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Downton Stabby: Sometimes Writing is The Worst

Photo courtesy of Google. Pun not intended.

I do not believe in writer’s block.

I do believe that there is something wrong with the plot of my story.

Or that this is not *the* story I should be working on.

In fifth grade I wrote a story.

Fifteen years later I wrote a book. It sucked. I mean, I had a hoot writing it IN. ONE. SITTING. But it was garbage. And I know that. Now.

And now that I am of-age for a hobbit, I have accepted the fact that my attention span is thisbig.

I do not like reading long things.

I do not like writing long things. So, a few weeks ago I decided to tackle drafting a collection of short (SHORT) stories.

And I stalled.

So, I decided to focus only on ONE of those short stories.

And I stalled.

So, I did what any devoted writer would do: I shut down my laptop and binge-watched Downton Abbey.

GIF courtesy of Google. Doggo bum.

Then, I cleaned my kitchen. And folded laundry. Sure, it was dirty, but it’s folded now. And guess what happened next?

Nothing.

Nothing happened.

No sudden inspiration.

No clarity of which story to focus on.

No flow.

Nothing.

So I said “Eff it,” and found a great flash fiction site. Read some. Was inspired. Wrote a thing. Revised it. Sent it to a friend to CP. Revised it. Sent it to a beta reader. Revised it. Let it sit. Read it again. Liked some parts of it. Saw what parts are unnecessary. Revised it.

And stalled.

Again.

Because I’m so gorram close to finishing it and this is my personal problem:

I Do Not Know How to Finish a Story

I don’t mean end them; I start at the ending. But psychologically, I have no idea of how, when, or why to call a story complete, no matter how short. And I am beyond grateful for the feedback I’ve gotten so far (looking at you @KathleenPalm, @BethanyRobinson@raddestgirlever, and @jabloczynski. I owe you one(s)).

So, help me Reader-Wan Kenobies. Chances are if you’re still with me, here something resonates. Something here resonates. And while I am completely aware that this is my own precious problem that no one else can fix, it does help to hear how others tackle this same issue. It helps me calibrate my own game plane.

So what do you do, dear reader?

How do you know when a thing is DONE-done. Yes, I know the whole “art is never finished, just abandoned” thing that dead white guy said.

Photo courtesy of Google. Slay, Lady Edith.

But how do YOU know/choose/decide when to abandon a thing?

The comments are open. I’ll be over here. Watching Lady Edith take some names at her press.

  • Kathy Palm
    March 30, 2017

    Hmmmm…I don’t know. Different things. Sometimes I just know it’s done. I know there’s nothing I have left to add. Or I’m sick of it, when I revise I fight the urge to puke or find myself just moving words around without affecting the story. When CP comments come back and nothing they say sets my creative brain on fire, I’ll call it done. Overhinking is my worst enemy, I have the ability to over edit…to over revise…and kill the whole thing. I have the ability to overthink every line, every action, every piece of dialogue and find myself unable to write. Go with your gut. Writing should be fun. Relax. Just write.
    That may or may not help. Lol!
    I do know that you will find what works for you. YOU GOT THIS!

  • Erica Davis
    March 30, 2017

    You know what set my creative brain on fire just now? —-> “When CP comments come back and nothing they say sets my creative brain on fire, I’ll call it done.” THANK YOU <3

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