Writing a novel is hard. It takes a lot of time, a lot of effort, and a lot of yourself. But then there's that moment, that sentence, or that chapter that makes everything worthwhile.
When everything just clicks into place is the best, for me anyways. I love it when my characters and plot have been running around wildly, but everything just suddenly falls right into place perfectly.
What is the best part, the part that makes it all worth it, of writing a novel for you?
What Makes It Worthwhile
13 posts in this topic.
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That's one of my favorite parts, too, Lauren, but not the best. I was looking at some of my old works earlier, and I was kind of amazed at myself. I had written something actually good, maybe even great. At the time I thought it was okay at best, horrible at worst. I saw all of the errors, but couldn't think of how to fix them. Looking back now, they're not problems. They're actually what makes it good. What I thought was pure genius, that's the problem. Or it's not, but it's not as good as the "problems."
Anyways, what I like is looking back on things and realizing I'm actually a decent writer, and that no matter how hard it sometimes gets, it's worth it. -
I think what makes it all worthwhile is reading through it, after, like, six drafts, and feeling exactly you do when you're reading a professional book, or when one of your friends (who's incredibly honest) claims it's better than some published work, when it's still written in black ballpoint in a beat up notebook. And when you have a burst of inspiration, the feeling you get when each word just comes so easily, and it all falls together so perfectly.
I love that. -
When everything comes together. When you get stuck in one place and then remember the half-thought out idea you came up with forty-six pages ago that makes it all CLICK. When you write the last few words in a rough draft (BEFORE you remember how boring revision can be. XD)
And - as I found out yesterday - when you realize that a relatively lame minor character who you thought about deleting entirely before turns out to be an evil mastermind who is gonna ROCK YOUR FACE OFF in Book 4...
Oh... Book 4... Why must you be so far away? T-T -
Hmm.... because I want to see what happens next? I like finding out. Also those random flashes of inspiration--(But why would he do that? OMG I know!) That make the work count spike.
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What makes it worthwhile?
Knowing when you found something you'll enjoy writing. Knowing that you can relate to your characters or converse with them in your mind, knowing them like brothers or sisters. Knowing that when you write the story itself, you lose track of time and have to remind yourself to eat and drink only because stopping is like stopping a blockbuster, sold-out-of-theaters-for-a-week-straight movie in the middle of the action.
That makes me think it's all worthwhile. ;] -
When I'm laying in my bathtub enjoying a bubble bath and suddenly everything 'clicks' into place. Knowing that the easiest part is getting published, yes, I said it. The hardest part for me will be seeing it through to the end.
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I agree with Ninj in part. Having the unedited version written out in [red] ink in some old notebook being read and praised is one of the most wonderful, motivating things in the world.
Or when you tell a friend, let them read it, and they go brag to all your other friends about how awesome it is....and then you have a line-up of people you get to taunt by saying, "Buy a copy when it gets published!" -
I like when you'be been struggling with a chapter, and it all suddenly makes sense because you're looking at it with a slight twist.
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Nothing makes it worthwhile more than being able to say that it wasn't a waste.
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What makes it worthwhile for me:
1. Writing 'THE END'.
2. Reading it after the million and one-th draft and finally thinking "I like it."
3. Meeting my characters. -
When you laugh out loud after reading an old draft. Or you know, cry I suppose. Depending on the scene.
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Liking what I've written and receiving positive reviews.
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