by Shelt Garner
@sheltgarner
These days, I often feel like I’m spinning my wheels when it comes to this novel. I write and write and write and don’t really seem to move very far away from the beginning. This, after several years of development.
But, I think if I look at this situation on the macro level, I’m doing ok. A lot of all this re-writing comes from this being my first novel and no matter what, I would probably be in this situation because I just don’t have any idea what I’m doing.
And, yet, I’ve come to a decision — I need to switch things up now. I have to do something, anything to force my hand. I’ve been developing and writing in a delusional vacuum that the point has come that I need to finally start to move forward.
Some of the problem, also, is I came up with a concept that three years ago I simply did not have the ability to write. Now, I’m far closer. I’m still nervous that someone is going to steal a creative march on me somehow, but even if they do, I can always piviot to the three or four other concepts I have. It’s going to hurt like a bitch to do that, but it hasn’t happen yet.
I just have to keep pressing forward. I have to believe. I have to start to lock things down and stop demanding I write things that are “perfect” in the first draft.
We’ll see, I guess.
