I got my first chapter crit back from Chimera Critiques and I can't even really bring myself to look at it (OK, I glanced at it, but I know I've got to let it sit aside for a bit before I dive in. Got to separate myself from any emotions so I can look at it objectively).
I think my funks align directly with my "day job". If I'm a bit fed up there (like now, because I've got all these projects to do that I'd just rather not) then it bleeds over into real life.
Mostly I just want a few weeks off from work where I can sleep in and relax and do nothing. (I've never had more than 10 days off from any job I've ever held. I can't even imagine what it would be like to have more that two weeks off from work. I bet I'd never want to come back)
In the past I know a cure for a nice funk is just time. If I wait long enough, it will go away. But I feel like I'm just wasting time. I would love to be at the next stage, seriously crafting a query to send out. I'm not even worried about if Foxfire will be accepted or rejected. Obvs acception (...is this a word...?) would be AWESOME, but I don't have a problem with trying again if it's not.
Le Sigh. Stupid funks. Messing things up.
I think I'm going to start line editing some of Foxfire. That's an easy revision process that I can just do without any commitment. I mean, I'll need to do 2-3 more line edits later so one right now won't hurt anything.
Then maybe I can tackle some of the bigger changes that have to happen (heightening conflict, making MC Fox as likable and enigmatic as MC Quill, working on that hook).
Is it the weekend yet?
20 comments:
maybe the rain this weekend and me being gone all day friday will help. I mean, what else you gonna do?
Fight the Funk Falen! You can do it!
I hate funks to, everybody falls into them once and awhile. It's normal. Do something different this weekend. Take your puppy to the park! Get a massage! Eat some yummy ice cream! Veg out! Don't think about your ms...just think about you!
~JD
Yes, do something different. Tackle a different project.
I get funks A LOT. This time around, I've been working on finishing moving in to (see? together or separate?) our apartment and getting it nice-looking. The garden is helping too. Yesterday I went and bought 3 new houseplants... Meanwhile, I think about my book, kinda like I'd think about someone else's book. Sometimes it makes me excited, sometimes it makes my funk worse. :-S
Anne - you know, work and all that junk
Justine - yeah i can pretty much promise you there will be vegging out this weekend. It's pretty par for the course
Alex - i'd like to, but past circumstances tell me that if a start a new project, the old one gets abandoned.
Summer - i wish we could start some heavy gardening. the veggie garden is getting an overhaul adn it's been raining a lot. Also the gardening kiosks aren't open yet. In MN, gardening doesn't really begin until May...
I've been a rut lately too. Since my novel is basically written in my head, I feel like it's done. Isn't that weird? I wish I could just transfer my thoughts to my computer without actually typing anything. That would be sweet. Then I would be done. But it's Thursday, only one more day!
I feel you about day jobs. I mean I am happy to have one but lately it has sucked.
It really sucks when it drains you so much that you can't work on the things you really want to.
Ahhh, Revision Hell...and Procrstinating Techiniques! I know the feeling intimately. (I STILL haven't done that dreaded research I NEED to do to finish my current novel)
Yes, starting with the easy edits is a good way to get back in the story.
Also, sometimes looking at the critiqued work will spark real motivation, as they give you clear areas to fix.
Sometimes bribing myself works to funk-free myself.
Good luck. :)
I blame the weather - at least here (raining with snow mix - gah!)
I think others have the right advice - try something new, just to break the cycle.
I can totally relate! I hate my current job and I know that my dissatisfaction with it is affecting my time with my WIP.
Fortunately, I'm leaving my current job Sunday and starting a new job on Monday. Maybe things will start to turn around. :o)
I call my funks weekdays. So I'm right there with you. I'm ecstatic to have a full weekend off from work while only having to be on call Sunday.
Go buy something, or have a really nice dinner. That usually helps my funks (and my debt...).
I can't even imagine what it would be like to have more that two weeks off from work.
The most time off I've ever taken at one time was two weeks, and it was AWESOME.
I bet I'd never want to come back
Heck, I don't want to go back to work after a weekend. :)
I find funks are wider and deeper in the winter.
How's spring showing up in your neighborhood. Any flowers peeking up from hidden and/or unlikely places?
My experience: Works always the pits -- except for when I worked at a weekly newspaper. Then, it was just a pain in the a**.
Yuck. I'm in a funk, too. After having re-written the last 3/5 of my WIP, I realize how much work I still have to do and just want to go die, because my pretty query letter (which is all ready to go) is just sitting there collecting dust.
We should have an anti-funk party.
Maybe line-editing will get you back into the groove of Foxfire, and you'll get enthusiastic and suddenly you won't be able to work fast enough to get the bigger changes you want to make done.
Palindrome - yeah i've had that problem before. But then crazy fun stuff always pops up in the first draft that changes things around
Mathew - yeah that it the worst. I mean i shouldn't be complaining because i have a job that pays well and lets me work at home, but stil...
Lola - that's true. I've now peeked at the crit and it seems to have revitalized me some
Jaydee - we have rain for the rest of the weekend. Boo!
E Elle - OOH! Good luck on your new job!
Teebore - Ha! True, true. We go out to eat a lot so it's not really a treat, per se. And truthishly, i don't want to go back to work after every day.
Kay - the lilacs are just starting to bloom, so i'm sure that will help some
Alexandra - oy, i hear that. Though i think my nice, shiny, wonderful query probably needs to be re-written, but still...
I agree, sometimes the best way to get through a funk is to wait it out. Then again, how about having someone else impose a deadline on you? Nothing like incentive to give you a kick in the pants. I know this because it's happening to me right now!
Sorry about the funk. I suppose I shouldn't tell you that I'm counting down the days until May 28, because then I won't have to go back to work until August 20...
And it is hard. Going back to work.
Hope you find your way through the funk soon. *hugs*
You're right that the funk will go away eventually. It always does. But it's no fun waiting it out! Do something fun this weekend like playing miniature golf or even writing something new. Do something for YOU! Funks don't last forever. (Thank goodness for that!)
janel - the deadline would have to have a prize or consequence, otherwise i'd just bunny out of it
Elana - o.m.g. That is such a huge break from work! so jealous...
But yeah, i probably wouldn't go back
Laura - ooh we love mini golf in our family, but rain this weekend will put an end to that
you can do it!!! just hang in there! you've got the spunk to fight the funk!!
also: i am obviously a huge dork.
hee hee.
I think you should look at your chapter so that way you can know where your story stands.Then you can make it even better so when you send it back it'll knock the silly socks off the editors :D
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