Novelists live their lives with characters and plot lines running through their heads. That can be great fun. It can also make you a bit nuts.
I’m often asked what I do when I get a great idea for a new book while writing my current WIP (work-in-progress). Other than jotting down a few notes, I try to ignore them. Why? Because the next book is always so tempting over the one I’m currently struggling with … er … I mean, currently writing.
Picture it this way.
The WIP is like a toddler who has thrown herself down on the floor at the local grocery store and is screaming and wailing and slapping hands and feet on the black-and-white tiles of Aisle 7. You (the author) would like nothing better than to run away from the scene. It is so embarrassing. How could you possibly be the parent of this unruly child? (Doesn't mean you don't love the little tyrant. Just means you wish she would behave.)
The new idea, however, is like that baby in the womb. Precious. Perfect. Desperately wanted. You just know she will excel all the way through life, never causing you a moment of embarrassment or doubt or grief or headaches. There is nothing but potential in her future. She will be admired and praised and beautiful and intelligent. She could even grow up to be President!!!
You forget that, after the perfect new idea is birthed, it will soon become a toddler.
Sigh….
I'm a little better than one-third of the way into my WIP. She hasn't been terribly unruly yet, but I'm beginning to catch a glimpse every now and then of toddler-rebellion in her eyes.
Did I mention my ideas for my next series? Brilliant. Precious. Perfect.
~robin
Whew Robin!
ReplyDeleteAfter reading how you cope with your new ideas for your future books,while still working on your current book,I have definitely decided I will be quite happy to remain as the reader,and YOU as the writer! Good luck dear lady. I'll be watching the shelf!:)
LOL! Thanks, Rosie! I love my readers.
ReplyDeleteLOL. Absolutely loved this post, Robin. All of it so true--a perfect analogy. I'm fighting my own unruly child at the moment, so you began my day with a laugh.
ReplyDeleteBefore those frowning people at the grocery story say, "Why doesn't that mother get her badly behaved child under control," I'm off to try and do just that--I'm sure you're doing the same! ~Judy
Judith, I wasn't going to say a word about getting your child under control. Although I wish you would. Those screams are starting to give me a headache. LOL!
ReplyDeleteRobin, my toddler doesn't even want to go into the grocery store and he's known about it for some time since we plan things out at our house. :D
ReplyDeleteTracie
Love this analogy, Robin! And just think...after you ladies get these toddlers under control, the darlings will appear as perfect little angels for the rest of us to see. *smile*
ReplyDeleteHugs, Patti Jo
LOVE the post, Robin. I completely agree with all but one small detail: The process doesn't make writers a "little nuts." Most of us are certifiable. But it all makes sense. Real toddlers grow up; writers deal with the "Terrible Two's" for decades!
ReplyDeleteCathy
Tracie, you crack me up, girlfriend!
ReplyDeletePatti Jo, your "perfect little angels" caused me to see my WIP in a pink tutu at a dance rehearsal. LOL!
Shhh, Cathy. I didn't want to scare people beyond a "little nuts." The things my husband can tell people.
What a great post--comparing our incomplete manuscripts to screaming toddlers. The grass is always greener . . . I've been working on mine so long, I think it's grown to the teenager stage. LOL - Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteOh dear. Deborah, now I have this image of that tantrum in the grocery store being thrown by a teenager. Horrors!!!!! LOL!
ReplyDelete