As many of you know, Kill the Beast was supposed to release mid-March. Key word there being “supposed.”
Oh, by the way, hi! I haven’t posted anything about my writing for months and months, so I thought I should remedy that! ;)
Ahem. Back to Kill the Beast.
So here I am, plugging away at this incredible story in my head, exploring all the different threads, and I finish my story. Look at the word count. 35,000. No, no, no! This glorious book needs to be a full-length novel, not another novella!
(The prequel story to Kill the Beast, “Beast Hunter,” is in the anthology Hodgepodge. Let me just say, novellas are easy-peasy to write. Unless, you know, it’s the novella to Zombie Takeover that’s been sitting on my computer for two years. Unfinished. I digress.)
So in November 2016 I do NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month, for those of you who may not have heard of it) and get the story up to 95,000 words.
Success!
Right…?
Not so much.
I’m thankful I did it. I am. I pulled so much depth and additional storyworld and motivation from this story, it makes my heart sing. I adore this story so much more than I did when I started writing it! It is glorious. Or will be. Someday.
For now it is a tangled mess that laughs at me. I cannot untangle it. The characters (who are also laughing at me, btw) are telling me this is how the story should be but giving me no clue how to jump from one scene to another. How to weave the story back together so it’s as glorious on paper as it is in my mind.
So there it sits, mocking me, and I want to cry every time I look at it.
So when will Kill the Beast come out? Once it untangles itself. Once I hack it to pieces. Once I have a draft my editor won’t look at as if it’s a piece of poo to be dropped in the nearest wastebasket.
Sob! (I will not wallow, I will not wallow…)
So, now that you have a peek into my world as it is in this moment in time, I am going back to editing other people’s works of art. You know, people who actually can write and aren’t stuck like a tractor in a sinkhole, sucked into misery and wallowing. No! I will not wallow!
What about you? Have you ever been stuck on a project, whether writing or something else? (FYI, we are not calling this writer’s block. Not at all. I refuse to believe that’s a thing.) :)
I hope your week is fabulous, your days full of hope, and your years full of joy.
Happy Writing!
In Him,
Michele
Jill Shope Hackman
So sorry to hear this — I’ve been there and it’s the most frustrating place on earth. I’ll be praying for you, that God will carefully untangle the threads and help you weave it into a glorious tapestry.
Michele Israel Harper
Thank you, Jill! Such beautiful words I desperately needed!
Janeen Ippolito
Haha, I appreciate this! I’m finally releasing a 25,900 word novella that was supposed to be out a MONTH ago. And was also supposed to be a light and easy 10,000 word novelette. Revisions were a bear, especially on a tight time schedule where I’m definitely not at the top of my to-do list! *hugs* You’ll make it through! Let me know if you need untangling help.
Michele Israel Harper
Thank you so much, Janeen! I’m so happy you’re able to release yours. Hurray!
Laura A. Grace ~~ HOPE Through the Pages
Oh, Michele, my heart aches for you!! I have been in such a very similar place just as you are. However, I seemed not to be able to get the words on the page without being bombarded with anxiety and extreme doubt. Only got two chapters in with my one WIP. It wasn’t until this week that I had peace about writing (and that was after due to a certain situation that was affecting me more then I thought) and devoting my time to doing blog tours for others.
Praise God that He can use this time for His glory! I am believing that for the both of us, friend. I know He sees our hearts and will be praying for you. Thank you for sharing your heart with us and remember you are not alone. Love you! <3
Michele Israel Harper
Thank you so much, Laura! Your words are a balm to my weary soul. Love and hugs!