Before tackling the movie, the directors and producers met to watch the first two movies back to back. Director Lee Unkrich said this:
We were immediately depressed. We thought, 'These are so good, how can we make another one?' Then we remembered we were the people who made them. If anyone is going to do it, maybe we can pull it off."
I have been in this place for the last year. I wrote a book I loved. Then I've floundered for the past year trying to write one to top it. How can I ever write another book that I like as much as that one?
Then I realized: I was the one who wrote it. And if I could write that one, I could probably pull off another.
Okay, to give credit where it's due, it was mostly my writers group that impressed this on me. And it's mostly as I siphoned small bits and pieces to them with email subject lines like "I think I'm boring myself with this one" and "to dump or not to dump, that is the question," that they pointed out that what they loved about my writing in my last book is still coming through in this one.
So I've stopped asking, "Is this good enough?" and just started writing. And the more I write, the easier it is to write. I'm starting to really love the characters, although I have to admit that to some extent I'm still figuring some of them out. But that's been part of the excitement of the journey through this story. It's the same excitement as Babs developing over the course of writing.
So I'm writing a lot more. Which means I'm blogging less.
No worries, though. I'm sure this enthusiasm and writing spree won't last and I'll be back to regular blogging. Until then, though, the TV shows are piling up on the DVR, the book beside my bed lays unopened, the dinners are late, and the milk is running low.
But hey howdy hey, I'm on a roll!
Keep rolling! It sound like you are going in the right direction!
ReplyDeleteI love it, sounds like the list at the end of your post are good signs! :0)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're on a roll now. Continuing writing is the best way to keep improving our writing.
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel a little bit, though. I LOVED my last manuscript. I loved the way it was written and the emotion it evoked. It was a little more serious and had a stronger message. So when I started writing my new WIP it just didn't feel as fulfilling. It was hard to keep writing but eventually I fell in love with my characters and really got into the story.
This is good news that you are on a writing roll! That's what you should be doing:))
ReplyDeletein the spirit of Toy Story... "Write like the wind Bullseye!!"
ReplyDeleteI read that interview and I love Entertainment Weekly.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great attitude to have.
Good for you! We are the same way...if we overthink anything, we get stuck! Keep going...
ReplyDelete"Is it good enough?" can stop you dead in your tracks. Glad to hear you're gone beyond that and plunged back into writing.
ReplyDelete;-)
I love what you've shared here, Heidi. And the quote from the Toy Story people is hilarious. In fact, I think I'm going to add it to my list of favorite quotes.
ReplyDeleteI always wonder if--I mean WHEN I sell my first novel ;o), if I'll feel all kinds of pressure when it comes to writing a second one. I like the idea of taking just one step at a time...until I'm on a roll again.