I wrote on this topic last summer shortly after I finished my novel Fury From Hell. I thought I said it all in that piece. [You can find Part 1 here.] Apparently, I did not.
It seems that the journey of bringing novels into fruition and the journey (read: evolution) of the writer run parallel. [Occasionally, they may run perpendicular.]
Why do you say that? You may ask.
Simple. I am writing a timeslip story, a story that has moments in the past. For this term, I have to thank the ladies from the bi-weekly #HarlequinHistorical chat: @MichelleLStyles, @_CherylStJohn_, @NovelistaAnnie, @NicoleLockeNews, @FionaMMarsden, et al.
However, the timeslip happens in turbulent times in the 1920’s and in the 60’s. I am doing my research going to original source documents and the images are simply killing me. The emotional toll this takes is much more than I had imagined. It took me three years to think I was ready to write this book. I now see that I am not quite there yet. If I am, I need to add something else to my current writing projects queue. Something a bit more light-heartedly, free and fun. This way, it can balance the gravity of the timeslip story.
Well, at least, that is the story I am telling myself and my Muse! 🙂
I took some time last evening to think about this and have decided to write a romantic novel with action and excitement in it. The sexual tension will be palpable and I want to have characters whose personalities clash initially but meld beautifully as the story develops. This feels like a life-affirming thing to do now for myself as a writer!
This way, when I have to view images of death, pain, suffering and depression from a time not so long ago defiling people simply because they were born a certain color — I can have a balanced emotional perspective.
<sigh> One more step in my evolutionary journey as a writer.
Have you found yourself in such a quandary? Maybe with another topic/issue in writing where you needed to have space? Please! I would love if you’d share! So many times I feel as if I am writing into cyberspace ethers without hope of a reply (or comment…).
Ta-ta for now,
NB
The NoteBook Blogairy 
You’re not alone! I know exactly what you mean. With my current WIP (can I call it that if I only have a very rough outline/character sketch?) I feel overwhelmed with the depth of emotion I’ll need to bring myself to in order to do the story justice. It’s scary to let yourself really go there in sorrow, abuse and sadness. Especially since I’m finally in such a content place in my own life!
Also, I love your idea of balancing out the heavy by writing something light. That truly never crossed my mind, but it’s genius! I’ve never really worked on two projects at once, but hey, there’s a first time for everything. Thanks for putting that out there. 🙂
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Yes, Faith! It is your WIP! 🙂
I’ve never worked on two project simultaneously either but then, I don’t think I’ve ever worked on something like this that seems to pull out deep emotions that are hard to shove back down. So, hey — anything goes. I think I will work on the deep book on weekends and the lighter book during the week so that there will be no emotional fall-out when I have to go to work!
Hope all is well with you and yours.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
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The weekend/work schedule plan is a great one! I might try that too. 🙂
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