Saturday, August 29, 2009

No! No! No!

I will say no. I will say no. I will say no.

Yes, it's true, I'm dying to write another book. I have all these ideas and the character is chatting away in my head. I love her already!

Shhh! Don't tell my hubby because he made me promise I'd finish revisions and query these other two books I've written before I write another one.

It's true, I have a problem. I adore writing. But sometimes I get so caught up in making my drafts perfect and then I get the feeling I will never finish the book.

So no. I will not start another book. Yet.

In fact, I'm going to put my computer away right now and read through my last 40 pages. I've sat down these last few days and read my book. Caught some naughty spelling errors and tossed in a few commas too! Oh, aren't you proud of me?

How about you? Is there anything that you have to tell yourself NO! before you do what you want to do? (Like scrub the toilet as opposed to watching TV?)

17 comments:

Brenda said...

I tell myself "no" all the time...no you can't do this until you do that...problem is, I'm like a 3 year old...the more I say "no", the more I do it anyway...grin...Good luck with your "No! No! No!" project...grin...Hugs...

Kate said...

I wish you luck. I've never managed to overcome the problem yet, but if you do find a way,tell me how. Please?

Jen and Steven said...

I'm with the other two, I can tell myself "no" but actually sticking to it is another thing. I'm much more prone to watching TV anyway, or reading more of the book I just got from the library, or taking Roxy to the dog park. :-)

Unknown said...

OHMYGOSH. I am EXACTLY the same way!!!! I am always trying to write something new!!!

MG Higgins said...

I've been telling myself "no" all day. I'd rather be working on my revision than changing the sheets, swiffering, shopping, watering the plants, preparing for a dinner guest, etc. Self, tomorrow will be your "yes" day. I promise!

PJ Hoover said...

I have to fight this all the time. Otherwise I'd have a bunch of half finished books sitting around.
just say no!

Kelly Polark said...

Yes, I'm torn into tackling revisions or writing some new stuff to send to magazines. I really should do the revisions first though!
Sometimes I should say no to the internet more...

Kimbra Kasch said...

I am so No! No! No!

My head jumps from one story to the next - like crazy, heck, maybe I am.

That's one of the reasons I write magazine articles. Short, sweet, and can get them down quick(er) than a manuscript for a book :)

Rena Jones said...

Oh, good luck, with both writing your new book and revising your old ones.

Anna said...

I completely share your problem. Inspiration is such a powerful thing!

Apart from that, I have to tell myself "no" when I get a rejection..."No, I will not paralyze and think I stink as a writer. I WILL send out another query!"

Nora MacFarlane said...

I definitely understand that problem! I usually can't set the new story aside unless I allow myself to write quick notes so I don't forget ideas. That's all I allow myself to do if I'm in the middle of another WIP. However,once I write my notes I can manage to focus on my WIP.

Here's wishing you a productive writing week. Enjoy your extra time!

C.R. Evers said...

good luck w/ your revisions. I have to tell myself "no" a lot. Like when I drive by a restaurant that smells of hamburgers and fries mmmmmmmm . . . two of my guilty pleasures.

Shelli (srjohannes) said...

eating chocolate for inspiration.... :)

Christina Farley said...

Oh, these are good. Love them!

And Shelli- halarious! So, so true.

Caroline Starr Rose said...

I don't have the start-something-new problem. The new project always haunts me, hanging over my head like a big sign reading "what does she think she's doing, trying to write another book?" Once I begin, that eases off, thankfully.

As for all the chores I hate, I set a timer and race.

Vijaya said...

Oy. Is this why I have two unfinished novels and am working on a third? Terrible disease to have.

Good luck with your revisions and queries.

Patti said...

I have a hard time moving on to something else, when I haven't completely finished something, but last month I got over it and started a new project.