B is for Backlog because I’m wondering if you have a backlog of stories, poems, and novels that you’ve given up on. Are they hidden in a drawer or file cabinet, unfinished?
I have many. I think of them often and vow I’ll get back to them. Chances are I won’t because I get fresh ideas that I do start and finish.
I have so many rough drafts, it’s almost ridiculous: first drafts, fifth drafts. One manuscript has been taken apart so many times, chunks are missing. The reason these books are still drafts is because I didn’t plan. I plunged head first into NANOWRMO or some other exciting “Write Fast” activity and I neglected to give sufficient thought to my characters, their GMC or my beloved 3-Act structure.
Yes, I know there are successful seat of the pants writers out there. I’m not one of them, unless you count eleven rough drafts a success. I definitely know how to finish a book–it’s the grunt work of a SOTP manuscript that I don’t particularly enjoy–the rewriting of a book that’s got too many holes.
And that’s where planning comes in. The more you plan, the easier the rewrite.
The late Stephen Cannell planned extensively. He stated that sometimes he wrote 60 page treatments of his novels, then he’d never look at those pages again. He knew his characters and story so well, he didn’t have to refer to his treatment.
I especially like his outlook on unfinished manuscripts.
Cannell said, “You get nothing from an unfinished project, and you learn nothing.” At some point he made a deal with himself that he would never abandon another project; he’d write to the end. That’s when he started on his road to success.
So what are we going to do about our backlog of poems, stories and novels? Any ideas?
Oh my gosh, I have no idea. What I try to do is make a list of those stories I feel like show the most promise and that’s what I will work on. I try to vary it too. This month is a CampNaNoWriMo and I’m SO tempted to start (yet another) new novel even though I have no idea what it’s about just because – yay new novel. Because it’s legal to cheat I may however do that for a novel I’m working on which does need a lot of new copy written for it. I’ve found that it often helps to treat this like a race (edit so much or write so much copy.) The trick though is definitely organization. Every day/week/month/year, have a thought-out plan for what I’m going to work on. Especially the day before: tomorrow I will do such and such. One day at a time and all that. Now you have me thinking! Good luck with the A-Z challenge, hopefully it will help get those ducks in a row!
Anne, I did CampNaNoWriMo last year and finished a novella. It’s one I’m hoping to get back to very soon because it’s part of a series. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with treating our writing like a race, but it doesn’t take ME long to form a bad habit so I need to be careful. Otherwise, I’ll be racing through my books and my BACKLOG will be growing. 😉 Thanks for commenting and best with A to Z.
Hm. I’m not sure I agree with Mr. Cannell. I’ve learned from unfinished drafts. Otherwise, I’d know very little!
I do agree with what you’re saying here, though. I’m at a place in my journey where I need to be a FINISHER, not just a STARTER. I can’t afford to spend months on something that isn’t going anywhere. And there are definitely things you learn by FINISHING that you won’t learn otherwise. (And FINISHING just feels amazing, doesn’t it?)
Cannell’s website is fantastic. Lots of writing info and videos. Check it out. And yes! Finishing is fantastic. We need to do it more often. 😄
Wait, there’s two Jessica Fergusons? And yes, right, Jess. You should see my backlog! I know there’s a lot of wasted time in there. But maybe it’s not wasted. I agree with the other Jess. Surely I learned from those left-behind projects. Good practice. Honing the craft and all that.
Hi Angie! Two Jessica Ferguson’s would be way too many! Hope to see you at BWG today. Linda’s book is out and Lena has a contract too–though hers might still be a secret. 🙂
What I meant by two Jessica Fergusons was that someone else by that same name commented here on your blog. No, won’t be at BWG. In Dallas visiting Eric!
I should also say: thank you, thank you, thank you! Your unrest over my backlog spurred me to finish my Kirby Mayhew novel. Otherwise, he’d still be “in the drawer.” Success!
🙂 Thanks, Heather. Nothing should live in a drawer … forever! Especially NOT Kirby!
Yes I totally agree, I’m always working over complications to unfinished projects in the back of my mind and all of a sudden I’ll get the urge to revisit something, sometimes after many years. Nothing unfinished is ever abandoned it’s just resting or breathing….
I like that thought, Jessica. My projects are breathing. 🙂 Yes, I have a lot of things floating around in the back of my mind too.
I mostly have a backlog of fiction projects because I am very obsessive about research, and I keep researching them into oblivion instead of writing… I need to put my foot down at some point and say no more research on this one 🙂
@TarkabarkaHolgy from
The Multicolored Diary
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Tarkabarka, you could probably teach a wonderful course on researching. Yes, we can let it take over, but I see it as an advantage in your case. You probably get a lot of article ideas, blog posts, book ideas from researching one topic. Make it work for you! And if you’re interested in teaching a course someday on The Importance of Research, try Udemy!
I don’t really have a backlog. Why? Simple. I started writing late in life.
Could this lack of unfinished pieces be more of an advantage or disadvantage for me? I’m wondering…
HaHaHa, Michelle. I can’t help but laugh at your wonderful question/observation. Your lack of unfinished pieces can be anything you make it. I see it as a wonderful advantage. It looks like you finish what you start and find it a home! 🙂
Terrific tips. Yes, I have a backlog of stories and need to take the time to look through them to see if I have anything useful in reviving.
Write What Inspires You Blog
I’m sure there’s something worth reviving. When we read with fresh eyes after a good period of time, we spot all kinds of things that need fixing, fleshing out or see an entirely different way of shaping the story. Good luck! And thanks for visiting me. 🙂
I’m a slow writer, so I just have a backlog of ideas that haven’t touched paper yet. I never imagined such a thing when I started writing a year and a half ago. Where in the world did all these ideas come from when I never had the urge to write fiction previously?
I’m definitely a planner, but so far I just jot down the initial idea in my idea place then let it brew in my head for a bit, surfacing every once in a while, until it starts to take a vague form and I feel ready to begin writing. Of course this month I’m mostly winging it and just trying to write a story a day.
Hi Alex! At this point you’re doing exactly what works for you! And I’m a pretty slow writer too… Or maybe I should say… Slow thinker. 🤔
I do have a backlog of poems. I often write them and don’t even think until much later about possible submissions. I do also have a lot of unfinished drafts of stories. I do sometimes get back to one of those.
Hi Charles, Researching markets and submitting takes so much time. I used to be better at it. These days I focus on two or three specific markets for my short things. Finally gave up trying to write poetry. 🙂