So here's a thing I'm dealing with currently (and I'd like to thank @Banafsheh for inspiring me to post about it with her NWC goal post). This is a thing I often struggle with on longer projects
I'm 3/4 of the way done drafting on my feature project, Tethered. I sit down and start writing and I feel... Nothing. No excitement. No, ooooh what if. I feel nada. I did. Until this past week.
My non pro readers? Salivating.
Me? I'm bored out of my flipping mind.
And this is absolutely not a boring story. Not in the least and I know that I'm just ready to finish it so I can work on drafting something else.
Is this is writer's version of being an adrenaline junkie?
A friend suggested it's because I reread it too much and too often. Can't help it, I am a continuity gremlin.
I know this phase usually hits right before tunnel-vision kicks in again and suddenly I’m dashing toward the finish line with a feral grin, forgetting punctuation and capitalization exists in my crazed chase for 'fin'. i know it’s normal — at least for some creative brains.
But still.
Do you get midpoint fatigue?
Do you get desensitized to your own story after a while?
What helps you push through?
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I reread my outline and get excited about the project again when that happens, Elle Bolan. And sometimes I just push through the midpoint fatigue and finish or write random scenes for fun to get excited again.
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@Maurice I might try jumping ahead to see if that sparks some excitement! Thanks!
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You're welcome, Elle Bolan. That's a great idea! Hope it helps!
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I know the feelin, Elle. I think it's midpoint ADHD with me. I just want to move on to something else. But, using this Nov Write Club thing to try and soldier through to the finish.
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@G Robert I'm also an ADHD writer so I get that too!
I think my biggest concern is that I will actually mess up the story by trying to amp up tension I can't feel because I'm desensitized.
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My suggestion is, treating characters as people, give them heck, or make them happy. Out of the stream of your storyline, throw them a party, have them climb a shear mountain face and fall off only to be saved by another character. Put them into group therapy. I know this is a detour, but writing is supposed to be fun. Do our characters know that? Mine don't always get it. But I do love to play with their minds.
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@David Austin Veal it's so funny that you mentioned having one climb a rock face and fall.
That would actually be in the script haha.