Writing Advice | HELL HOUNDS

Ladies and Gents...I'm stuck. I've reached a point where I simply cannot think of anything. Listening to music isn't helping, nor is watching movies or TV shows (these are things that help me write). I simply cannot think of anything to type. Maybe my interest is dropping or it could be a writers block. I don't know. HELL HOUNDS is becoming harder to work on. 




I've been trying to work on it for the past couple of days but my writing is starting to become lazy...that's the best way I can describe it. I took a break from writing HELL HOUNDS last months when the writers block started approaching and figured that after some time passed by that maybe I would be ready to work on it again. But..nope!




My mind is slowly drifting away from HELL HOUNDS and is wanting to venture into something else. The thing is, this novel has been a story that I have been working on for a few years now. Whenever a new idea pops into my head, I tend to set HELL HOUNDS aside. For the first time in three years, I finally completed it last year. My only downfall was that I didn't make the word count long enough (50,100), which isn't long at all, especially for the genre that it is. 

It's been revised multiple times and looked over by beta readers and editors. As I mentioned before, I'm in the process of revising HELL HOUNDS and believe me when I tell you this, I was pumped writing my revision. The new direction that it's going in is much better than before, especially since it's focused on the twin brothers. 

Yet, I can't shake ATTICUS from my mind. It's calling out to me. Begging to be written. 




I know I keep going back and forth between these two, but I feel like I'm at a crossroads. With HELL HOUNDS there is a lot more done in regards to chapter outlines, character profiles, multiple drafts/revisions completed, query letter prepared and even a synopsis. 

ATTICUS has only four chapters completed and various notes.




HELL HOUNDS would appear to be the obvious choice to finish (especially since it's on my goals for 2017 to complete the revision, lol. Along with completing ATTICUS.) Yet, something keeps pulling me away from it. Maybe my drive is loosening? Nah. I highly doubt it's that because the drive is there, but I'm not sure why this is happening. It's frustrating to say the least. 

CALLING ALL WRITERS: What would you do if you were in this situation? Would you start working on the novel you've been battling for years (but have random droughts of writers block with it) or work on the 'precious' idea that won't stop calling out to you? 

Both ideas are good ones and I will admit that ATTICUS is quite different than other YA novels out there, whereas HELL HOUNDS (although dark and focuses on antiheroes) is somewhat like most YA novels out there (without the cliches.) 

If anyone out there is willing to offer advice or suggestions that would be really helpful. 

Until then, I suppose I will try to work on both (try is the keyword here) and eventually decide what I will do from there. I feel like a part of me is giving up on HELL HOUNDS, but I suppose I have to really think about my opinions and what I'm looking to achieve in regards to my writing.

4 comments:

  1. Take a short break. And then try writing with pen and paper...jotting just some notes and then typing it up will help you. All the best!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for your advice! I've decided to work that other project for a while. I'll return to HELL HOUNDS later. :)

      Thank you for commenting!

      Delete
  2. Give HELL HOUNDS a break, and pick up ATTICUS. Set a small (super small!), doable word count (Monday-Friday, or daily) and see that baby to THE END. If you need eyes on ATTICUS, or motivation going forward, let me know, I'm your girl! :)

    Hopefully you've gotten out of the writer's funk since you posted this.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Marna!! I actually started working on Atticus about a few days after writing this entry, lol. I'm starting off writing background info first and then I'll start working on the actual chapters. Everything is working out so far!

      I'll definitely be emailing you once I at least have about 5 chapters completed. :)

      Delete

 

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