The dreadful middle

[Deleted member 68927]

So, the thing is, that I have been spamming my readers with 5 stories per day, for which I deserve to be hit over the head with a bunny slipper. I noticed, a little bit before I started my new project, that some of my handful of readers can only read so much, and they alternate the stories on different days. The solution? I figured I could just finish my current project before posting it, which should allow me to exhaust my stockpile of chapters.

In theory, it is a great solution. But there is this one small thing:

I reached the dreadful middle of what might be a novella, and I can't get the dopamine spike that comes with the views and kudos. (Which are small, but cherished.)

So, what are your strategies when you reach the dreadful middle, and you have pledged not to post before completion?

 

[Shrimp_eater]

Alcohol

 

[Deleted member 68927]

Alcohol

I don't drink and can't even eat sweet things anymore. But thank you for the input.

 

[Deleted member 54065]

So, the thing is, that I have been spamming my readers with 5 stories per day, for which I deserve to be hit over the head with a bunny slipper. I noticed, a little bit before I started my new project, that some of my handful of readers can only read so much, and they alternate the stories on different days. The solution? I figured I could just finish my current project before posting it, which should allow me to exhaust my stockpile of chapters.

In theory, it is a great solution. But there is this one small thing:

I reached the dreadful middle of what might be a novella, and I can't get the dopamine spike that comes with the views and kudos. (Which are small, but cherished.)

So, what are your strategies when you reach the dreadful middle, and you have pledged not to post before completion?

I just focus on one story, and release chapters by volume, which I finish first (including the edits) before releasing.

 

[Deleted member 68927]

I just focus on one story, and release chapters by volume, which I finish first (including the edits) before releasing.

I do that too, but how do you keep your dopamine high, so you can write when you want to, and not when you feel like it?

 

[Deleted member 54065]

I do that too, but how do you keep your dopamine high, so you can write when you want to, and not when you feel like it?

Not really about dopamine, but discipline. When I'm in my writing mode (which is scheduled), I force myself till my head gets into the mood.

But until then, I don't delete whatever I wrote before getting into the mood. This is because I find those good (though some needed edits) already for my manuscript (once I got back to it).

Just like now. I'm in no mood to write, but I forced about 3k words out of myself today. And I'm typing those, then stop writing during the weekdays (coz of work commitments).

 

[Deleted member 68927]

Not really about dopamine, but discipline. When I'm in my writing mode (which is scheduled), I force myself till my head gets into the mood.

But until then, I don't delete whatever I wrote before getting into the mood. This is because I find those good (though some needed edits) already for my manuscript (once I got back to it).

Just like now. I'm in no mood to write, but I forced about 3k words out of myself today. And I'm typing those, then stop writing during the weekdays (coz of work commitments).

How many words per day do you think is a healthy amount, and won't lead to a burnout? (No, I am not there yet, but I am heading right back there in a burning train.)

 

[Shrimp_eater]

I don't drink and can't even eat sweet things anymore. But thank you for the input.

You can alternatively estabilish an internal schedule of "release", where you won't be putting the chapter out but will be pretending you have to by X date. I find deadlines to be great motivators.

Or you can start drinking.

 

[LilRora]

I can offer whacking with a cat slipper.

For discipline.

 

[Deleted member 54065]

How many words per day do you think is a healthy amount, and won't lead to a burnout? (No, I am not there yet, but I am heading right back there in a burning train.)

I don't really write per day; I write by bursts. Let's say, I'm writing this January. By February, I'm doing another stuff again...which may last up till March, or shorter in three weeks of February. And when I do write, it depends on my mood. It can range from less than 500 words (when I'm in no mood), and as high as 15k words in one sitting if my 'write mode' is switched on.

 

[Deleted member 68927]

I can offer whacking with a cat slipper.

For discipline.

Is it a fluffy cat slipper?

 

[Deleted member 54065]

Take note: I rarely get reviews and feedback, so if I'll look for readers' feedback for motivation, I should've long stopped writing. What keeps me going is my determination to finish something, and that includes all the stories I started.

 

[Deleted member 68927]

Take note: I rarely get reviews and feedback, so if I'll look for readers' feedback for motivation, I should've long stopped writing. What keeps me going is my determination to finish something, and that includes all the stories I started.

I just want to share it. I am burning with the desire to put out those 7 chapters I have for it, so I can feel the urge to churn out more. It's hard to explain, but I feel as if I am a balloon which wants to explode. I can't relax, I can't rest, but I can't bring myself to start writing for the second time today. Nothing is enough, and I don't understand why.

 

[Deleted member 54065]

I just want to share it. I am burning with the desire to put out those 7 chapters I have for it, so I can feel the urge to churn out more. It's hard to explain, but I feel as if I am a balloon which wants to explode. I can't relax, I can't rest, but I can't bring myself to start writing for the second time today. Nothing is enough, and I don't understand why.

But you also have to consider your readers. While it is nice to have updates occasionally, not everyone is keen to read what you wrote as soon as you finish it. Think of it like when you're having burnout after a long writing session, or me, after being swamped by drawing requests. We love what we do, but there are time we have to take a break from those for a 'breath of fresh air'.

Yes, we do get that feeling...the urge to churn out works time after time. However, quantity must also be balanced with quality, and your condition as well. It's not everytime you're in shape to write. A good author also knows how to balance her time with 'hobby' and 'rest'. What use is a huge amount of words written, if the writer would burn out and would end up unable to continue.

Likewise, there are readers who might end up burned out, and dropping a work altogether because of huge chapters to update themselves in such a short amount of time.

Well, before anyone else make an essay of what I said, this is just my observation and experience. There's no science and research behind it, so take it with a grain of salt.

 

[Deleted member 68927]

3 for, 3 against...
Tails, I will spam the first 6 chapters, Heads, I will not spam.

Spam is in the wind, oh yay, and it is no fish!

If I were a songwriter, I would have starved to death.

 

[RepresentingWrath]

My strategy is to not write like you, and not have your mindset. Actually, at the moment, I don't write at all, but I will continue writing soon(month or less).

 

[LilRora]

Is it a fluffy cat slipper?

Yep it is, it's black, fluffy, and with ears.