I could have written this myself, Elin! I have been working on a historical fiction novel since 2018 and I’m half done. I’ve tried so many times to get back into the swing of it but what once felt so inevitable now feels insurmountable. A new YA story popped into my head while writing my other novel and the pieces fell into place so quickly that I feel compelled to explore it and set my other novel aside. I think it takes so much courage to set aside a project that has taken up so much of our life but there’s so much we learn in the experience of sitting down to plot and research and write a novel that it’s never a waste.
Yes! I remember your novel project and maybe we both have that effect of having started it when we and life was very different. Maybe give the new idea a try, just to see what happens... :) And I wholeheartedly agree, writing a novel is such a fanastic learning experience, and simply fun too. So worth it, even if it doesn't get finished or published! 💛
Aug 28, 2023·edited Aug 28, 2023Liked by Elin Lööw
Isn't it interesting how ideas can either grow with you or only be a stepping stone to a new idea that will take you closer to where you'd want to be? I have a world with characters that appeared in my reality/imagination back in Late Spring 2015, but the book idea I had back then versus what I want now, is completely different. For a pretty long time, I kept referring to that world through the eyes of how it appeared in my life, but with how I evolved over the years, it just doesn't fit anymore. It took me a while to accept this and to know that it's okay to let go of the initial ideas and creations. And that when you allow newness back in again, nothing is lost, nothing is wasted; it's just different and a new path you get to walk & explore. ^_^
I'm excited for you, my lovely! There's honestly nothing better than to work on something whilst being in a state where all just flows and you are really eager to see how it will evolve. I think that's the most important thing when it comes to creating in general.
Yessss! So much wisdom in your words. It's so natural to grow away from old ideas, and so good to allow and embrace the new. I agree with everything. Thank you! 💛
I can relate to this for sure. I have multiple finished drafts of manuscripts that I have (momentarily) lost the passion for. I think it’s a good thing to change direction and try new things! I’m excited for you and your new to-be-written novel!
Thank you for sharing this! Having a similar experience with a project I felt so passionate about, which now feels like something I don't want to spend time on. This was exactly what I needed to hear <3
This is beautiful, Elin. There are so many times I've written something and then felt the life drain from it. I've always blamed myself and said I'm not consistent enough, but I love your take on the energy of the project leaving. I've never really thought of it that way. These are such good insights, thank you for sharing. And I look forward to the story you're writing now if you decide to share it!
Why do we always jump to blaming ourselves! I feel we so often are so hard on ourselves, especially when it comes to changing/ending things. Thank you 🤗
Love this ..it really resonates with me.. I’ve a new book sitting in my body and I can sense I’m almost afraid to get going in case I can’t retrieve it properly. But I need to remember my last book was born, it was built bit by bit...
Oh I loved reading this .. and finding you lovely. I wish I could remember now how I landed here haha but I do deeply resonate with the soul of a story, a book or any project for that matter, leaving for good. It can feel disheartening at first but I like to think of it as leaving to make way for something bigger, something more magical. I say bigger not as in more successful but a bigger, bolder energy making the process all that more fun again. Like you said you're loving your characters, daydreaming about what's next. That's the outpouring of something magical right there ✨
Ah it can such a frustrating process, haha 🙈 I'm thinking that when it still feels fun and meaningful and gives us something, it can be worth a bit of headache. But if the headache takes over and we lose passion... then maybe continuing just because we once started isn't so good. 🤷♀️
P.S. My summer was good! Hope yours was too. I read your announcement of stepping away from Substack, and felt a little sad that I won't read your words now, but also so proud that you're listening to your intuition and doing what's best for you. 💛
I could have written this myself, Elin! I have been working on a historical fiction novel since 2018 and I’m half done. I’ve tried so many times to get back into the swing of it but what once felt so inevitable now feels insurmountable. A new YA story popped into my head while writing my other novel and the pieces fell into place so quickly that I feel compelled to explore it and set my other novel aside. I think it takes so much courage to set aside a project that has taken up so much of our life but there’s so much we learn in the experience of sitting down to plot and research and write a novel that it’s never a waste.
Yes! I remember your novel project and maybe we both have that effect of having started it when we and life was very different. Maybe give the new idea a try, just to see what happens... :) And I wholeheartedly agree, writing a novel is such a fanastic learning experience, and simply fun too. So worth it, even if it doesn't get finished or published! 💛
Isn't it interesting how ideas can either grow with you or only be a stepping stone to a new idea that will take you closer to where you'd want to be? I have a world with characters that appeared in my reality/imagination back in Late Spring 2015, but the book idea I had back then versus what I want now, is completely different. For a pretty long time, I kept referring to that world through the eyes of how it appeared in my life, but with how I evolved over the years, it just doesn't fit anymore. It took me a while to accept this and to know that it's okay to let go of the initial ideas and creations. And that when you allow newness back in again, nothing is lost, nothing is wasted; it's just different and a new path you get to walk & explore. ^_^
I'm excited for you, my lovely! There's honestly nothing better than to work on something whilst being in a state where all just flows and you are really eager to see how it will evolve. I think that's the most important thing when it comes to creating in general.
Yessss! So much wisdom in your words. It's so natural to grow away from old ideas, and so good to allow and embrace the new. I agree with everything. Thank you! 💛
I can relate to this for sure. I have multiple finished drafts of manuscripts that I have (momentarily) lost the passion for. I think it’s a good thing to change direction and try new things! I’m excited for you and your new to-be-written novel!
Indeed, I agree! And thank you 😊
I have several unfinished novels in various states of undress. They're just resting until the time is right.
Thank you for sharing this! Having a similar experience with a project I felt so passionate about, which now feels like something I don't want to spend time on. This was exactly what I needed to hear <3
This is beautiful, Elin. There are so many times I've written something and then felt the life drain from it. I've always blamed myself and said I'm not consistent enough, but I love your take on the energy of the project leaving. I've never really thought of it that way. These are such good insights, thank you for sharing. And I look forward to the story you're writing now if you decide to share it!
Why do we always jump to blaming ourselves! I feel we so often are so hard on ourselves, especially when it comes to changing/ending things. Thank you 🤗
You're absolutely right! Working on being softer with myself but man it's hard to do!
Love this ..it really resonates with me.. I’ve a new book sitting in my body and I can sense I’m almost afraid to get going in case I can’t retrieve it properly. But I need to remember my last book was born, it was built bit by bit...
Oooh that sounds so exciting. Go explore that book inside of you. Trust the process! 🤗
Oh I loved reading this .. and finding you lovely. I wish I could remember now how I landed here haha but I do deeply resonate with the soul of a story, a book or any project for that matter, leaving for good. It can feel disheartening at first but I like to think of it as leaving to make way for something bigger, something more magical. I say bigger not as in more successful but a bigger, bolder energy making the process all that more fun again. Like you said you're loving your characters, daydreaming about what's next. That's the outpouring of something magical right there ✨
Ah it can such a frustrating process, haha 🙈 I'm thinking that when it still feels fun and meaningful and gives us something, it can be worth a bit of headache. But if the headache takes over and we lose passion... then maybe continuing just because we once started isn't so good. 🤷♀️
P.S. My summer was good! Hope yours was too. I read your announcement of stepping away from Substack, and felt a little sad that I won't read your words now, but also so proud that you're listening to your intuition and doing what's best for you. 💛
Ah yes, taking a proper break and seeing what comes from that space sounds really wonderful. 💕 Glad to have you here in the community none the less!
Lots of rain here in Sweden too haha... Oh well. Looking forward to autumn now! 🍂