Cheating on your novel

[The Lonely One]

Have you ever cheated on your longtime partner (the WIP novel) for a quickie with a young, hip, beautiful 2,500 worder?

If you cheat on all the hard work you've put into old Betty for Veronica (Jughead!), will it ruin your relationship? Or is an open relationship the best way to avoid all those troublesome issues of guilt (e.g. - not submitting short stories while you work on "ta big one" etc.)?

So far I've avoided writing any fiction other than my novel since I started. But, unfortunately, I've thus avoided writing any fiction lately.

So waddyas think?

[ChaosTitan]

Writing a novel is not a monogamous relationship for all people. Sometimes you need to step out and have a quickie with a short, just to reload the batteries and stretch your cramped muscles. So you don't fall into the trap of avoiding writing altogether.

[Shadow_Ferret]

I'm a Gemini. So yes, even if I'm in a long term relationship with my novel, I still see other stories on the side. It's just my nature. In fact, and this is a secret between you and me, I'm starting to flirt with some poetry, too. Shhh.

[Danthia]

If you're a writer, it's because you write, not because you're working on any particular novel. If the urge hits you to work on a short for a while, run with it. The only time to worry about cheating is if you find yourself making up reasons not to go back to your WIP. That can indicate a problem, and you'd want to figure out what's up there. But if all you need is a break, nothing wrong with that at all.

I have a friend who needs to be working on a short and a novel at the same time. When she gets stuck on one, she goes to the other and it keeps her creative juices flowing.

[Use Her Name]

I put mine aside for a while and had a fling with oil painting this past spring and summer. Now I am charged up to begin writing it again. I actually think that separate vacations can be good for a relationship.

[Calamity_Jones]

My WIP is possessive and manipulative. It controls my life and is very jealous when I do anything other than spend time with it. I just watched an episode of Heroes, and there it was in the back of my mind screaming "STOP PROCRASTINATING AND WRITE!" There is no escape.

[astonwest]

I often find myself stepping away from my novel to work on shorts, but they're usually related.

So, to take this into the analogy, I guess I'm having quickies with my novel's sisters...

[Deccydiva]

I wouldn't want to be without my own home cooking. However, I also enjoy going out to a restaurant from time to time.
Same with writing, I guess - the novel is the home cooking but it's good to "dine out" on poetry and short fiction as long as it doesn't take over... it wouldn't be the same then. ;)

[darrtwish]

I don't usually work on shorts while working on my novel, probably due to the fact that I usually have a one-track mind and focus entirely on my novel. But I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing to take a break from your novel to work on shorts.

[vixey]

Thank you, Deccy, for taking sex off the table. :)

When I'm into a novel, I'm in a committed relationship. But, like Calamity, I feel it tugging at me.

I'm currently in between novels (waiting with baited breath for NaNo) and I'm really playing the field, checking out different genres, and looking for Mr. Right now. It's fun, but I'm ready to settle down.

ETA: Sorry, Deccy, I rerailed the OP's analogy.

[MagicMan]

Oh dear, I am in trouble. I have six loves, all demanding my attention. Being of different races, they keep every visit fresh. Oh what shall I do when one leaves our WIP relationship? I know, I shall seek another, even prettier and more vibrant.

Smiles
Bob

[Adam Hammonds]

Syphilis. I think I have it. I've got to end my addiction to one-a-day flash fictions.

[vixey]

Syphilis. I think I have it. I've got to end my addiction to one-a-day flash fictions.
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*makes sure post is not too close to Adam's*

:roll:

[Stunted]

For the most part, I'm a one novel kind of girl...but every once in a while...

[eyeblink]

Have you ever cheated on your longtime partner (the WIP novel) for a quickie with a young, hip, beautiful 2,500 worder?

If you cheat on all the hard work you've put into old Betty for Veronica (Jughead!), will it ruin your relationship? Or is an open relationship the best way to avoid all those troublesome issues of guilt (e.g. - not submitting short stories while you work on "ta big one" etc.)?

So far I've avoided writing any fiction other than my novel since I started. But, unfortunately, I've thus avoided writing any fiction lately.

So waddyas think?

Yes frequently - most recently, last week! And it was a 2500-worder as it happens.

My novel understands how fickle I can be, so it hasn't ended in tears yet.

I did try a threeway with another novel earlier in the year, but that didn't work out.

[The Lonely One]

Thank you, Deccy, for taking sex off the table. :)

When I'm into a novel, I'm in a committed relationship. But, like Calamity, I feel it tugging at me.

I'm currently in between novels (waiting with baited breath for NaNo) and I'm really playing the field, checking out different genres, and looking for Mr. Right now. It's fun, but I'm ready to settle down.

ETA: Sorry, Deccy, I rerailed the OP's analogy.

vixey --

Sorry about all the hormones floating around in this post! I hadn't anticipated the sexual analogy would carry to the point of mentioning STI's! Ah, no bother. All the more interesting?

[Feathers]

Honestly, I think it's good to write some short stuff during a novel. It prevents burnout and keeps your creative juices going. (I feel like I'm talking about skin cancer!) On a bad day, when I hate the scene but need to write it and nothing is flowing, I just stop for a little while and work on a really fun short story.

Multiple WIPs, now I see that as a problem. Very few people can handle it successfully. IMHO, you only end up quitting both.

-Feathers

[cooeedownunder]

I have a couple of lovers at any one time. Well, not at the same time although wouldn't it be great if you could do them both at once.http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/icons/icon10.gif

[Phoebe H]

Have you ever cheated on your longtime partner (the WIP novel) for a quickie with a young, hip, beautiful 2,500 worder?

Shhh. I'm doing it right now. Don't tell her.

My novel is wonderful and all, but just once I wanted to be able to, you know, finish.

[vixey]

vixey --

Sorry about all the hormones floating around in this post! I hadn't anticipated the sexual analogy would carry to the point of mentioning STI's! Ah, no bother. All the more interesting?

Ah...the innuendoes attract a greater response, no?

[Shadow_Ferret]

I have a couple of lovers at any one time. Well, not at the same time although wouldn't it be great if you could do them both at once.http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/icons/icon10.gif

We're um, still talking about writing, right?

:Wha:

[cooeedownunder]

We're um, still talking about writing, right?

:Wha:

What else would I be talking abouthttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/icons/icon12.gif

[Yeshanu]

I have a couple of lovers at any one time. Well, not at the same time although wouldn't it be great if you could do them both at once.http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/icons/icon10.gif

Right now I'm courting two lovers, one a long-time passion, the other a new passion. On November 1, I'll be throwing them both over for a month-long fling with a third.

For years I was so wrapped up with my first passion that I wrote very little else, but I was so bored with the first that I didn't do much with her (they're all hers) either. Since I started #2, I've been able to go back to #1 with fresh eyes and fresh passion, and both have benefited.

And yes, I'm talking about my novels... :tongue

[vixey]

I hadn't thought about NaNo as a fling. I like that idea!

[The Lonely One]

We're um, still talking about writing, right?

:Wha:

Wait, you guys were talking about writing?

[jennifer75]

Have you ever cheated on your longtime partner (the WIP novel) for a quickie with a young, hip, beautiful 2,500 worder?

If you cheat on all the hard work you've put into old Betty for Veronica (Jughead!), will it ruin your relationship? Or is an open relationship the best way to avoid all those troublesome issues of guilt (e.g. - not submitting short stories while you work on "ta big one" etc.)?

So far I've avoided writing any fiction other than my novel since I started. But, unfortunately, I've thus avoided writing any fiction lately.

So waddyas think?

I'm all for cheating. Sometimes it takes a quickie to realize what you have, and work on making it better.

[tehuti88]

Have you ever cheated on your longtime partner (the WIP novel) for a quickie with a young, hip, beautiful 2,500 worder?

If you cheat on all the hard work you've put into old Betty for Veronica (Jughead!), will it ruin your relationship? Or is an open relationship the best way to avoid all those troublesome issues of guilt (e.g. - not submitting short stories while you work on "ta big one" etc.)?

I realize this was meant kind of in a humorous way, but I work on multiple projects all the time--various novellas and a novel rewrite while working on my main serial which takes up most of my time--once I even had two major serials going--and have never viewed it as "cheating" on a longterm relationship. My stories are almost like my kids, and it only makes sense to spend time with the different ones. Sometimes one kid wants to be left on its own so I spend time with another one. Some of them have temporarily moved out of the house or run away so I have to wait for them to come back. Well. Something like that. Obviously if they were REAL kids I'd be out looking for them, but...

Anyway that's the way it works for me. *shrug*

[sanctuary6284]

Have you ever cheated on your longtime partner (the WIP novel) for a quickie with a young, hip, beautiful 2,500 worder?

If you cheat on all the hard work you've put into old Betty for Veronica (Jughead!), will it ruin your relationship? Or is an open relationship the best way to avoid all those troublesome issues of guilt (e.g. - not submitting short stories while you work on "ta big one" etc.)?

So far I've avoided writing any fiction other than my novel since I started. But, unfortunately, I've thus avoided writing any fiction lately.

So waddyas think?

Okay, if I don't say this I'll go crazy. I'm sure no one cares but it's Archie not Jughead who messes around with Betty and Veronica. :rant:

Other than that, no I haven't "cheated." I honestly have other ideas but my main one pounds them out of my head whenever I sit down to pen and paper/keyboard.

[Telstar]

No.
Because I dont write short stories. I dont know why, but I dont get much satisfaction reading them.
Also, I need to be completely focused on my WIP, I cannot afford the distraction of an entirely different story. If i have some idea, I try to put it in the second or third book.

[The Lonely One]

Okay, if I don't say this I'll go crazy. I'm sure no one cares but it's Archie not Jughead who messes around with Betty and Veronica. :rant:

Other than that, no I haven't "cheated." I honestly have other ideas but my main one pounds them out of my head whenever I sit down to pen and paper/keyboard.

Ah, yes, Archie. Man about town, playboy, young rapscallion. But still, can you blame me for yelling at Jughead--he's always getting into trouble :).

[CountessaLuna]

The only time to worry about cheating is if you find yourself making up reasons not to go back to your WIP. That can indicate a problem, and you'd want to figure out what's up there. But if all you need is a break, nothing wrong with that at all.

I have a friend who needs to be working on a short and a novel at the same time. When she gets stuck on one, she goes to the other and it keeps her creative juices flowing.

Eep! I agree to that!!! Because I have a short attention span or because I can't always stay in the same mind-flow as one thing I'm writing, I go ahead and start another. Resulting in Way too many short stories and other things that may be cool but have No idea what to do with them -_-

Although I will mention, that with all the short blips I've written and along with random scenes, when I started getting serious about bringing a few ideas back into play for actual Novels. The short blips and scenes ended up fitting right in with the story (scenes I would never have written while trying to stay dedicated to just the One story)

So stepping out from your little box to take a breather with a few others sometimes helps you to stay committed to the real one in question *nods*