Um ...
Yes, um ...
That's what I think when I open my WIP.
There's a stink stuck to the last word I wrote. It's like a bad oder with no smell. Like a dog whistle. Deafening for the dog, but to non-dog species, its silence. You see what I'm getting at? I can't move forward. When I read the last couple of sentences I wrote, I screw up my nose - because it smells bad - but I can't figure out what it smells like. All I know is, that it smells bad enough for me to want to close the door on it. I can't continue. All I want to do is edit what I've already written. I LOVE what I've already written. So what's the problem? I don't know what the problem is. All I know is that the problem stinks.
Anyone got a peg?
I hate it when this happens. Though I'm sure to others it is perfect...but in your mind there is something there that you just can't put your finger on. Been there. If it keeps me from moving forward I end up doing a read through from the beginning until I find the problem. But that's just me. Good luck! Love the picture by the way!
ReplyDeleteI know that feeling. It's like a pebble in your shoe that you can't see. Drives you crazy, you don't wanna walk on until you get the sucker out but you can't find the problem.
ReplyDeleteImagine writing your MS in bits and pieces. And then finding you have many skunks. A full-on stink attack.
ReplyDeleteGo back to where it doesn't stink and start again.
ReplyDeleteAnd if that doesn't work, call an exterminator.
I can relate all to well to this! I currently have the same issue... well I'm beginning to think it's me because all of my books are suffering at the moment, except one. I know the beginning for it and it's perfect but the others are really giving me a hard time...
ReplyDeleteI think I need a writervention.
Hmm. I think Alex has a good idea. Can you start again from the last point where you still felt the writing was inspired?
ReplyDeleteI like Alex's idea. Wish I could be more help...but I think at some point all of us writers can't quite put a finger on whats wrong until we've mulled it over a while, and left it alone to come back to...
ReplyDeleteStop editing until you're done! The first few drafts always stink, and if you go back to fix them you'll never finish because you'll just get discouraged. So finish the entire thing, then edit the entire thing (it will still stink) then edit it again (will still stink) and about the 4th time through it may stink less. Can you tell I like large scale edits?
ReplyDeleteYep, I say put on a nose plug and keep on going. I know it's hard because I've been there but it's the best course of action until the draft is finished
ReplyDeleteWhen that happens to my WIP, the funk follows me around until I fix it. I use the Alex method.
ReplyDeleteUgh, this is where I am right now. If you figure out how to fix it...let me know? :) Please? :)
ReplyDeleteMaybe you're forcing things in one direction and the wip is going somewhere else. Use the Alex method and go back to where you and wip agreed.
ReplyDeleteNot a fun place! Best of luck.
I've been going through this lately too. I pretty much hate everything I have though.
ReplyDeleteI have the same problem, but I think something in the subplot has gone over its expiration date. I need to find it, toss it in the trash, and shop for a fresh ingredient to take its place.
ReplyDeleteI've got an appt. today, but I'll email you about tomorrow in a bit. Can't wait for the swap. Stank and all :D
It just takes time. Like when my dog gets himself sprayed by a skunk (the silly brat is trying to make friends with it), I put some distance between him and me for a while. Take a break from the manuscript and things will sort out for you down later down the road.
ReplyDeleteThat's when I have my crit buddy take a look at it. She can always find the stink for me. =)
ReplyDeletecan you close your eyes/hold your nose and forget about it while you push through writing, then come back and fix it after getting your groove back?
ReplyDeleteI do that sometimes.
Then sometimes I waste LOADS of time running around bloofing off. (blog goofing off... ;)
Do you want a round peg and square hole or vice versa?
ReplyDeleteHate it when that happens...
I like Alex’s advice. Then get some tomato juice for the rest of it.
ReplyDeleteI say spray some febreeze and keep going.
ReplyDeleteI highlight the portion in red or yellow on my manuscript and keep going. I'll leave it for edits. HOpefully by then, something will come to you.
ReplyDeleteCD
I'd suggest hide it somewhere and don't look at it for a few days, maybe longer. Then when you go back to it you may be able to see it with a fresh outlook and can spot the problem :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a creative way to say "writer's block." So just make yourself write something. Keep going, even if you're sure it sucks until you get past it. Save it under another file name if you want. Just keep going. I usually find that once I go back, it isn't as bad as I thought it would be and I'm over that sticky spot.
ReplyDeleteI like the advice to hide it for a few days then go back to it, it will look alot better.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
This never seems to bother me, but then again, I don't have a sense of smell either. :)
ReplyDeleteI feel for you and your struggles. Maybe another set of eyes?
An aggravating feeling :-( I wish I had the cure. I DO KNOW your writing doesn't stink, so maybe you just need a bit of a break from that particular WIP.
ReplyDeleteToo funny. And very depressing at the same time. /:
ReplyDeleteA bad smell came into my room last night when I was writing. Needless to say, I didn't get much accomplished... The only cure is trying again the next day.
Those naughty skunks! Try skipping forward and starting another chapter/scene and then return to the problem piece when the smell has gone.
ReplyDeleteThose naughty skunks! Try skipping forward and starting another chapter/scene and then return to the problem piece when the smell has gone.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry! This stinks! *shifty* I think you should highlight it with a note it needs fixing and press on. You will know better how to fix it when you know what comes next. Skip ahead in the story if you need to, just leaving a note as to the gist of what needs to fill the gap when you get back to it.
ReplyDeletePut a sentence up in a post and get folk to write five words after it. That might inspire something. Or do as Alex suggests.
ReplyDeleteGood luck.