It always happens

So I was hacking away at my WIP yesterday and I came across a mirage. My tiny writer’s brain thought it saw a better book in the distance, tempting me, calling to me.

“You don’t want to continue in your WIP,” it cooed. “Come to me. I am the perfect novel. Look – aren’t my characters more interesting? Doesn’t the plot turn delightfully? You know you want to write me.”

Oh, nasty mirage. Oh, dark temptation!

This happens during every novel. Every stinking one. I’m not sure where it comes from: desperation, fear, inadequacy. But I know this is a temptation that needs to be faced head on, or it doesn’t go away. I took a couple hours and wrote up a summary of the new idea, then I went back to the WIP.

Happy Summer Solstice. This is a great time of year to be in Scandinavia.

42 Replies to “It always happens”

  1. lets go to Scandinavia! Im Irish & Scandinavian, I need to learn more about my culture. we can make it a field trip 😉

    Maybe its good that you think of another novel, I mean we can never have too many ideas. Whats WIP?

    Have a great day!

  2. lets go to Scandinavia! Im Irish & Scandinavian, I need to learn more about my culture. we can make it a field trip 😉

    Maybe its good that you think of another novel, I mean we can never have too many ideas. Whats WIP?

    Have a great day!

  3. lets go to Scandinavia! Im Irish & Scandinavian, I need to learn more about my culture. we can make it a field trip 😉

    Maybe its good that you think of another novel, I mean we can never have too many ideas. Whats WIP?

    Have a great day!

  4. I lived in Denmark for a year a long time ago. It is one of my favorite places in the world. A field trip sounds like fun!!! (Pastry!!)

    WIP = Work In Progress aka the book I am writing right now, which – if I am a very good girl and work hard – might be published late next year.

  5. I lived in Denmark for a year a long time ago. It is one of my favorite places in the world. A field trip sounds like fun!!! (Pastry!!)

    WIP = Work In Progress aka the book I am writing right now, which – if I am a very good girl and work hard – might be published late next year.

  6. I lived in Denmark for a year a long time ago. It is one of my favorite places in the world. A field trip sounds like fun!!! (Pastry!!)

    WIP = Work In Progress aka the book I am writing right now, which – if I am a very good girl and work hard – might be published late next year.

  7. A mirage? I love it! What a perfect description. And it’s so good to know that I’m not the only one this happens to.

    ~Maggie 🙂

  8. A mirage? I love it! What a perfect description. And it’s so good to know that I’m not the only one this happens to.

    ~Maggie 🙂

  9. A mirage? I love it! What a perfect description. And it’s so good to know that I’m not the only one this happens to.

    ~Maggie 🙂

  10. That would be so exciting, living in a different country. I hope I do that one day, either live there for a few months or a year. Ive always wondered if I would be one of those people who love the country so much they end up living there the rest of their lives. What time would you like to leave for the field trip? 😉 Check your schedule and let me know.

    WIP, I get it now. Thanks for the explanation. Please be a good girl and work hard, I cant wait for your new book. I requested Prom & Fever 1793. Fever is in transit and still waiting on Prom. Hopefully they come soon. Read any good books lately that you would recommend?

  11. That would be so exciting, living in a different country. I hope I do that one day, either live there for a few months or a year. Ive always wondered if I would be one of those people who love the country so much they end up living there the rest of their lives. What time would you like to leave for the field trip? 😉 Check your schedule and let me know.

    WIP, I get it now. Thanks for the explanation. Please be a good girl and work hard, I cant wait for your new book. I requested Prom & Fever 1793. Fever is in transit and still waiting on Prom. Hopefully they come soon. Read any good books lately that you would recommend?

  12. That would be so exciting, living in a different country. I hope I do that one day, either live there for a few months or a year. Ive always wondered if I would be one of those people who love the country so much they end up living there the rest of their lives. What time would you like to leave for the field trip? 😉 Check your schedule and let me know.

    WIP, I get it now. Thanks for the explanation. Please be a good girl and work hard, I cant wait for your new book. I requested Prom & Fever 1793. Fever is in transit and still waiting on Prom. Hopefully they come soon. Read any good books lately that you would recommend?

  13. “You don’t want to continue in your WIP,” it cooed. “Come to me. I am the perfect novel. Look – aren’t my characters more interesting? Doesn’t the plot turn delightfully? You know you want to write me.”

    WOW! It happens to you too!! 🙂 I’m so glad I’m not the only one….

  14. “You don’t want to continue in your WIP,” it cooed. “Come to me. I am the perfect novel. Look – aren’t my characters more interesting? Doesn’t the plot turn delightfully? You know you want to write me.”

    WOW! It happens to you too!! 🙂 I’m so glad I’m not the only one….

  15. “You don’t want to continue in your WIP,” it cooed. “Come to me. I am the perfect novel. Look – aren’t my characters more interesting? Doesn’t the plot turn delightfully? You know you want to write me.”

    WOW! It happens to you too!! 🙂 I’m so glad I’m not the only one….

  16. Seduction by new plots

    I feel so much better now that I realise that I am not alone. I have done all the research for my current wip but I am beset by other ideas which are doing their best to seduce me away from it.

  17. Seduction by new plots

    I feel so much better now that I realise that I am not alone. I have done all the research for my current wip but I am beset by other ideas which are doing their best to seduce me away from it.

  18. Seduction by new plots

    I feel so much better now that I realise that I am not alone. I have done all the research for my current wip but I am beset by other ideas which are doing their best to seduce me away from it.

  19. I’ve never heard the term “mirage” used, but I like it. That’s …exactly what those blasted things are. Nice, nice.

    Scandinavia seems nice. I like the sound of Barrow, Alaska, though.

  20. I’ve never heard the term “mirage” used, but I like it. That’s …exactly what those blasted things are. Nice, nice.

    Scandinavia seems nice. I like the sound of Barrow, Alaska, though.

  21. I’ve never heard the term “mirage” used, but I like it. That’s …exactly what those blasted things are. Nice, nice.

    Scandinavia seems nice. I like the sound of Barrow, Alaska, though.

  22. The WIP I set aside calls from the shelf; “Don’t you love me anymore?” While the one I’m working on occasionally whispers; “Loser.”

  23. The WIP I set aside calls from the shelf; “Don’t you love me anymore?” While the one I’m working on occasionally whispers; “Loser.”

  24. The WIP I set aside calls from the shelf; “Don’t you love me anymore?” While the one I’m working on occasionally whispers; “Loser.”

  25. “Mirage” is such a great name for it. As a beginning novelist, I’m happy to know that it’s not just my inexperience — since, obviously, experienced folks like yourself get it too. Have any of them ever panned out?

    I’ve stopped by and read your blog a few times before, and it’s always enjoyable. Today, I finished reading Prom, and loved it. You captured the mc’s voice so very well. Here’s hoping it’s selling as well as it deserves to — it was really quite entertaining!!

  26. “Mirage” is such a great name for it. As a beginning novelist, I’m happy to know that it’s not just my inexperience — since, obviously, experienced folks like yourself get it too. Have any of them ever panned out?

    I’ve stopped by and read your blog a few times before, and it’s always enjoyable. Today, I finished reading Prom, and loved it. You captured the mc’s voice so very well. Here’s hoping it’s selling as well as it deserves to — it was really quite entertaining!!

  27. “Mirage” is such a great name for it. As a beginning novelist, I’m happy to know that it’s not just my inexperience — since, obviously, experienced folks like yourself get it too. Have any of them ever panned out?

    I’ve stopped by and read your blog a few times before, and it’s always enjoyable. Today, I finished reading Prom, and loved it. You captured the mc’s voice so very well. Here’s hoping it’s selling as well as it deserves to — it was really quite entertaining!!

  28. This is My Summer With Vonnegut – I’m reading everything the guy wrote. If you haven’t read him it’s worth a try.

  29. This is My Summer With Vonnegut – I’m reading everything the guy wrote. If you haven’t read him it’s worth a try.

  30. This is My Summer With Vonnegut – I’m reading everything the guy wrote. If you haven’t read him it’s worth a try.

  31. Thanks! I’m glad you liked PROM. I’ve gotten great feedback about it.

    Yes, mirages pan out. One of them turned into a picture book coming out in 2007.

  32. Thanks! I’m glad you liked PROM. I’ve gotten great feedback about it.

    Yes, mirages pan out. One of them turned into a picture book coming out in 2007.

  33. Thanks! I’m glad you liked PROM. I’ve gotten great feedback about it.

    Yes, mirages pan out. One of them turned into a picture book coming out in 2007.

  34. Thanks. Nice to know it’s an every writer thing. I’m jotting down notes on a mirage now – well not now now but a few minutes ago. Right now I’m procrastinating on both novels while reading blogs.

  35. Thanks. Nice to know it’s an every writer thing. I’m jotting down notes on a mirage now – well not now now but a few minutes ago. Right now I’m procrastinating on both novels while reading blogs.

  36. Thanks. Nice to know it’s an every writer thing. I’m jotting down notes on a mirage now – well not now now but a few minutes ago. Right now I’m procrastinating on both novels while reading blogs.

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