Well, I missed a blogging day, but for once, when I had nothing worth saying I didn’t say anything. I also didn’t get much house cleaning done. I did some laundry, repotted a few plants, worked on the sprinkler system in the yard, and organized some craft supplies. I also started reading a NY Times best-selling novel, but the subpar writing and editing makes me question whether I should continue.
What I’d hoped would happen during my writing break hasn’t. Not really. What did occur to me, at one point while my hands were covered in soil, is once again I’ve fallen into the trap of worrying about what others will think of the story in my next novel. Is that why I’m stalled?
I said at the beginning that I wanted to write this novel without any outside input, so I wouldn’t submit chapters to any critique group until they were all written, but it seems I’m critiquing it myself. I’m censoring before I’ve even written it. If only I could write without knowing what I’m writing. *sigh*
Speaking of writing, as I usually am, there’s some good writing on the new NBC series Awake. I’ve blogged before about some of my favorite well-written shows like Treme and Mad Men. This new one promises to be another. The premise of reality vs. dream intrigues me; in fact, I touched on it in a short story I wrote last summer.
Police detective Michael Britten, played by Jason Isaacs, has returned to work after an auto accident with his wife and teen-aged son. The problem is each day he wakes up in one of two “realities”. In one, his son died in the crash, Britten is in department-ordered therapy with a male psychiatrist, and he has a rookie partner at work. In the other, his wife has died, he has a female therapist, and his long-time partner at work.
A further confusion happens when clues from a case in one reality helps him solve his case in the other. Each therapist tells him he’s confusing dream and reality because he hasn’t coped with his loss. Britten doesn’t want their help because he doesn’t want to lose either of his “realities”.
I’m anxious to see how this plays out. When the end credits rolled on the first episode, I said, “Wow!” My husband said, “It was okay.” That’s typical for us. 🙂 Then again, he’s not a writer. If you’re not watching the show, but think it sounds interesting, you can watch full episodes online here: http://www.nbc.com/awake/
Awake promo photo ©NBC
Linda Cassidy Lewis 
Aw Linda, you’re a talented writer, do not despair, and do not OVERTHINK about what you are writing about. Just write, don’t think about it, don’t analyse it, that is for later. I know how you feel for I go through the same thing. I am still going through it now, and so I better follow my own advice 🙂
P.S I’m still enjoying Brevity by the way, it really is a wonderful novel.
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Overthinking, yeah I do that a lot, Alannah. 😦 Today is one of those days I’m dissatisfied with everything I write. Probably not a good day to be writing then, huh?
I’m glad you’re still enjoying Brevity. I need to find a book to enjoy.
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It’s so normal to be discombobulated about the second book – and even the third, and the fourth *laugh* — believe me, I know.
I haven’t seen AWAKE – I admit I was afraid to watch – because the child died in one of the scenarios and I just . . . was afraid to watch! Afraid of that kind of pain.
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Kat, discombobulated is a perfect way to describe my brain right now. 😉
About AWAKE, well in the first episode his son does–and doesn’t–die, so it’s sad/happy. I’m not quite sure what’s happened now.
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Yeah — the concept is intriguing. I may have to just watch it – still, that part about the son dying (in one of his “wakes”) I know will be . . . ungh.
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I’ll throw in my 2 $ here, Kat.
I too have a very hard time with kids dying — in fact I’ll avoid reading / watching all together. I didn’t know the premise of the show when I saw the first episode. They really skipped right over the son dying — probably for this very reason of not wanting to turn viewers away. They made it brief, and don’t linger on that scene at all, or give it too much emphasis. At least they haven’t yet.
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Thank you, Jennifer — this bothers me too — I can’t handle kids dying in books and movies very well.
Well, perhaps I can watch this and not be too upset!
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Ah, Linda, that’s what I do to movies, critique the writing and get so excited when something hits me hard. I love a good Wow.
p.s. Starting out on the novel writing slowly but with enthusiasm. Not a critique in site, since there isn’t an honest opening paragraph to speak of. 😉
Best to you!
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I can’t imagine that your novel won’t turn out beautiful, Victoria. 🙂 But I hear you on openings. I seem to have a hard time getting that right myself.
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