Fellow blogger, Hanny, sent me an email some time ago asking a question that stumped me. Like a hewed tree.
"I come home from work, sit at the computer, and type a word quota and leave it—no passion or enthusiasm at all . . . Should I just box it and start on something that really excites me, or keep at it and hope that it gets exciting or can be edited into something interesting?"
I honestly didn't know how to answer that. So I sat and thought. I drank some water from my glass and noticed it was half full. Or was it half empty? I couldn't answer that question, either! Then, like a fish, it came to me.
What happens if you write and you're not excited about it? If you have no passion or enthusiasm in what you're writing, is that going to reflect in your writing?
"I'd say that's a big 'yes.'"
Doctor Venkman--you stole the words from my mouth!
We don't typically do things that we're not passionate about. We don't fill our rental cues with movies we don't like, or read books that don't interest us. It doesn't make sense to write something if you have absolutely no enthusiasm for it. But you did, when you started.
You've invested time in this project. Thousands of words typed. You can either finish it or move on to something that you are passionate about. Does this mean you're a quitter? Does this mean what you've done is a lost cause? I don't think so. Not at all!
I'm a huge fan of Science Fiction. Why am I writing Fantasy, then? My enthusiasm for writing sci-fi did not match my watching, reading, or playing sci-fi related mediums. Do I want to write sci-fi, maybe even rewrite my first trilogy? Sure! The timing just isn't right for now. The problem is I don't have the right elements to make the story work like it should. I'm still waiting for the right reception. Until then, magic and undead are speaking to me. Go with your gut. There is no concrete answer.
If you find yourself disinterested in your current WiP, now is a good time to ask yourself a few questions:
Where did I lose interest for this story?
What's the best use of my precious time?
Do I simply need a break to think about it?
Is the story the problem, or is it just me?
This is not the rule, just my thoughts on the matter. If you're writing and plan to keep writing, then you obviously have a passion for writing. The best way to uncurb your enthusiasm is to explore the craft. There's much to learn. Even now, I've come to embrace flash fiction, and there's even a zombie novel in the mix now.
Don't panic. Just write. Enthusiasm will find you.
I'm David, and the calender is falling!
If you want to know more about writing, or want some advice on writing, feel free to contact me with questions.