Thursday, May 26, 2011

Aspiring Advice: The Stuck-On Syndrome


Managing May--late! I should take my own advice . . .

Ever heard of Stockholm Syndrome--that unusual condition when hostages feel empathy and positive feelings for their captors? It's a fascinating subject, but did you know there's a type of syndrome similar to Stockholm that confines writers? That's where Stuck-On Syndrome comes in (a made-up word, I know), when a writer is so enamored by their precious MS that they never stop tinkering with it. Do that long enough and you'll eventually bury yourself in a pile of reprints.

Such was the case with my first novel, going through nine drafts before I finally shelved it and moved on to something else. Instead of writing three novels in that space of three years, I wrote only one, and it's still inadequate. If anything, all those redrafts may be responsible for its current incoherency.

It don't really help when your story is a beast, either.

Yep. Classic Stockholm Syndrome . . .

How do we avoid this? For me, it's a three step process. First, I write the rough draft (and have my trusted alpha readers read along, chapter by chapter). Second, I write the 1st draft (which will go out to beta readers when the full MS is done). Third, I write the second draft (which is what I'll use to seek representation/publication). After that, the decision is up to you. I would go ahead and start work on a new MS as I wait for query responses.

This is not the rule, just my thoughts on the matter. There's nothing wrong about being in love with our creations--it's when we bow to the dictates of our perfectionism that we dig ourselves a hole. There comes a time when you must let go, before your MS becomes a hindrance and stunts your growth as a writer.

Have you been smitten by Stuck-On Syndrome? How do you prevent or pull yourself out of its simmering crater?

I'm David, and we're seeing Panda 2 this weekend!

6 comments:

  1. Oh I suffer from SS with my MS. (=

    Stockholm Syndrome fascinates me... there has been a lot of research on it...
    Muse has an awesome song of that name. Rock on.

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  2. Yup, I had this problem with my first novel too. Worked on it FOREVER until I finally took Brandon Sanderson's writing class and he told us we all had to start something brand new for the class. Best thing that ever happened to me!

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  3. Oh, what a great post! I think I might have Stuck-On Syndrome as we speak. My MS and I need to go our separate ways... but I just can't stop!

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  4. I love that! I have the same problem. I had to shelf my first two manuscripts because of that (but they weren't that good either. lol.).

    This was just what I needed to hear today! Thanks David!

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  5. There was the first book I ever wrote and wasted about two years in high school on before I realized I was never going to finish it. The book that had no end or plot come to think of it. I adore that Stuck-On Syndrome becomes SOS, it really can be a plea for help when you have problems shelving it!

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  6. Luckily for me, I'm easily bored, so after tinkering with it for a while I either finish it or move on to something else.

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