In a longish life as a professional writer, I have heard a thousand masterpieces talked out over bars, restaurant tables and love seats. I have never seen one of them in print. Books must be written, not talked. Morris L. West
Writing tip
Many professional writers firmly believe that you should keep your work in process (WIP) to yourself. You won’t hear a word about their manuscript until it’s been published. Even at the best writing conferences, you will find aspiring writers who want to tell you all about their book.
Once the story or creative writing concept is out in the universe, I have found that the writer no longer feels the burning desire to write the book. It’s hard when friends want to hear about your work, or you rehash it in critique groups, but in the end, I think you know what needs work and what is ready for publication if you are being honest with yourself.
Today, think about the stories you never finished because you talked it all out. Is
there any part of the story that could be resurrected? Could you use the ideas in another form? a short story instead of a novel. Now get back to work!
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
That is just about where I am. I am approx 26,000 words into a novel. I have enjoyed it thus far and now it seems to have stopped. On the other hand, I seem to have talked to a lot of people about it and the 'art of writing'.