The Creative Hole

After running at approximately 2,000 words per day (usually more) for the last few weeks, I think I may have finally (and unfortunately) burned myself out. I can see it in my writing as my characterization and word choice dwindles, as my plot development almost ceases to exist, as my drive to create drifts away like a scent lost to the wind.

What I’m uncertain of at this point is whether or not I’m simply fatigued from writing or if the story itself is running me down. I’ve reached a point in the previous draft where I seemed to be running blindly through the scenes, as though I initially planned on inserting placeholders for future Warren to care for and replace as needed. These scenes are dialogue heavy and insert plot holes that need to be rectified and deleted during this adjustment period, and are also just not that exciting.

I’ve made numerous edits and updates, such as removing a throwaway character and substituting her with another, equally effective character already introduced within the narrative, as well as changing a key moment to be more defined, less abstract in its tumultuous direction; however, after killing off one of my favorite characters last Friday in an emotionally-charged chapter and follow-up, the following scenes simply don’t do it for me, despite another conflict-charged death serving as a main crux of the conclusion.

I understand their need to be included, as they set up the ending climax and, actually, directly feed into them, but I also understand why I had such difficulties originally and continue to now: these aren’t the parts I want to write.

You know what these are? These are those filler episodes for television shows that seem unimportant now and which you are oh so tempted to skip, but which pay off heavily in coming seasons and allow you to see how the writers developed and managed their ideas not just for a few episodes, but for the entire length of the series.

These are absolutely necessary and, after my adjustments, perfectly fine to read. However, writing them is an absolute bore at times. Perhaps this means they will need to be edited further in the future, but for now, I suppose I’ll continue to trudge along, hoping beyond hope that my desire to write returns.



The above was written on Monday. Now for today’s opinion:


I think it was all because my iPod was dead. All is well now. Carry on.

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