Hi! I'm trying to finish a novel and I'm at this stage when there's only 5 or 6 chapters left to finish my first draft. This is not the first time I've been there, and all previous attempts have ended with finished works tidied away in a drawer somewhere. Problem is: half of my brain is already rewriting and editing the beginning and the other half is simply starting other projects.
I don't know if it's a sign I should ease up on it a little, work on something else for a while until I feel up to finishing my first draft properly. Or should I stick with it, even if I am writing more and more slowly and getting upset with what I am producing? Has anybody got any tips to get over this first-draft-fed-up syndrome?
I think you need a bit more inspiration, visit places close to your heart, listen to your beloved music, relax and think about the story you have in your head. Pull out piece of paper and pen, start writing and I think your problem will be solved. Don't be so hard on yourself, let your imagination to do the work for you. All you need is imagination and tools to write.
All Best,
Sylwia
Don't waste time and energy editing until your first draft is completed. It's always great to know the ending before you even start writing so that you know where you're headed to. I find it helpful to plot the major points, laying out a skeleton of the book and then as you write everything will come together, fleshing out the text. And you don't even have to write the book in order if you've plotted what will happen in each chapter because any inconsistencies or changes throughout you can apply in the editing process. Perhaps it will help you to write the final chapter now and then bridge the gap from where you are now. Hope this helps.
Forgot to add I also experience lots of inspiration for projects that come at once. So if you do not have one already please get a writing journal. I have tons filled with future stories/poetry ideas that one day I will turn my attention to. It would be a shame to waste your ideas and trust me if you do not write them down you will forget them.
I believe a lot of us start hating our first drafts they need fresh eyes. Our perspective as the writer will be completely different to that of our readers as they will have no emotional attachment when they first start reading.
But that is the beautiful thing about first drafts they can be edited and even if you cannot see it they often hold a lot of potential.