Book in Progress — Part Nine: When Plot Holes turn into Canyons

It’s time for another edition of Book in Progress! If you missed the last one I really recommend you go check it out, but I’ll give you the rundown. I started a new project (WIP “Spring”), and since have been struggling greatly.

I have been going through some tough burnout, in part because of all the plot holes. By the way, I share mini writing updates on my Instagram!

I’ve said it a thousand times by now, but I absolutely hate writing first drafts. I was so excited to start on this project that I really skipped over some very important details when outlining, thinking that when I started writing things would come to be and I’d be able to patch everything together.

I guess you learn from your mistakes.

I’m so close to the end. I predict that I have about five chapters left. I was hoping to have this draft finished before this post went live, but I can’t ignore the plot holes I’m creating. They just keep getting bigger.

I have two options. I can either go back and fix scenes and add in chapters in an effort to fix these plot holes, or I can finish the last five and save the plot holes for part two.

One of the biggest things to keep in mind is that camp nano is next month. I have a very big project that I’m going to need to prepare for. I can’t waste any more time on this. At the same time, I’m losing motivation for “Spring” because all I can see is the plot holes. I have a very busy week what with the podcast being released on Friday and a whole bunch of stuff going on in my personal life, I don’t think I’ll have much time for writing. I’ve also considered shelving the entire book until after camp nano. But I know that if it doesn’t get finished there is a less likely chance I’ll come back to it, which always makes you question is it worth it? Is it good enough?

This book in progress is ill-timed because I have no idea what I’m going to do.

The last writing update I did on Instagram, I said that I was struggling trying to figure out how to manage all of the POVs. I can’t remember the last time I wrote a book with this many points of view. I found myself doing a lot of head-hopping and it was really confusing and awful to read, but I have since then figured it out.

I feel like this episode of Book in Progress just goes to show you that no matter what mistakes will be made. Things are going to go wrong. Writing is never easy, I think we all know that one first hand.

What are some struggles you are facing in your writing?

Thanks a bunch!

— Nerd