I stumbled upon notes from the WIP I forced on my poor critique group my first few months with them and started re-reading. I knew the thing had some major problems, but couldn’t help falling back in love with some of the characters and the banter (these are a few of my faaaaavorite things…). And a little voice in the back of my head whispered, “You could fix this.”
But do I want to invest the time and energy in re-building the world, adjusting the plot, etc.? I have a great WIP that needs a finished second draft and at least three new shiny ideas poking at my brain.
When did you say “enough is enough” to your first “real” WIP? Or did it go the distance?
September 25, 2010 at 5:25 pm
Sarah, reading your blog always encourages me to get back into blogging–though I’ve yet to follow through on that impulse. Perhaps it’s time for serious consideration.
But as to your WIP question, it’s actually kind of tricky. What do you mean by “real”? Do you mean a novel that’s not a practice novel?
My first finished novel was a Star Trek novel. It is horrendous, but man, it was fun to write. I have no desire to return to it or try to salvage it in any way.
But a WIP that’s technically been in progress for about 15 years (you’ve read a few chapters) is one I’ve learned a lot from writing and rewriting and rewriting. I still love it and still hope to find a home for it someday.
September 27, 2010 at 1:28 pm
Yes, I was thinking of the first novel that you thought you’d try to get published, or the first you actually showed people.
I want to read your Star Trek novel
October 4, 2010 at 9:11 am
The first novel I tried to write is still my favorite, even though it still has lots of problems that need tweaking. I was trying to write about a couple who were in love but just couldn’t get it together and what was keeping them apart. People in my critique group loved the heroine but hated the hero (seems to be a pattern for me, even when I try to make likeable heros).
I have been revising this novel, on and off, for three or four years. It’s the baby I can’t seem to send out into the world.
October 6, 2010 at 12:19 pm
I know exactly what you mean, Kimberly! I’ll always have feelings for my first WIP
I hope you get yours polished up enough to send out into the world.
My current main character really bugs some of my critique group, but not everyone can get along, so maybe it’s not a problem.