Karen, this is the BEST message, thank you! It is the greatest possible compliment that my writing helped you believe in Love again. (I also noted how you capitalized Love, what a perfect way to think of it.)
This is so true in business as well. There is always the matter of sunk costs, and feeling that you cannot quit because so much has been invested already. Perhaps you have investors who have come on the journey with you too and you feel you cannot quit on them, or employees. Its a big lesson to start small and to keep it small until you decide whether to get others on board as well i think. Thanks for sharing. Ive ordered that book. X
Ahhh, yes, sunk cost! You know, I use that term when I'm thinking about something purely economic, but I usually forget that it also applies to time and effort. Thanks for this reminder, Bonnie. And I hope you find Annie Duke's book insightful!
Perfect timing, Evelyn. I've invested 3+ years in a graphic novel, "Meet Your Monkeys," that's having an identity crisis. It wants to grow up to be a short film. Or get a total overhaul with a completely new MC and structure, which leaves me cold. This week, I met a Crypto Dude who loves helping creators make NFTs. He says my Monkeys will rule in that sphere.
Your piece gives me confidence to trust that it's ok to leave it behind as is.
PS: In Big Magic, Liz Gilbert was years into a novel that wasn't working when she learned Ann Patchett was writing a super similar novel. She arrived at her theory of the Muse of the Universe seeding ideas with multiple creators. Not all are meant to take it to the finish line. https://archive.org/details/bigmagiccreative0000gilb_y3g0/page/50/mode/2up
oh my gosh! I just made the list for our Book Club picks for the rest of the year (to be revealed soon), and Big Magic is on it! Talk about seeding ideas in multiple creators! :)
Also, I'm glad this post gave you what you needed to leave those Monkeys behind as they are. They'll still be there, cheering you on, no matter what you do next!!
Another Fab Synchronicity! I call this phenomenon a Substack-inicity...
PS: I loved seeing your color-coded teensy sticky notes on "The Every." Perhaps next club you can lift the kilt on your reading process! We learn so much about craft by tracking how the author plants seeds, right? Layering them in drafts.
Knowing when to quit is very valuable. Sometimes you have to save things until you have the experiences or opportunities to make them work, rather than sludging through the mud with pure grit, gaining inches.
Well said, Azark. I think that's a great insight--sometimes the idea can't reach its full potential until you, yourself, have lived more and can bring those experiences. I love this.
Just the other day, I found a couple of file boxes with aborted novels and other fragments from way back in the 70s and early 80s--in other words, my high school, college, and early teaching years. (There's also a complete novel and an aborted sequel.)
I didn't so much quit any of those as get eaten by my teaching career. But the fact that there are so many reminded me that I did abandon some projects before I (temporarily) abandoned writing.
It wasn't so much the projects. I'm actually thinking about resurrecting at least the ideas from some of them.
It was me.
I just wasn't quite ready then for the sustained concentration needed to create a novel. (And I didn't have a place like Substack to bring short works into the world--I submitted to the few print magazines I could but never found any takers.)
It's one thing to have the idea for a novel. It's quite another to have the focus to realize that vision.
This is such a kindness you’ve given yourself. Instead of beating yourself up for not finishing, you kindly recognized that you just weren’t ready to write a novel, and that there might be a different time for that.
I love this phrase “eaten by my teaching career.” You certainly have a vivid way with words.
Tom and I were just talking yesterday about how it’s easy to go from 0 to 1 (the exciting idea phase for a book), but then getting from 1 to 5 (actually hunkering down and making the writing better and better, through many iterations of learning craft and becoming a better writer) is the hard part.
So what you’re saying here makes a lot of sense. Busy Teacher Bill could get from 0 to 1 (or maybe 2?) but didn’t have the time or mental space for taking the manuscripts farther. But maybe now you do. Or maybe later. The stories are always there, and it’s also wonderful that you can put out shorter work on Substack!
I was JUST contemplating this yesterday as I sat staring at all these words I've written for my memoir and feeling like a stranger to myself. I'm at a crossroads, the story I was originally wanting to tell no longer feels right. I can feel myself wanting to pivot, which means it might be time to let that original idea go. Typing that made me sigh. My brain automatically wants to argue that I've spent so much time and so many words, I can't give up. My body says differently though and I'm going to lean into that. Thanks for this permission slip today Evelyn <3
I'm really glad this was helpful to you today, Mesa. It's always such a difficult decision. But I think that knowing the book/idea is always there if you want to come back makes it a little easier. I'm be rooting for you as you lean in to what you're gut is telling you!
I recently gave a similar prompt to one of my writing groups: "When quitting is a good decision." And, boy did I get some great responses! I am going to share this post with them when we meet again. (And now all I can hear in my head is Ted Lasso singing Kenny Rogers' The Gambler :)
It's really no different than relationships; sometimes the very best thing you can do for yourself is fold.
Very true, Kristin. I've been there!
Just wanted to tell you how much I loved "A Hundred Loves of Juliet" -- I just finished it this morning -so moving and inspiring...
I can't wait to read your next book! Thank you for helping me believe in Love again..xox
Karen, this is the BEST message, thank you! It is the greatest possible compliment that my writing helped you believe in Love again. (I also noted how you capitalized Love, what a perfect way to think of it.)
Wishing you the happiest of Sundays!
Thank you, Evelyn xox
This is so true in business as well. There is always the matter of sunk costs, and feeling that you cannot quit because so much has been invested already. Perhaps you have investors who have come on the journey with you too and you feel you cannot quit on them, or employees. Its a big lesson to start small and to keep it small until you decide whether to get others on board as well i think. Thanks for sharing. Ive ordered that book. X
Ahhh, yes, sunk cost! You know, I use that term when I'm thinking about something purely economic, but I usually forget that it also applies to time and effort. Thanks for this reminder, Bonnie. And I hope you find Annie Duke's book insightful!
QUIT THAT PROJECT, or stick with it?
Perfect timing, Evelyn. I've invested 3+ years in a graphic novel, "Meet Your Monkeys," that's having an identity crisis. It wants to grow up to be a short film. Or get a total overhaul with a completely new MC and structure, which leaves me cold. This week, I met a Crypto Dude who loves helping creators make NFTs. He says my Monkeys will rule in that sphere.
Your piece gives me confidence to trust that it's ok to leave it behind as is.
PS: In Big Magic, Liz Gilbert was years into a novel that wasn't working when she learned Ann Patchett was writing a super similar novel. She arrived at her theory of the Muse of the Universe seeding ideas with multiple creators. Not all are meant to take it to the finish line. https://archive.org/details/bigmagiccreative0000gilb_y3g0/page/50/mode/2up
oh my gosh! I just made the list for our Book Club picks for the rest of the year (to be revealed soon), and Big Magic is on it! Talk about seeding ideas in multiple creators! :)
Also, I'm glad this post gave you what you needed to leave those Monkeys behind as they are. They'll still be there, cheering you on, no matter what you do next!!
Another Fab Synchronicity! I call this phenomenon a Substack-inicity...
PS: I loved seeing your color-coded teensy sticky notes on "The Every." Perhaps next club you can lift the kilt on your reading process! We learn so much about craft by tracking how the author plants seeds, right? Layering them in drafts.
oooh yes! I'll put that on my list of things to discuss. Thank you for the idea!
Thank you for this insightful piece :)
Knowing when to quit is very valuable. Sometimes you have to save things until you have the experiences or opportunities to make them work, rather than sludging through the mud with pure grit, gaining inches.
Well said, Azark. I think that's a great insight--sometimes the idea can't reach its full potential until you, yourself, have lived more and can bring those experiences. I love this.
Is the new book YA? Or adult?
One Year Ago in Spain is adult!
Sweet! Hard to tell with covers these days, so I always have to ask as I don’t enjoy YA.
Don't even get me started with covers hahaha. I mean, I love them, but yeah, it's confusing!!
Just the other day, I found a couple of file boxes with aborted novels and other fragments from way back in the 70s and early 80s--in other words, my high school, college, and early teaching years. (There's also a complete novel and an aborted sequel.)
I didn't so much quit any of those as get eaten by my teaching career. But the fact that there are so many reminded me that I did abandon some projects before I (temporarily) abandoned writing.
It wasn't so much the projects. I'm actually thinking about resurrecting at least the ideas from some of them.
It was me.
I just wasn't quite ready then for the sustained concentration needed to create a novel. (And I didn't have a place like Substack to bring short works into the world--I submitted to the few print magazines I could but never found any takers.)
It's one thing to have the idea for a novel. It's quite another to have the focus to realize that vision.
This is such a kindness you’ve given yourself. Instead of beating yourself up for not finishing, you kindly recognized that you just weren’t ready to write a novel, and that there might be a different time for that.
I love this phrase “eaten by my teaching career.” You certainly have a vivid way with words.
Tom and I were just talking yesterday about how it’s easy to go from 0 to 1 (the exciting idea phase for a book), but then getting from 1 to 5 (actually hunkering down and making the writing better and better, through many iterations of learning craft and becoming a better writer) is the hard part.
So what you’re saying here makes a lot of sense. Busy Teacher Bill could get from 0 to 1 (or maybe 2?) but didn’t have the time or mental space for taking the manuscripts farther. But maybe now you do. Or maybe later. The stories are always there, and it’s also wonderful that you can put out shorter work on Substack!
I was JUST contemplating this yesterday as I sat staring at all these words I've written for my memoir and feeling like a stranger to myself. I'm at a crossroads, the story I was originally wanting to tell no longer feels right. I can feel myself wanting to pivot, which means it might be time to let that original idea go. Typing that made me sigh. My brain automatically wants to argue that I've spent so much time and so many words, I can't give up. My body says differently though and I'm going to lean into that. Thanks for this permission slip today Evelyn <3
I'm really glad this was helpful to you today, Mesa. It's always such a difficult decision. But I think that knowing the book/idea is always there if you want to come back makes it a little easier. I'm be rooting for you as you lean in to what you're gut is telling you!
Thank you!! :) :)
One Year Ago in Spain sounds like an inspired novel! Looking forward to it!
thank you so much, Jeanine!
Yes, I love the premise. Reminds me of the trippy Robin William's film, "What Dreams May Come."
I don't know this movie!
Afterlife, Souls, it’s in your wheelhouse. And mine :))
Thanks for recommending Annie Duke’s book, I'm listening to it now!
Kristin, you are always SO on top of things like this! :)
And you ALWAYS have such good ideas & recommendations, Evelyn!
I’ve quit before, or at least set some things aside. Sometimes I’ve been able to go back (like years later) and make something out of some of them.
YES! Sometimes it's not the right time, but later is. Love this, Barb.
I recently gave a similar prompt to one of my writing groups: "When quitting is a good decision." And, boy did I get some great responses! I am going to share this post with them when we meet again. (And now all I can hear in my head is Ted Lasso singing Kenny Rogers' The Gambler :)
Ooooh, can you share some of their responses/ideas about quitting? I'm really curious and I bet others here are, too.
Also, hooray for another Ted Lasso fan!!
I'll ask them!