Changing Directions
Clueless Hack on Writing: How do adjust when something isn't working
When do you realize something isn’t working? What is the line between scrapping a project and moving on and pushing forward toward the end?
Recently, I was faced with this dilemma. Back in 2019, I had just finished my first draft of Friends in Low Places and I was thinking through follow up novels to write. I had a great idea. I brainstormed on a train and came up with some direction and decided to move forward with a first draft.
Cue the pandemic and I begin to write the story in earnest, funneling all of my extra time into producing a first draft. I stalled. I had a great first act but had no idea what to do for the second and third acts. I became frustrated. I put it to the side to focus on bringing Friends in Low Places to print.
In 2021, Friends in Low Places was released, and it was time to start a new project. I decided on writing Lose Yourself (out next Spring) even though this other project was still kicking around in my head. But I still wasn’t ready to revisit that project.
Earlier this year, with Lose Yourself moving through its process, I picked up that old manuscript again. This time, instead of free-writing, I made an entire outline, creating direction, story and character arcs, themes, etc.
The first act was pretty good. The second act was a little more struggle. By the time I reached the end of the second act and was eighty percent complete, I looked back at my product, and I threw up my hands. It was formulaic and not authentic in my mind. It didn’t work. I was faced with finishing out what I started or taking an entirely new take on the situation.
At the same time, I was also listening to a celebrity memoir. I listened to the stories, the humor, the ups and downs of this musician’s life in an entertaining way. There was something about the structure that was very appealing. This was the inspiration I was looking for. Perhaps, I could create my own fictional memoir of this character I’ve wanted to explore for three years. Will this be the idea that pulls me through?
I am hesitant. After all, it means reframing everything and scrapping a lot of what I’ve written, which took a lot of work and time. Perhaps, I could “finish” the final twenty percent, type “The End” and then completely rewrite it. Then I could be able to say I finished a draft. But the question comes back to “Is this in service of the story and the character?” I had a realization that it was more of a waste to continue on with twenty percent about which I wasn’t passionate, rather than going back and incorporating this new vision.
For now, I am excited for this new direction. Memoir is a style all its own and to create a fictional memoir opens up several possibilities. Stay tuned.
How about you? Has there been a project you’ve scrapped in the late stages as you understood a new way of looking at it?
Side of Mustard…
Recommendation: There are some great documentaries on Disney+. I just finished watching a six-episode docuseries on Industrial Light and Magic. It covers the entire lifespan of this visual effects company from its start as the effects shop for Star Wars to its full-circle evolvement with the “volume” in The Mandalorian. The early episodes talk about practical visual effects from camera rigs and models to creature design and stop motion. About halfway through, they introduce the early iterations of computer graphics and further development in The Abyss, Terminator 2 and then the big jump in Jurassic Park. There is a moment when the viewer realizes there is a nexus point when practical effects and computer graphics meet and the moment when CG took over. (Big Hint: Spielberg sees computer dinosaurs). If you’re interested in movie magic, it’s a must-see.
Welcome Back Wrexham: Last year, Welcome to Wrexham was one of those discovery shows that I stumbled across on Hulu the first week it aired and never left. Following the plucky National League Wrexham AFC in North Wales, and their equally interesting owners Deadpool and the It’s Always Sunny… guy, this docu-series is equal parts small-town folk doc, sports doc, and weird celebrity reality show. I think they do the right thing mixing all three elements in equal parts. Too much of one might get repetitive, but the edits give each segment a fresh quality each week.
Next month Lose Yourself goes in for some close-to-final edits. The cover reveal, the synopsis, and more release information will soon follow. Stay tuned.
It's so hard to scrap ideas. I always feel like I'm at the rodeo holding onto the bull. But it's good to know when you need to drop something to find the best thing. :)
Looking forward to future conversations, Vince!
I appreciate your transparency with your writing process, and your vulnerability in admitting that you have to scrap things sometimes in order to get the result you ultimately want (or, at least, know is possible). What a process!