Revelations & Deadlines

This week, I had two revelations.

Firstly, I make my stories too complicated. I get bogged down with a lot of cool little details, and when they are just too much to remember and research I am put off the story entirely. As I look back now, I can see the destruction my complications have wrought, strewn behind me like body parts behind a zombie hunter.

Complications have been bogging down Project V for me, and for the first time since I started this project I have begun to lose interest. And worse, I began to brainstorm a really interesting new book! This is a death sentence for any story with me. (Luckily the new story died due to complications. See? It's a disease with me.)

So my solution? Streamlining. I have determined that I do not, in fact, need most of the little details I had planned on. I am going to cut them back until I have only the bare minimum of what is needed, and then run with it from there. If I decide the little details are needed in later drafts, then I have permission to put them in. But for now, simplicity is to my ally.

But that wasn't my only revelation this week. I have been working on Project V for a month or two now, and I have come to the conclusion that time is also a factor against me. When I do NaNoWriMo, I always finish. I believe this is because I am forced get the story out in a month. Sure, I still lose interest halfway through, but then I just tell myself it's only a few weeks more and to suck it up. I haven't lost NaNo yet.

So a short timeframe seems a must. Unfortunately, writing deadlines scare the hell out of me. But I am determined to say "I must finish Project V by November 1st." And I say it here so I shall be kept to it, or suffer the shame of admitting I couldn't pull it off. Because I totally can - I just put off my writing until "I feel like it." We all know the death trap that is.

And just like NaNo, I need a "destination." So given my current word count and story position, I am going to set the bar at 100,000 words. If the story isn't finished at that point I'll deal with it when I get there.

So to recap, Project V: Streamline. Deadline--November 1st. Word Count--100,000 words.

Keep your fingers crossed - mine should be busy writing. Feel free to poke me on Twitter to make sure I'm on track. It is my current vice.

You know, if I keep having revelations like this, my story may get written yet!