Monday 8 April 2013

G is for Germination

Image courtesy of zirconicusso / freedigitalphotos.net
Sometimes ideas spring forth and we can get to work straight away, other times (mostly in my case), we
need to let these ideas germinate for a while before putting pen to paper.

I have several novel ideas germinating in my brain at the moment and my current WIP is one that was germinating for quite a few years. Last year I decided it was about time to start the actual writing and I have been struggling with it for months now. I have all the characters and the plot fleshed out, but something just isn't working. I am having problems with the story world and the timeframe and have been trying to force myself to write anyway and becoming increasingly frustrated. I know that this particular story has the potential to be a really great novel and I want more than anything to get it written, but I think it is time to accept that I need to let it germinate a while longer yet and work on something else. Sometimes the solutions come to us when we stop focusing on them so hard.

Have you ever had to put a writing project aside to germinate for a while longer? Let me know in the comments below, I'd love to hear from you.

I'm going to be away on holiday until 15th April, but I have scheduled all the posts for while I'm away. I will try and log in once a day to check everything is running smoothly and reply to as many comments as I can. If you leave a comment I will visit your blog when I return and reciprocate. Happy A to Z'ing.
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8 comments:

  1. Unknown8 April 2013 at 11:54

    I don't think I've ever intentionally put an idea aside. It's more like I had to hold onto it until the other B.S. in life got out of the way.

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  2. Unknown8 April 2013 at 12:29

    Oh, boy, can I ever relate to germination. I take forever. I always have to think and think about things. Wish I could be more spontaneous!

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  3. Unknown8 April 2013 at 13:32

    I have a project that I have put aside for a bit. I love it, but it is missing "something" and until I figure out what that something is, it's not going to work.

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  4. Tara Tyler8 April 2013 at 16:21

    these are all great posts with useful advice!
    from quotes to links to encouragement!
    great, great, great!

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  5. Nana Prah8 April 2013 at 19:39

    I think the germination happens when you are working on one story. The other ideas have nowhere to be but in your head until you get a chance to write.

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  6. L8 April 2013 at 22:29

    In future I am going to call my procrastination germination; sounds much more positive!

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  7. Intangible Hearts9 April 2013 at 01:36

    I like what L wrote. Procrastination is part of my germination process. LOL

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  8. K.E.9 April 2013 at 03:04

    Wise words. I have learned to let my ideas "germinate" for quite awhile before writing them into a novel. I, too, have found that sometimes when a novel isn't quite working, putting it aside for awhile longer can be beneficial. Unfortunately, I'm signed up for Camp NaNoWriMo this month, and putting this WIP aside isn't an option... best of luck to you!

    Ingrid
    http://tantusamorscribendi.blogspot.com

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