"On Hold" Projects

"On Hold" Projects

A Lesson by TJ Graham
"

I call writing a project. Why? Depending on what it is, it takes time.

"

   I'm a very bad person. Horrible. Why? I'll tell you. It was a dark and rainy night....No, okay. It was April 29th, 2007. I had just finished, on paper, writing the second part of my Science Fiction trilogy "Black Haven" called "Revelation". Hasn't changed. Been almost 4 years. Hasn't changed. Not one bit. I had started writing the third, but it crashed and burned. I haven't given up, I just wanted to move on. I'll prove I haven't given up.
 
  In the 4 years that the trilogy has sat, collecting dust, it has gone through at least four different plot changes, everything from robots, to clones, to aliens. This is what you call a writing "On Hold". A project you HAVE NOT GIVEN UP on, but are still working out the kinks. Just like a restoration on a car. Sits in your garage, but you working on it bit by bit.
 
  Now, it's okay to stop working on a writing project and move on to something else. DO NOT LET ANYONE TELL YOU OTHERWISE. Maybe you can stop working on the "Big Project" and write a Short Story version of it.
Example: "Breaking Walls" is my "Big Project". I started that in October 2008, two years, people!
I have written a short based on that (It is actually a semi-epilogue) called "Walking".
You see? I said I was a very bad person. That's two good projects "On Hold"

Now, a way to 'cure' my laziness is to make a promise (sort of). Make a list of your current and future writings, and set a completion date for every single one.

Example:

Here's mine.

“Breaking Walls” needs to be finished by: January 2011.

“Black Haven” needs to be started on by: Fall 2011.

“Opposing Force” needs to be finished by: Summer 2012.


But DO NOT make yourself a promise that you can't keep.

As I, obviously, already have.


However, I have found that using this method could work, if you want to get something done. But I still find that taking your "Pain in The A*s" project and turning it into a short story and rebuilding it from there is the best method.


So, if any of what you have just read works for you, congratulations! You are on your way to finishing your most difficult work yet.


So, if you think it'll work for you. Let me know.


Good luck, and good writing.



 -TJ



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Comments

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Posted 2 Months Ago


I agree that outlining is a good method to use if you want to keep from running into "walls", however, you need to remember that when outlining you should still detail different events as much as possible, because like for myself the details can sometimes be the problem...

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Posted 3 Months Ago


To keep from hitting walls and stopping for long periods of time, I created a detailed outline of the direction the story would go before I ever started. I know my beginning middle and end. The details are all that needs to be filled in. It keeps me from coming to a grinding halt with my very first big writing project. I haven't given myself a deadline, because I read over and over and over and change things often. I'm not really sure how I will know when I think it is finished, but I know how it will end.

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Posted 2 Years Ago


Good advice.

I've kept a list of most of the stories I'm writing/intend to write, and it does help to keep myself motivated.

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Posted 2 Years Ago


Really good advice! Thank you!

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Posted 3 Years Ago


I too had the same problem. I had this story I really wanted to write ever since I watched the 1st Narnia in the movies - that was in 2006 or 2007, I think. Ever since then I only finished at least half of its 1st chapter, and I was planning on making it a 4-part/5-part book series, but I am still planning on finishing it.
Good advice btw...
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Author

TJ Graham
TJ Graham

Castle Rock, CO



About
According to "I Write Like", I have the literary talents similar to Margaret Mitchell, author of 'Gone With The Wind'. That's too bad, I was hoping It'd say Stephanie Meyer, because I'd be able to thr..
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