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It's been about thirteen months since I started my first novel, Positive Tension. I've been around the bend with that book. I've made it a lot better, but I think it needs a lot more work. My husband edited for me, and he thought the book was good overall, but that it needed work in certain areas. When he was close to finishing, I found that he hadn't found the "issue" that I had with the book. I knew there was something there, but for the life of me, I didn't know what it was. Well, it finally came to me. This book shouldn't be a series. The bits I was saving for a possible sequel should go into the book, in order for the story to be as rich as it possibly can.
When I realized this, I was cooking dinner and pondered putting my head in the oven (okay, not seriously). In order to make these changes, I have to take into account all the ideas my husband had, and I'd have to rewrite big chunks. I'm torn as to whether it's worth it. I know there's a certain school of thought about first novels, that they should all be locked away. Part of me thinks this is true, but the other part of me thinks if I did this work, I could have a really unique book on my hands. For the interim, I've decided to stick it in a drawer for a few months while I work on other projects. I'm hoping an extended break will reignite my passion for the story.
Have you walked away from a novel? Did you ever go back to it? Do you have any regrets?
I understand exactly how you feel. I am shelving my first novel for now, although I dearly love the story. Perhaps one day in the future, I will have the urge to return to it and complete it entirely.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to my future projects.
I agree-I love the story too much to say goodbye to it forever, but I have different priorities now. Good luck to you on your future projects! :)
ReplyDeleteI think shelving it for a couple of months is a good idea. That way when you go back to it your emotions won't be clouding your judgement as much.
ReplyDeleteYes! I have two shelved novels that were never edited. I always meant to, but I never got to it. And, while I thought they were THE ONE at the time, I've realized that I've grown so much as a writer, I'd probably have to rewrite them from the ground up to really make them workable.
ReplyDeleteI think the key is to see this as an opportunity to take everything you learned with project one and use it on a new book.