Friday, August 21, 2009

Out of Sorts

I'm feeling itchy,
kind of twitchy,
new WIP is a mess.

Becoming b*tchy.
Things are glitchy.
Hope its PMS

Not sure what is going on. I usually have NO ideas. But when I do miraculously get one, I know exactly how to execute it. Now I have TWO ideas. And I am completely stymied.

I can't figure out what the style or structure should be. First person? Third person? Rhyme? Prose? For the first time ever, I feel like there are too many possibilities. It's overwhelming!

This is my STRENGTH. What do you do when your strong suit fails you?

22 comments:

storyqueen said...

Oh Corey! I feel your pain. For me, that is always my biggest issue...the structure.
What structure, what form will the idea take? That is why I walk around with a page full of ideas that I haven't written out yet....the structure eludes me.

What I do is just to start....save all drafts, try it out a few different ways. Usually, I will figure it out pretty soon, or I put it on my idea page to think about another day.

Yesterday, I started something....quickly hated it, changed it, looked at it today and decided to play with the first version some more. You never know.

Good luck!

Shelley

Susan R. Mills said...

I've got the same problem right now. I have three ideas for the same WIP, and I can't decide which direction to go. I've put it aside for now in hopes that when I go back to it, I'll know which way to go. Good luck!

K said...

I think I feel this the majority of the time with my WIPs! I usually try MANY different drafts, with each draft being completely different from the last. It takes a lot of time, however, since I write each draft several days apart from the last.
I love your poem! Very creative ;)

Tess said...

Chocolate. And naps. And then some more chocolate.

that works for me. honestly, I usually just need to take a little break and ruminate on the ideas. maybe try them in different forms and see which feels most natural for me.

love the poem, btw. very funny :D

Tana said...

Corey, I usually try an d hone in on the MC and see if I can clearly hear the voice, if not third person's a great place to be!

BJW said...

Run for the hills. Regroup. : )

Casey Something said...

I already mentioned indecision is my WEAK point, so I'm no help. I just hope you can get it figured!

*Hope it's PMS*

LMAO.

Word-veri: mitaing - maybe it's telling you (or me!) it's time to have a Mai Tai?

MG Higgins said...

When I'm in this situation I just start writing, with no expectations, no judgment. Literary nonsense is okay. Just assume you're going to throw this "experimentation" out and no one will ever read it but you.

Your characters will emerge. They'll begin telling their story as it needs to be told.

Unknown said...

OMG! Love love love the poem!

Unknown said...

PS: Have you considered subbing that poem to SCBWI magazine?

Stephanie Faris said...

So CUTE! I think we all go through this from time to time. I've personally found it happens when I'm trying to force an idea that hasn't quite finished being created in my head yet...

JennyMac said...

HAHAHA. I loved this.

However, post-baby I got on the Mirena IUD...no PMS...no period.

HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rebecca Gomez said...

Corey, maybe you have other strengths that are fighting for a little more attention.

:-)

Sherrie Petersen said...

Good to see you're not talking like Junie B. anymore =) The poem is great. Maybe you should do a PB for grown ups!

Unknown said...

It will come to you. Like a wave. You'll be like... ahhhhhh.

It probably already did....

Corey Schwartz said...

Sherrie,

Ha! Adult PBs? I'd love to! But I don't think there is a market for that. I do give an awesome rhyming Bridesmaid speech though!

Thanks everyone. I am still stuck, but I feel much better about it thanks to all your comments!

Anna C. Morrison said...

Cute poem! And I'm sure it will straighten itself out in your mind. One idea will beat out the other idea.

kah said...

I agree with Tess. Chocolate and naps. Take two of those (each) and reevaluate. Don't worry, I've been emotional and bitchy at myself about my WIP too. I think its part of the process.

Clementine said...

When I get to that point, I take a break. Usually it means that it isn't organized well enough in my mind to put it on paper. Go do something else for awhile.

J.A. Palermo said...

Butt in chair. It's the only sure-fire cure.

Mrs. Major said...

Corey - I have a few margaritas!! After #2, I usually have tunnel vision. Then I have to pull out my trusty notebook.

Corey Schwartz said...

Ah, the old margarita trick! Haven't tried that one yet, but I will!