I'm still at the "writing lots but finishing nothing" stage. Now I think I've realised why!
I decided to go through a pile of memory sticks sat in the top drawer and found writing that spans 4 years, none of it ever at a point where I could say it was complete. I noticed that a lot of my "unique" and "fresh" ideas weren't actually either - there was a repitition to the themes but each with a different branch shooting out. Then it occured to me, that I may never finish if I don't decide which branches to nurture and which to cut off for a different project.
If my writing is my home, then these memory sticks were definately the cupboard under the stairs!
So, to stop the rambling through these branches I'm asking, Does anyone else have this task ahead of them? How are you going to decide what to pull together and what to pull apart?
Hi Emma
I also agree with Lorraine. Emma for me it is part of the long process of getting something together that feels right. I also have many unfinished bits where a flash of inspiration took me only to get blocked or stopped later on. When this happens I say to myself that at least I am writing and generating material. I categorize my pieces and put them under headings which I keep in a box near my laptop and when I feel stuck or uninspired with the current piece i'm working on I take a look through my headings and always seem to find a piece that I can jiggle around and make work. Your cupboard maybe full, but it's there for a reason...we all need storage.
Lots of luck
Andrea
Hi Emma.
Yes, I also agree with Emma. On top of that, what I do is write all my story/piece titles down, then I do a quick mental assestment of how far on each one is - is it just a premise, or a synopsis, or maybe ten thousand words - then I ask myself whether it has legs/is it something people will want to read; then finally, I decide how many more ideas I have to include in each one. That way I can sort them into definites, maybes and not right nows.
From this shortened list I decide which one(s) appeal the most to me. I find the piece you work hardest on is the one you like (in a literary sense) and start working on that, setting some realistic goals for myself. It's good for your morale to get something finished or achieved, and as soon as you hit one target that'll give you a boost for the next one.
Good luck and keep on doing.
PabloJ.
Well said Lorraine! Hopefully clearing out that metaphorical cupboard under the stairs will help you move forward with developing one of the ideas that speaks to you most clearly. Good luck :-)