As some people who are aware of my existence might be aware, I have been having a major writer’s “freeze”, as someone on Threads called it. It’s not a block, I know what I want to write and some things have outlines, but I just can’t … words. I can’t get anything onto the page. (And maybe it’s because I’m at the end of this project, and the final book in a series, so I’m freezing because I don’t want it to end?)
Anyway, that’s not important, though the freeze is lifting here and there, but slowly.
In the meantime, I’ve uploaded my unfinished manuscript onto my Kobo and am reading it, leaving myself notes, finding typos. I’m essentially going through a revision process, even though I have at least 4 chapters left to write. I’m breaking a major rule most people make about not editing as you go, and yet it’s helping. It’s helping me find the flaws I need to fix, and getting me back into the character’s voice and the rhythm of her story. It’s helping me see gaps where a character or moment should be worked into earlier chapters so they don’t come out of nowhere and leave the reader saying “who even is this?” I’ve even found a good moment to foreshadow something I hadn’t thought to foreshadow before. And if anyone knows me, and my books, you know I love foreshadowing.
It’s not a plot twist if you didn’t foreshadow it, it’s a rug pull and a sign of bad writing. At least, that’s my opinion. I think a good book should give the reader at least one subtle hint about a plot twist or reveal, rather than building only red herrings, or essentially retconning their own lore halfway through just for the shock value. If you have to lie to surprise your readers, you’re not doing it right!
Anyway, I digress.
If you are also an author is struggling with or has struggled with writer’s freeze, how did you beat it? What did it take? If you haven’t beaten it, maybe try what I’m doing and see where that takes you.
That’s it for today. I hope the next book you read is amazing!
