I've written 10,000 words, which is about 50 pages.
The problem? I had no idea what goes next! I felt like I was caught in quicksands, and all of my motivations were being sucked down.
I was beyond discouraged until I spoke with one of my teachers, and he informed me that this is the part where most author's get stuck at!
I had another teacher call the middle of the story the "muddy middle." I never understood what that meant until now.
Apart from figuring the "muddy middle" out, I also have to edit all of those 50 pages that I wrote.
Editing is a painstaking process. You have to cut out parts that don't work but cutting those parts outs hurts. It's as if you are cutting off a part of you.
Sometimes I want to give up and zone out to Netflix.
But then I remember Growth Mindset.
I remember my present and most basic goal in my writing career: to publish a novel!
I remind myself that without struggle, there is no progress.
I remind myself that it isn't about the end of the journey, it is about learning along the way.
Sometimes learning feels so difficult, it feels like struggling. But nothing truly worth anything in life is easy to obtain, is it?
And then I remember my motivations, and I write one word at a time, like one step at a time, and I am moving forward out of that so-called "muddy middle!"
(Image from: Growth Mindset Memes)
(Image from: Growth Mindset Memes)
Hey I hear you! I want to act for the camera now and I don't really like my video production stuff. It's kind of fun, but nothing like acting. So, being in school for my sixth year and still having one more semester, motivating myself is difficult. Don't get me wrong, I am extremely blessed. I just have worked hard for almost 6 years now and am ready to focus on one thing than work, morning class, and night class. Thanks for the positive message! We just have to keep chugging along.
ReplyDeleteHi Lore!
ReplyDeleteI still think it's so awesome that you're writing a novel. How has the overall experience been so far? Writing a novel is definitely at the top of my bucket list. I've wanted to write one (well multiple ones, really) for such a long time I just need to find a real starting point. I've juggled around a lot of ideas and random parts of the stories but haven't honestly jumped in. I can definitely see where you're coming from though. Success usually doesn't come without hard work. I think really reminding yourself of why you're doing what you're doing helps ease the struggle. It'll all be worth it! I truly, truly wish you the best in writing your novel and everything else! Have fun! :)