You finished your novel, now what?

[Pink Ink]

Hello everyone, I am a newbie here. Just got done with my third novel after a frenzied few days of last edits. An agent is looking at my full manuscript right now (fingers crossed). I feel so brain-exhausted I can't rouse myself to write any fiction. I'm just doing good posting my progress on my blog. I feel so LAZY.

What about you, do you experience post-novel blues, too? How do you get yourself out of this funk?

[CaroGirl]

Welcome. Congratulations on finishing and good luck with the agent search! I think everyone's experience is different. I've usually begun the next novel before I finish editing the last. There's something about editing that makes me want to write something new! So, I don't typically suffer the post-novel blues.

Plenty of writers need a break between projects. Let yourself take break. The next idea will come along soon enough.

[willietheshakes]

How do you get yourself out of this funk?

Indiscriminate sex. Wanton substance abuse. Oh, and more writing.

Pretty much the same way I get myself out of any funk.

[ClaudiaGray]

Congrats on finishing the third one and the agent interest!

I don't usually have post-book blues, but I do usually go through a period of time in which I can't write much. For a while, I think it's okay to rest -- but I'm just shy of two months off after finishing my third novel, so I'm about to give myself a kick in the pants to get going once more.

I'd suggest giving yourself some time off and doing some things to "fill the well," so to speak -- experiences that are very memorable, very unusual, and creatively nourishing. Take a trip if you can. (Doesn't have to be some huge vacation -- a drive to that place nearby you always mean to visit but never do? Perfect.) See a play. Watch some great movies you've never gotten around to. Read some books that are outside of your comfort zone. Stuff like this is very creatively energizing without demanding that you remain at the grindstone.

[tehuti88]

I planned to take a break after I finished writing my first serial (basically a really, really long novel), maybe work on something else. But I missed the story too much. So almost immediately I started working on the (already planned) sequel. And as soon as that was finished, I worked on the third. As soon as it's done, I'll start work on the next.

I just can't "take a break" from writing unless it's short or I'm busy doing something else. Especially with a series story, I love it so much and want to know what happens next!! There's never any "brain exhaustion" for me--some sort of exhaustion, maybe, but not to the point that I don't wish to write for a long time. Plus, to take too much time away from writing can lull one into the habit of NOT writing regularly, which can become dangerous. Even if you aren't working on the next novel (if you have plans for another one), you should perhaps try working on something else writing related, just to make sure your writing muscles don't get out of shape.

You say you're posting progress entries in a blog, so at least that's some sort of writing. It's better than nothing. And a break is just fine--I know I need them at times. But I'd really try not to stay away from fiction too long. Perhaps the exhaustion will resolve itself a lot quicker than you think? (I thought for sure I'd be sick and tired of my story once it was finished, but nope, a day or so later I was working on the next!)

[lawtowriting]

I've found that becoming engrossed in the next project is the best way to not go crazy waiting for replies on the previous one. Though even that is only a partial cure.

[steveg144]

Hello everyone, I am a newbie here. Just got done with my third novel after a frenzied few days of last edits. An agent is looking at my full manuscript right now (fingers crossed). I feel so brain-exhausted I can't rouse myself to write any fiction. I'm just doing good posting my progress on my blog. I feel so LAZY.

What about you, do you experience post-novel blues, too? How do you get yourself out of this funk?

Kick back for four weeks. Write nothing. Read books/periodicals that amuse you. Sit on the deck if you have one. Have one nice drink every evening if that's your taste. Give your dog big thumping pats often if you have one. Trust me, in four weeks you will be itching to get back to work. ;)

[Clarec]

If you're not feeling overly motiviated, have a break rather than force it. I'm pretty sure your mojo will return in short order and you will hopefully feel refreshed because of the short break.

Clare

[Phaeal]

This would be the time when I would play with my collected Plot Bunnies and put out a short story or two, by way of keeping my hand in. I'd also start research reading for the next novel. And play Diablo II, with an eye cocked on the Diablo III website -- go, go, Blizzard! Get the new game out in time for my next between-books break! ;)

[Seif]

Buddhist wisdom: 'When feeling lethargic don't push the boulder up the mountain.'

Interpret that however you will but I think what that means is to just sit back and reward yourself with a well deserved rest.

[JamieFord]

Ah, post-project malaise. I've been there. I think last time I rented two seasons of 24 and watched them almost non-stop. That was a nice mental palette cleanser...

[maestrowork]

WRITE ANOTHER BOOK.

Then edit this one. Send it out. Keep yourself busy.

There's no time to feel the blues. Always something going on.

[Quossum]

If all is going well, the ideas for the next book are already bubbling while the last one is being finished, sometimes to the extent that I have to force myself to finish B before allowing myself to work on C.

If all is not so well, I enter a period of malaise, lying about mourning the characters from the previous work and reading over the chapters with tears glistening in my eyes.

To get through the malaise, I either give myself explicit permission to take a writing break, during which I quilt avidly or watch MST 3K instead; or I go back and look over / type up old works. Also nice to go into an editing phase and let that occupy you for a while.

--Q

[Pink Ink]

Thanks everyone for your comments.

I think the reason I've been more exhausted by this book is because I've been revising it under such a punishing schedule (very little sleep, mostly delirious). And now that the pressure is off (waiting, waiting), it feels strange. Good strange.

It does feel good to take a break. Yesterday, I went out with my husband and I felt like a tourist, just glad to be out, smiling at everyone, feeling really, really good. Glowing, even.

But yes, I am already thinking of my next project...probably a rewrite of my last manuscript before this one hijacked it.

[Shweta]

Got nothing to add, just :welcome:

[C.M.C.]

I was too relieved when I finished to feel anything else.

[Clair Dickson]

I went and did all the chores and errands that I'd been putting off as I feverishly worked to finish the novel. =)

Then I read. Read. Watched some movies. And then slowly moved into the next novel without any sense of urgency or motivation. Just enjoying the mental break.

Oh, and spending time with hubby. Heh. Kind of forgot about him for a while. ;-)

[Use Her Name]

I've got 2-3 books waiting in line. Even as I am mired in this one, I dream of them. I have a box of old stuff I would like to go through. Write another book is the prize winning answer. Maybe sit on an old pier somewhere and take a break first.

[Nateskate]

Congratulations!!! That's quite an accomplishment. I know some by nature need to learn how to rest- me, me, me! And to enjoy the moment- me, me, me! My closest friends and family tell me so.

I'm planning to take a long vacation when the last book and movie are done. It will take a prybar to get me away from the hot tub. Well, first I have to buy one.

[amber_grosjean]

First of all, congrats on finishing your 3rd book and getting an agent to notice you! I've read somewhere that writing can be a very stressfull job on the body. Its not really a physical job so go figure. Join a gym or something to get your mind off the story for a couple days and then get back to writing.

If you're thinking about working on one of those 2 books that you finished, that would be great practice to becoming a great writer. It is ok to take breaks but like the others say, don't do it too long because it will stop your training for writing. As writers we need to write. Other wise we'll never get published lol.

It took me 20 years to get my first 2 books published, one after the other so I was hyped. I took a lot of breaks and just sat on my work. One was my focus which still hasn't been published. I'm working on that one again and will not give up but I'm not sitting on the others like I was before.

Don't wait, just keep writing and one of these days it will happen!

Amber

And good luck on that 3rd book--may it get accepted and your agent finds you a great publisher! And then you sell millions of copies so we can all say we knew you when!

[Pink Ink]

I went and did all the chores and errands that I'd been putting off as I feverishly worked to finish the novel. =)

Then I read. Read. Watched some movies. And then slowly moved into the next novel without any sense of urgency or motivation. Just enjoying the mental break.

Oh, and spending time with hubby. Heh. Kind of forgot about him for a while. ;-)

Yeah, my family is looking at me strangely, like I'm some sort of an alien that landed in their midst. They're like "where's our wife/mom? Why are you having FUN and RELAXING with us?"

[seun]

Can't say I've ever been in a funk after finishing a book. Generally, I have a few days off from any writing, then do small things like hunt for an agent and submit or plan a short story. As I finished the first draft of my latest book a few days ago, I'm agent hunting at the weekend for a different book and starting a new story next week.

[Pachydermia]

do a happy dance. you've accomplished something few people ever will.
you go- you writer, you.
:)

[*Pudge*]

Congrats!!

[Pink Ink]

Seun: *agent hunting for a different book* Good luck! Yeah...this funk thing certainly doesn't last. I'm back to the grind.

Pachydermia: I would love to have my own fandom, too :-).

Pudge: My sis just moved to Ireland (married an Irishman) and I have an aunt in England. I hope to go to the UK someday soon!

[t0neg0d]

Kick back for four weeks. Write nothing. Read books/periodicals that amuse you. Sit on the deck if you have one. Have one nice drink every evening if that's your taste. Give your dog big thumping pats often if you have one. Trust me, in four weeks you will be itching to get back to work. ;)

Love this advice. Wonderful!

[Celeste_2sweet]

Oh gosh, third novel! Wow, I haven't submited one! I did to my english teacher but she said it needed work. She never gave me pointers or anything. Keep going you'll be famous soon!
Celeste

[bfloxword]

Two things. First, I don't have that problem, because I only ever wanted to write one book. I wrote it, it is finished, and I can't get a soul to read it, not even when I hold their youngest child upside down by the heel over a pot of boiling oil.

Second, it is obvious that many big successful commercially lauded authors go off on a vacation and take notes wherever they are to use to help provide the background for their next novel, thereby allowing them to deduct the cost of the vacation from their income.....So, to get the tax break, they kinda hafta get busy and write somethin', think?

[Pink Ink]

Two things. First, I don't have that problem, because I only ever wanted to write one book. I wrote it, it is finished, and I can't get a soul to read it, not even when I hold their youngest child upside down by the heel over a pot of boiling oil.

Second, it is obvious that many big successful commercially lauded authors go off on a vacation and take notes wherever they are to use to help provide the background for their next novel, thereby allowing them to deduct the cost of the vacation from their income.....So, to get the tax break, they kinda hafta get busy and write somethin', think?

Hi bfloxword, and welcome! Well you're in luck, I think, because I believe there's a thread here somewhere where people can ask for volunteer readers of their work. I'm not sure though where that is exactly. *Looks around* Anyone know?

[niratisaya]

Same thing happen with me, but I nearly forget how I overcome my blue days after writing.
Ugh...keeping my head busy maybe, with all the job around me, then when I have enough with everything....I'd run to a nearby bookstore, grab juicy books....went back and read it with a cup of tea.
Sometimes, I even bought some trashy books. Just to keep my head light or rode my bycicle, and got the fresh air into my lungs.
Basiccaly, after doing some rough things, you need some light things.

I'm intended to write an english novel soon, practicing the knowledge I get from my university....but still confuse with some basic things.

So, Pink Ink, good luck with your books and have pleasant days!

[Birol]

Yeah, my family is looking at me strangely, like I'm some sort of an alien that landed in their midst. They're like "where's our wife/mom? Why are you having FUN and RELAXING with us?"

They'll get used to it, then you can start writing again, just to keep them guessing.

[Enzo]

Take a couple of weeks off, and then start on the next book, not by writing, but by letting ideas clash inside your head. Daydream about new characters, situations, actions, conflicts, and write the good bits down.
Somewhere in there will be the great idea for your next book.

[Pink Ink]

Good ideas. Thanks!