The Middle Muddles - they have grabbed hold of me and dragged me into the muck!
I thought with all my plotting and planning, I would avoid them. But no! There is no escaping the middle doldrums of the manuscript where you have to slog through the beats to get to the end of the second Act, where things get hectic and hairy and the pace is hot again.
Of course, in the final draft, the pace has to be awesome throughout the MS. But in the first draft, sometimes getting those words on the page can feel like running through molasses. It amazes me how I can write something that seems like it drags painfully, and yet when I read it back over, the pace is fast and light. #writingmagic
It doesn't help that I haven't had much time for working on Sekrit Project this last week.
Slow but steady wins the race. Right? *dives back in*
Here's the weekly Word-o-Meter for Sekrit Project (increments are 5k):
p.s. For those of you whose browsers dislike my Word-o-Meter, I've logged 23,064 words toward my 50-60k goal.
p.p.s. How do you pronounce Sekrit? See the debate.
p.p.s. How do you pronounce Sekrit? See the debate.
Hope you find your momentum soon... the last half of KD was a struggle for me b/c I was in a different sort of setting than normal for me.
ReplyDeletere: sekrit... aren't there already enough words out there ;)?
@Bane I usually only get muddled when I'm not exactly sure what comes next (I know where it has to go, but not quite how it gets there). And there are never enuf words. :)
ReplyDeleteMake it a Choose Your Own Adventure and everyone can just jump to the end. Who doesn't like shortcuts?
ReplyDeleteI guess we're in the same boat. :) I am doing better, today. I think I have about 4 chapters left and the rewrite is finished. Then to peek at CPs notes.
ReplyDelete@Bryan Those things make me crazy. #IalwaysChooseUnwisely
ReplyDelete@Sheri At least you've had the excuse of being sick! Keep plugging away, and we'll both get there. I'm making better progress today...
I find it impossible to really judge the quality of my writing as it's happening. I have to go back and re-read to really get it. Another reason to ignore that internal editor while you're working!
ReplyDelete@LisaGG That is so true! It is like drafting and editing use different parts of my brain.
ReplyDeleteYou are almost halfway there! I hate the middle muddles too. Sometimes I feel like I'm just putting words down as place holders or connectors, but then every once in a while something really good comes out that surprises me and helps me keep going! Keep writing, keep writing, keep writing, hit them keys, hit 'em some more. Sorry, an impromptu writing chant.
ReplyDeleteWriting through the middle is tough. But for me it's tougher when I'm rewriting and deciding what goes and what stays.
ReplyDeleteThe middle muddles are such a joy--like surgery without anesthetic--but keep it up. You will triumph and your book will rock. :)
ReplyDelete@Margo Thanks! #lovethechant
ReplyDelete@Laura Yeah, when the muddle is in my head, it's much harder! :)
@Leisha LOL! Thank you for your encouragement!
It can be maddening when you are building the bridge from one dynamic portion of your story to the next. Love the term "middle-muddles." Perfect descriptor. Sending good vibes your way.
ReplyDelete@Leslie Thanks for the good vibes! They must have work because I tucked a bunch of words under my belt today. :)
ReplyDelete