Even though we've committed ourselves to this particular Work-In-Progress, the siren song of that new idea can be irresistible. It sounds so perfect. It's fresh and flawless, and it promises to spill forth onto the page without needing any editing or revision. It flat out adores us, and understands our writerly needs, unlike that cranky WIP we've been struggling with.
No wonder we can't resist when this sweet thing beckons.
So we set the WIP aside, promising we'll be right back, believing ourselves when we say we're not serious about this new idea all dressed up in its most seductive manner.
Before we know it, we're sucked in, unable to return to the WIP waiting patiently on the hard drive for us to come to our senses. Even worse, the temptress idea reveals its true self, transforming into pure evil right in front of our disbelieving eyes. Scenes fall apart before they're even half-formed. Words that once crooned to us in such a melodic fashion now screech and clank and deride us for our lack of skill.
This WIP-on-the-side acts worse than the one we left it for.
Now we're caught between two manuscripts, both of them vying for our attention while we struggle to ignore yet another beguiling story idea crooking its finger at us.
What to do, what to do.
Some writers absolutely refuse to acknowledge a new story's presence. They block off their brain to anything new while steadfastly finishing the current work. I respect that philosophy. It does not work so well for me, however. The more I ignore a potential WIP-on-the-side, the more it will keep poking me, like a little kid that keeps yelling "Mommy" until Mommy gives him her attention. I just scribble notes about the new idea in its own Word doc and that usually quiets it down, allowing me to remain faithful to the work-in-progress.
Other writers choose to devote themselves to the new idea, leaving the pesky WIP stranded on the roadside. Again, I can understand that choice. I've even advocated it in order to get the WIP to cooperate. Nothing like a little healthy competition to get the characters to start working as a team again.
But it can also be a slippery slope. Chasing after the shiny new idea, while blaming the old WIP for your tendency to stray, can leave you with a string of half-finished projects.
Sometimes it's best to remember you and the WIP are in it "for better or for worse". It can keep you going during the tough writing and revising times, and it allows you to celebrate when you finally make it together to "The End".
That's when you can give your undivided attention to the WIP-on-the-side, free of guilt, and filled with the promise of a happily-ever-after ending.
I think that it may be a mistake to ignore the siren calls of the WIP on the side, and chain yourself to the main WIP. Struggling to complete one manuscript before starting another sounds sensible and praiseworthy, but creativity is a fragile flower, requiring to be nurtured and wooed ...... its a dilemma!
Donna,I think that your method of appeasing the siren with notes is good, but I would try to structure the writing time, allowing a period each week for brain storming where anything is allowed, including the WIP on the side. After a while your mind will become trained to concentrate on the main task most of the time, knowing that a time for letting off creative steam is only a short wait away.
It worked for me when I was an industrial scientist. I was paid to work on various projects and structured my time accordingly. Usually the change of topic was refreshing and allowed the creative juices of the 'passive projects' to continue fermenting in the subconscious, maturing into wine to be tasted when the appropriate time returned!
Remember the old phrase 'All work on the WIP with no play on the side makes Donna a dull girl' ..... not that you could ever be dull! *smile*
Posted by: Quantum | October 24, 2012 at 03:36 AM
You've definitely hit on something that most writers go through, Donna. Repeatedly, LOL!
I think it comes down to the method that works best for the individual. I used to hop around when the siren WIP came calling but now, like you, I jot notes and tell myself it will be a reward/treat when I'm through. I've learned discipline over the last several years as a writer, working on a single project at a time. It's taught me to work through the tough spots when a story stalls.
On the other hand, I have friends who juggle multiple WIPs at once and love writing that way.
As always, great post! :)
Posted by: Mae Clair | October 24, 2012 at 02:01 PM
Q, completely agree with "all work on the WIP" makes Donna dull girl. Not to mention a cranky one. LOL Whenever a story becomes "work", it's natural that our creative muse is going to want to play. That's why I can usually appease it with the promise of getting to do something fun later--taking notes or letting my brain drift off during breaks--all of that helps, as you said.
And creativity can be a bit fragile! Or at least it seems that way since it comes and goes, without a real link to effort or determination sometimes. It's no wonder writers are an odd bunch. LOL Now give me some of that wine you mentioned. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | October 24, 2012 at 09:30 PM
Mae, you're so right -- we all have methods that work best for us. And then when we have it all figured out, it changes up again. LOL I also think the temptation of the new WIP strikes when the story stalls -- as you mentioned -- and that's when tough love is called for, so we don't run away.
I tend to have another story always brewing in the background while I'm working on the WIP. That's why I like to take notes, so I don't miss any good stuff. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | October 24, 2012 at 09:32 PM
Great post! In fact, after writing a very lengthy comment, I decided you've inspired a blog post for my own blog. LOL! I think the pros and cons of each method (one story start to finish or multiple stories written simultaneously) are very interesting. I'm just glad we don't HAVE to choose one way or we can change (and change back again) as we see we need to down the road.
Posted by: Melissa | October 25, 2012 at 01:22 PM
Melissa, I can't wait to read your blog post! I love that I inspired it. :) There are definite pros and cons to each method -- and I'm with you, I'm glad we can choose the one that works for us each time. Because I know for me it's never the same thing each time. LOL
Posted by: Donna Cummings | October 26, 2012 at 08:28 AM
Great post - I usually make a few notes in a new Word document and add to it if the new WIP is really persistent. It's so tempting to abandon the old one...
Posted by: Linda | October 27, 2012 at 12:32 PM
Linda, thanks for stopping by! It IS tempting to abandon the old WIP, especially if it is being cantankerous. But then I can end up with so many half-finished projects. I like to put the notes in a new Word doc too, and then come back and see what I wrote. It's usually a huge surprise. LOL
Posted by: Donna Cummings | October 28, 2012 at 11:47 PM