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What am I waiting for?
By ALongLook in The Write Stuff
November 4, 2007

There is nothing worse for this writer than a blank piece of paper or computer screen, with no ideas readily flowing from the brain to the fingers.

And, weirdly, I kind of have the opposite problem. I have a completed 400-page manuscript, a novel based on a true story. The true story it's based on - a triple homicide - has recently had some new developments (an indictment after 15 years), and I believe telling the true story is now the way to go.

And it's an exciting time. It's what I have been waiting for, for 15 years.

Do I take the novel and X out all the pure fiction and start there, or start from scratch?

And why do I continue to put off working on it? Do I lack the discipline necessary to be a successful writer? Hell, I wrote 400 pages (100,000 words or more), but facing the task of having to do it again...am I capable?

I go back to something I mentioned in my first or second blog, advice from a writers' conference. Bum glue. Get my butt in front of the computer and just do it!

Of course, after the Pats vs. the Colts and the Cowboys games...oh dear.

I guess I have to make a choice. Am I a writer or a couch potato?

Stay tuned.

Comments


  • BillyMau BillyMau Report a ViolationReport a Violation
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    How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.
    Take it chapter by chapter. How long has it been since you've done re-reads on the stuff. A little time works wonders. You'll probably find out what you want to do just by reading through it again. When you do start revising, do it a chapter at a time. You might also want to keep a revision journal. You can log ideas and it will also help as a continuity reference later on.

    November 4, 2007 at 4:28 p.m.