I’m about 20,000 words (20k) in on a novel and am a little bored with it. Maybe it’s not boredom. Maybe the problem is I’m excited about another novel series I want to start.

Committed vs Being Committed

The result is that I’ve stalled in working on my novel. I make up excuses not to write, at least on my 20k project. It’s not that it’s a bad novel. The idea is still solid. I’m just not feeling passionate about it right now—but I’ve written 20,000 words and feel beholden to it! Ugh!

Alexas_Fotos / Pixabay

Consulting My Keeper

With all this pressing on my shoulders and conscience, I did what any sane man would do…I consulted with my wife!

We talked it out. We went through the pros and cons of continuing and abandoning my 20k. The bottom line came down to her saying, “You don’t have a deadline for it (20k). It’s not like you have to get it into a publisher. You can always go back to it.”

She’s the smarter one, as normally is the case in a good marriage.

Her response was like a breath of fresh air. It was a little shot of permission to work on what I’m feeling passionate about. Freedom!

jplenio / Pixabay

The Next Step

To the keyboard!

  • Backed up my 20k Scrivener file to Dropbox.
  • Setup new Scrivener doc for my series.
  • Wrote one sentence explanation of new novel.
  • Wrote a 500-word opening scene.

And BOOM!

Not me, or is it?!? mohamed_hassan / Pixabay

I feel better. Do you? I knew you would. You can thank me later and I’ll pass it on to her.

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