Tuesday, March 22, 2011

The Butterflies are Back

Sometimes, you get an idea... a shiny new idea that you are excited about... but for some reason, you can't get it off the ground.   This has been happening to me a lot lately. 

I get an idea.  I get that flittery, jittery feeling that comes when you know an idea is good.  I start writing.  And then... BAM!   I lose all enthusiasm for the project.

This occurred recently with a story that I'll refer to as HA.  (I don't know why, but I am suddenly tight-lipped about sharing titles.  I blabbed GOLDI ROCKS all over the blogosphere, but now I am being cautious)

So, anyway, Becky and I got the idea for HA in one of our brainstorming sessions.  We meet on Instant Message and just throw out anything that pops into our heads.  One thing led to another and DING DING DING, we hit the jackpot.  or so I thought.   It was clever.  It was fun.  It had a marketing hook   I got all tingly inside.  

Becky and I began outlining and drafting.  From the beginning, we couldn't agree on anything.  We spent an hour arguing about whether the MC should be male or female (I kid you not)  We had lengthy discussions about species (we finally decided upon gopher)  And we were conflicted about whether or not to have a refrain (we both liked the "idea" of a refrain, but it kept feeling forced.)

We got about halfway through a super rough draft and I absolutely HATED it.

So, we did  what anyone would do in our situation.

We ate a LOT of chocolate.

Then we gave ourselves some distance.   We worked on other things.

And when we were ready to take another look, I had an epiphany.  The MC needed to be a chicken.  I'm not sure why, but he just did.

We started over completely and we only have a few stanzas, but already it feels much more "right."

I am once again excited to work on it.  The butterflies are back!

23 comments:

Shannon O'Donnell said...

LOL. You are too cute for words! :-)

Catherine Denton said...

I've SO been there! Ugh. But I'm glad your butterflies are back.

And that the MC is a chicken. The word "chicken" makes me laugh.
My Blog

Kelly H-Y said...

I completely understand! LOVE that it turned out to be a chicken you needed ... what a riot. Glad to hear it's back on track! :-)

Lauren F. Boyd said...

I know what you mean about getting stuck and needing to step away from a project. I have found that, like you, once I come back to it later on, I can usually fix the problems with relative ease.

Enjoy working on this new version! I hope it turns out just the way you want!

Lauren F. Boyd said...

And thanks for stopping by my blog, Corey!

http://laurenspathtopub.blogspot.com/

Little Ms J said...

Dude, I love chickens. Of course it should have been a chicken! Ok, so I don't love real chickens, but I love animated chickens. Nothing is better than a talking, walking chicken.

One Woman's Thoughts said...

The chicken will lead the the egg of more inspiration. Cute story.

Rebecca Gomez said...

I wasn't really sold on the chicken idea until we came up with that one adorable line. Sometimes that's all it takes!

Jean Reidy said...

Ha ha. Thanks for this Corey! I was having this same feeling today - like I was revising the life out of a PB and it was dying before my eyes. But I still love the idea of it. So I'm going to stick with it. It may not be ready for a while, but hopefully that epiphany you spoke of will come.

Megan Frances Abrahams said...

Apparently, chocolate is an integral part of the writing process.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like it will be a fun book to read when it is all finished.
: )

Hardygirl said...

This is great. I love "process" stories.

And, I totally spit Grape Nuts all over my keyboard at the word "chicken". So, yeah. I'd say you've found your MC.

Go, go, go!!!!!!

sf

Kristin said...

Oh my word. This. Is. My. Life. ha! I love something then get stuck and am *so* close to making it work. But can't quite get there.
So happy for your breakthrough!

Anonymous said...

I happen to be extremely pro-chicken. AND pro-butterflies.

Carla said...

Yay for the butterflies! I am so extremely curious about your new project...I'm glad it's coming together for you!

Carla

MG Higgins said...

Yes, this happens to me all the time! I wish I knew why exciting ideas fizzle.

Kim said...

soar, butterflies. soar.

Chickens are good. Very, very good. :)

Tana said...

LOL! I love how chocolate helped you brain storm and them the MC became a chicken. I want in on your magical world. Just for one day Corey, let me in!!!

Unknown said...

Woo hoo! Sometimes all you need is a little time and distance. And chocolate. Lots of chocolate!

Julie Hedlund said...

A chicken is much better than a gopher. Whenever I think of gophers I think of the pool scene in Caddyshack - lol!

Congrats on netting those butterflies!

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

Yay for chocolates and chickens. :)

Joanne R. Fritz said...

Golly, this happens to me nearly every time I start a new project. I have to keep reminding myself nothing is wasted.

YAY for chickens! Chickens rule!

Go Corey and Becky!

Julie Musil said...

Yay for chickens and an epiphany! I'm so glad you got your groove back.