anne Fosterhttp://twitter.com/Sarah_A_Fosternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-4614929067969771222013-05-15T13:24:36.833-07:002013-05-15T13:24:36.833-07:00I haven't finished every novel I've starte...I haven't finished every novel I've started.....yet. I think I have only one that I'm actually "abandoning". I.e., I don't like the project as such, so I'll mine it for material at a later time.Jen Donohuenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-26224903430795869622013-05-15T12:06:49.661-07:002013-05-15T12:06:49.661-07:00I've finished them and then abandoned them. Th...I've finished them and then abandoned them. That was probably the worst of it. But yeah, I've chucked many ideas mid-stream and composted the leftovers into new projects.Daniel Swensenhttp://www.surlymuse.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-81858858587976968742013-05-15T09:25:01.705-07:002013-05-15T09:25:01.705-07:00That's an interesting way of handling it. Than...That's an interesting way of handling it. Thanks for sharing your experience, Carla!Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-23969053163703793012013-05-15T08:13:35.867-07:002013-05-15T08:13:35.867-07:00I always take notes about new ideas, but if I star...I always take notes about new ideas, but if I start writing something is because I have decided how long I have to work on it and to publish it when it's ready. If I'm not sure about this, the idea is not ready to become a novel, so I don't even start.Carlahttp://www.anakina.netnoreply@blogger.com