I'm at the editing stage and I get this weird thing when I'm not working on my novel where I start to worry about my plot not being developed enough. But when I am working on it I always make little tweaks to the plot that improves it. Just wondered if anyone else has these sorts of irrational anxieties?
Hi Maurice. Thanks that's really helpful!
I've been writing for about 6 years. I've worked on a few other ideas for novels but they never developed into a finished story. I've written for magazines and blogs, but they are small-time compared to the mammoth task of writing a novel.
I've been working on my current novel for about a year and it's the first novel that will become a finished book. So I guess in that sense I am new to it and might explain my anxieties!
I was reading David Almond's blog, which also helped me. He explains how he gets ideas onto a page and then doesn't worry about whether they'll come together as a story or not. He just writes and keeps at it and cuts out huge chunks until a novel starts to form.
Hi Gayle.
How many years have you been writing? Is it early days?
I used to feel anxious way when I first started writing. I was really passionate and excited then. But as my experience, and hopefully, my ability, has improved, I don't get so anxious now. I just get cranky, if I'm not writing.
Writing is like a drug. So, I wouldn't worry too much. Just try and keep your habit in check.
Good luck.
Wow. I can't believe many writers in history would have had a completely finished plot on the first draft. I'm not anxious about the next step. I can't wait till I get to the submission stage - super excited about it in fact!