Doin’ the Cringe
PULLING AN OLD ONE OUT OF THE DRAWER.
Wargame projects complete for the moment, I’ve returned to my post-apocalyptic fantasy story, Shattered Worlds. I’ve spent the last two weeks editing the second portion and am reminded I’ve been chipping away at this one for a long, long time. So on top of feeling like a total slacker, there’s a dash of cringe as I review and correct the original draft from 5+ years ago. Honestly, it’s as daunting as writing a whole new book. In fact, I suspect that might be easier… which is part of the reason I’m also first-draft into a dungeon crawl adventure. (more on that later)
It’s all part of the process, though; that learning to do something poorly before you can learn to do it well thing. IIRC, it was Stephen King who said that every writer who continues gets to that place where they want to buy back every copy of their first book so no one ever reads it. This is one instance I can say ‘I’ve arrived’, and also confess I have NOT reread my first novel – Running Black – for that exact reason. (that and the fact I don’t have the $$$ to repay the few dozen gracious souls who plowed through it.)
RB was 2009/2010. Now here I am in 2023. I can’t judge accurately if my writing has ‘improved’ in the last 13+ years; I hope it’s better. It’s changed, that’s for sure. If I’m being totally honest, it wasn’t until the recent Soul Cache that I was confident enough for a Kirkus Review.
Thing is, the desire to write keeps scratching at the back of my mind. It’s important for my soul – my sanity – not just for those monthly royalties. Perhaps I’ll achieve a measure of commercial success someday. Perhaps not. Either way, I’m going to keep at it.
Regarding Shattered Worlds, I think even after all this time the story has good bones and that I’ve gotten to a place craft-wise to do them justice. I’m also confident the dungeon crawl piece will be decent, partially because I’ve learned from my many mistakes and cleared enough junk out of the way to make a half-decent show of it. God willing and if the creek don’t rise and the cattle don’t stampede, both will be available by the end of this year.
Now it’s back to work for me. Have a good day.
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Hey, I'm in the same boat! Starting work again on stuff from 2019. And I don't think your stuff is cringe at all! (Well, I've yet to read Running Black)
"Honestly, it’s as daunting as writing a whole new book. In fact, I suspect that might be easier… "
Aye, there's always the urge to start something new; fresh projects have that creative energy burst, but eventually they get bogged down too and then you're stuck with TWO half-done projects! Or four in my case...
"Thing is, the desire to write keeps scratching at the back of my mind. It’s important for my soul – my sanity – not just for those monthly royalties. Perhaps I’ll achieve a measure of commercial success someday. Perhaps not. Either way, I’m going to keep at it."
Couldn't agree more! I think that's the best outlook on creative projects and it keeps you creating things you love, not chasing the bestseller (not to say there's anything wrong with bestsellers either, but I've been seeing a large amount of people writing for profit first and foremost and it shows).
"God willing and if the creek don’t rise and the cattle don’t stampede, both will be available by the end of this year."
Absolutely looking forward to both! Good luck and thanks for the update!