Burn out

celticroots · 08-18-2012, 01:37 AM

I am so close to finishing a first draft of a novel I am working on. But it's taken forever to get this far. I love the story and don't want to give up on it. But I feel like I am getting burnt out. Sometimes, working on the draft feels like a chore. But other times, I am energized and get a lot done.

Maybe I am experiencing that slog that writer's talk about. I like the story, but I want to get this draft off my back so I can edit then rewrite.

Esther_Jones · 08-18-2012, 02:04 AM

If you're feeling like you're burning out, give your permission to take a little break. Not stop. But it's okay to focus on something else for a day or two. Maybe research or brainstorming for the project you want to do after this one. Or get away and do something that has absolutely nothing to do with writing and everything to do with fun for a day.

Usually you'll come back re-energized and able to look at your MS with fresh eyes. At least that's what happens with me.

Remember you're actually paying off everything else you've built up in the novel at the end, so of course it can be complicated. You obviously love your story since you've made it this far already. Take a deep breath, cut yourself some slack, and go have fun. Then come back and wrap it up. You've got this.

WillSauger · 08-18-2012, 02:26 AM

Stop, take a couple days off to do what you wish, write a short story and then jump back on your project.

You're fighting wet cornstarch here. Don't keep pushing, you won't get through easily. So pause and the cornstarch will turn to liquid once more.

Fanatic_Dreamer · 08-18-2012, 11:51 PM

Work on something else. Trust me. It's better to work on something else rather than write forced material that was created on a burnt out mind.

shakeysix · 08-19-2012, 12:01 AM

It helps me to do something entirely different for a day or even a week. Last week I worked two ten hour days on galley proofs. This week I am doing some heavy donkey work, well, heavy work for a woman of my years. I am moving mattresses and cleaning closets. Already I can see that writing all day isn't as bad as I thought and I am getting new ideas. Sometimes I just take a break to read a book about something I am interested in, like beekeeping. iit really does help to take a break before you break your resolve. S6.

AllieKat · 08-19-2012, 12:30 AM

All of my best stories have required a break before I could tackle the ending. In some cases, it's been days. But often it's been weeks, months--or longer.

Trust yourself. Take a break. Let it coalesce. But don't give up.

I'm not sure how much this helps, but that's my experience.

rwm4768 · 08-19-2012, 08:19 AM

Don't worry about it. Take a break. I had to take a break from my WIP for a few days to work out the climax in my mind. I was still able to come back to it and finished it in a strong way.

gothicangel · 08-19-2012, 01:03 PM

I finished the first draft on my new WIP, and tried to jump straight back into a final spit 'n' polish of the previous book. Didn't work, the tank is empty.

So, I'm taking a break until the drive comes back. I'm reading a lot [fiction and non-fiction], thinking of taking up a night-class, basically just having a life. The desire will return.

dangerousbill · 08-19-2012, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by celticroots

I am so close to finishing a first draft of a novel I am working on. But it's taken forever to get this far. I love the story and don't want to give up on it.

One option is to finish the story in any way you can, just so it's finished. The crappy ending can be fixed in rewrite. You may very well get ideas while doing the editing, since you'll be able to read the whole story in one shot.

ManOfTongues · 08-19-2012, 11:36 PM

My advice would be to take a short break and then to finish the piece. I actually experience this very often, normally halfway through writing a novel when the story is established but the climax is still a ways off. Normally, I trudge through it, gaining a little more momentum at the climax and denouement. My advice would also be to give yourself some space to recharge and get excited before starting the revisions/editing process. Starting on the wrong foot or in a bad space would hinder, if not ruin, the editing process.

Best of luck,

- Michael

08-18-2012, 01:37 AM	#1
celticroots practical experience, FTW Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 376	Burn out I am so close to finishing a first draft of a novel I am working on. But it's taken forever to get this far. I love the story and don't want to give up on it. But I feel like I am getting burnt out. Sometimes, working on the draft feels like a chore. But other times, I am energized and get a lot done. Maybe I am experiencing that slog that writer's talk about. I like the story, but I want to get this draft off my back so I can edit then rewrite.

08-18-2012, 02:04 AM	#2
Esther_Jones figuring it all out Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Washington State Posts: 58	If you're feeling like you're burning out, give your permission to take a little break. Not stop. But it's okay to focus on something else for a day or two. Maybe research or brainstorming for the project you want to do after this one. Or get away and do something that has absolutely nothing to do with writing and everything to do with fun for a day. Usually you'll come back re-energized and able to look at your MS with fresh eyes. At least that's what happens with me. Remember you're actually paying off everything else you've built up in the novel at the end, so of course it can be complicated. You obviously love your story since you've made it this far already. Take a deep breath, cut yourself some slack, and go have fun. Then come back and wrap it up. You've got this. __________________ *Why does my coffee taste like bacon?* jonestales.wordpress.com

08-18-2012, 02:26 AM	#3
WillSauger The Beast I Worship. Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 3,684	Stop, take a couple days off to do what you wish, write a short story and then jump back on your project. You're fighting wet cornstarch here. Don't keep pushing, you won't get through easily. So pause and the cornstarch will turn to liquid once more. __________________ Don't Fear Failure. "The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn" -- Alvin Toffler.

08-19-2012, 12:01 AM	#5
shakeysix blue eyed floozy Join Date: May 2007 Location: St. John, Kansas Posts: 5,537	It helps me to do something entirely different for a day or even a week. Last week I worked two ten hour days on galley proofs. This week I am doing some heavy donkey work, well, heavy work for a woman of my years. I am moving mattresses and cleaning closets. Already I can see that writing all day isn't as bad as I thought and I am getting new ideas. Sometimes I just take a break to read a book about something I am interested in, like beekeeping. iit really does help to take a break before you break your resolve. S6. __________________ http://www.writersamuseme.com/shakeysmith.htm

08-19-2012, 12:30 AM	#6
AllieKat just a writer, unbranded Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 498	All of my best stories have required a break before I could tackle the ending. In some cases, it's been days. But often it's been weeks, months--or longer. Trust yourself. Take a break. Let it coalesce. But don't give up. I'm not sure how much this helps, but that's my experience. __________________ Night Owl Review of The Girl and the Dragon BLOG

08-18-2012, 11:51 PM	#4
Fanatic_Dreamer Daydreaming Extraordinaire Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: New Jersey Posts: 155	Work on something else. Trust me. It's better to work on something else rather than write forced material that was created on a burnt out mind.

08-19-2012, 08:19 AM	#7
rwm4768 practical experience, FTW Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Missouri Posts: 5,486	Don't worry about it. Take a break. I had to take a break from my WIP for a few days to work out the climax in my mind. I was still able to come back to it and finished it in a strong way. __________________ My writing blog: http://ryanmuellerwriting.blogspot.com/ WIP: The Man in the Crystal Prison (Upper MG Contemporary Fantasy): 66K Revising and Editing White Fire (Epic Fantasy): 114K Revising and Editing.

08-19-2012, 01:03 PM	#8
gothicangel Toughen up. Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Outer Brigantia Posts: 6,646	I finished the first draft on my new WIP, and tried to jump straight back into a final spit 'n' polish of the previous book. Didn't work, the tank is empty. So, I'm taking a break until the drive comes back. I'm reading a lot [fiction and non-fiction], thinking of taking up a night-class, basically just having a life. The desire will return. __________________ "I re-read therefore I understand" - Descartes "Imagination only comes when you privilege the subconscious" - Hilary Mantel

08-19-2012, 11:36 PM	#10
ManOfTongues Coffee, please. Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 58	My advice would be to take a short break and then to finish the piece. I actually experience this very often, normally halfway through writing a novel when the story is established but the climax is still a ways off. Normally, I trudge through it, gaining a little more momentum at the climax and denouement. My advice would also be to give yourself some space to recharge and get excited before starting the revisions/editing process. Starting on the wrong foot or in a bad space would hinder, if not ruin, the editing process. Best of luck, - Michael __________________ WIP #1 (Fantasy/Sci-Fi crossbreed): 84,000 words -- editing and revisions. WIP #2 (YA Soft Sci-fi): 9,000/55,000 words -- first draft.

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