Rewriting, Self Doubts, and Insanity!

I’m on a vicious cycle right now, writing and rewriting my first couple of chapters, and I’m driving myself insane!

After getting my critiques back from the Genesis contest in the Spring, I went to work, perfecting and cleaning up my writing. Then I got busy writing the synopsis and proposal for the ACFW conference. When I finally returned to do edits I wanted to fall asleep at the words I had written. It was BORING! I had fallen into my old trap…editing the voice out of my work.

Several people/agents encouraged me to deepen the characterization and add more chutzpah to my character. So I dove in and “voiced” all over the pages. I “voiced” so much I think my writing got hoarse and now when I look at it what once was witty seems like purple “pukish” prose.

But all hope is not lost. After sending it to a few critique partners and having them confirm I had over written it, I went to work and toned it down. Now I think I’m on the write track.

There are so many days lately I think I must be insane to spend so much mental time and energy on writing. There are so many days I think it’s too hard to do this writing thing, and it’d be easier just to get a normal hobby and quit.

But I can’t.

I’m driven to write. Everywhere I go story ideas invade my mind (like church yesterday) and won’t leave me alone.

So am I insane? Probably. Is it hard? Most definitely.

Am I alone is this crazy journey?

If you’re reading this than you already know the answer!

So why do you keep writing?