I finished the first draft of Cowboy Bliss a few days ago, effectively bringing to an end the blue funk I've been in since late July. I had put the book on hold throughout June while I
wrote guest blogs for the release of Rebel on July 1st, and then embarked upon the blog tour and the
madness of the RWA national conference in July. I had so looked forward to Rebel's release and the chance to visit San Antonio. Unfortunately, the letdown in the
wake of those events was mind-numbing, mainly because the final chapters of Cowboy Bliss had me stumped.
Writer's block is an insidious, beastly disease that affects all aspects of your life because the problems a book poses are never far from your thoughts whether you're out mowing the lawn or shopping for groceries. That preoccupation puts a damper on your spirits, dragging you down into a pervasive fit of the dismals that only the book can cure, which is peculiar because the book is also the cause.
My dilemma in this story was the true identity of the villain and his motive for murder. Talks with my husband gave me some ideas, but ultimately, there was a moment of epiphany--two of them, actually--that made the words begin to flow again.
But of course, that isn't really the end of the story, which is why I never write "THE END" on the final page of a manuscript. A book is never truly finished, only abandoned. There will be many more edits and read-throughs before it finally goes to print sometime next fall.
To help stave off the dismals as the weather turns colder, I'm giving away a prize package of goodies from the RWA national conference. Post a comment or use the Rafflecopter for your chance to win! Earn extra points by signing up for my mailing list!
Writer's block is an insidious, beastly disease that affects all aspects of your life because the problems a book poses are never far from your thoughts whether you're out mowing the lawn or shopping for groceries. That preoccupation puts a damper on your spirits, dragging you down into a pervasive fit of the dismals that only the book can cure, which is peculiar because the book is also the cause.
My dilemma in this story was the true identity of the villain and his motive for murder. Talks with my husband gave me some ideas, but ultimately, there was a moment of epiphany--two of them, actually--that made the words begin to flow again.
But of course, that isn't really the end of the story, which is why I never write "THE END" on the final page of a manuscript. A book is never truly finished, only abandoned. There will be many more edits and read-throughs before it finally goes to print sometime next fall.
Meanwhile, I've already gone back to work on the romantic suspense novel I was 50,000 words into when I dropped it last November to write the cowboy series. I read through it yesterday, and was pleased to discover that it needed only a few minor tweaks. With that one reading, I'm right back there where I left those characters--in a terraced house in West London, which is a far cry from a cattle ranch in Wyoming.
Now all I have to do is figure out how this one ends. 
To help stave off the dismals as the weather turns colder, I'm giving away a prize package of goodies from the RWA national conference. Post a comment or use the Rafflecopter for your chance to win! Earn extra points by signing up for my mailing list!
So glad you got your groove back, Cheryl. It is hard to get back into a story after having to take breaks like that.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you got through it, Cheryl.
ReplyDeleteThat's fabulous that you got the inspiration to make such great progress on not one, but two books, Cheryl! I don't write, but do find that reading a good book will sometimes help me shake a funk ;) That and some good head-clearing walks! Write on!
ReplyDeleteThanks, ladies! I usually pull myself out of the dumps eventually, but this time, none of the usual fixes worked. Maybe I was waiting for the change of season...
ReplyDeleteSounds like some good reading ahead for us :)
ReplyDeleteThe grandkids are great at raising my spirits...so's chocolate...and reading. Congrats on finishing the draft.
ReplyDeleteboring books; chocolate
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for the new books!
ReplyDeleteYes, muse is back and more books for us.
ReplyDeleteLove me some cowboys! Giddy Up!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on finishing the book. Can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteHi, Cheryl! Housework building up puts me in blue funk, but some upbeat song tunes usually help me get through it!
ReplyDeleteGlad you finished Cheryl!
ReplyDeleteGood to have you back! Answer to giveaway question: Boredom puts me in a funk. Reading something humorous gets me out of it.
ReplyDeleteOver work or lack of exercise will put me in a funk. A trip to the beach or any other body of water usually will perk me right up!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you found your way out of the funk and into the Bliss. I'm looking forward to more of your books. A sexy cowboy is always good. And if he looks like Adam Levine. You've got it made.
ReplyDeleteBeing overwhelmed by life and too many things to get done puts me in a funk...or full fledged depression. I'm still there and I'm trying to get out of it reminding myself to go one step at a time and make small goals to start with. I'll get there eventually as I've been here before. I'm going to read these comments and see if they help. I over extended and burned out. Now I just have to get up and DO!
ReplyDeleteI hear you on overextending yourself. It seems okay at first, but it slowly takes its toll. Best wishes on getting out of the funk!
DeleteI often get frustrated @ work -- and my OCD Mom
ReplyDeletesnuggling with my hellspawn Ravyn lifts my spirits
um Ravyn is my miniature BLACK panther (cat)
ReplyDeleteProlonged dark or rainy weather puts me in a blue funk. I can never wait for spring after winter. lad you are out of yours. I love your books and look forward to whatever you'll be writing!
ReplyDeleteGlad you beat out (or would that be beat down?) the block and figured everything out. It is so frustrating when things don't flow.
ReplyDeleteWell, with fall rain arrived, I certainly am feeling uninspired. An glad that you surmounted the writer's block.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of changing in weather....winter's coming soon and it's pretty darn funky times. But a good snuggle with a book helps!
ReplyDeleteHanging out with my kids usually gives me a boost. Unless they're feeling down and then I sink even further. :(
ReplyDeleteCheryl y do we have to wait sooooooo long i can't take it i can't find anything i am interested in reading im going crazy lol
ReplyDeleteRainy, dreary days put me in a funk. Sunshine and warm weather gets me out of it.
ReplyDeleteCold weather. Seeing my family gets me in a good mood.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are back on track. Really enjoyed Rebel but overextended right now so trying to catch up on things like writing reviews! Taking too close a look at extended family drama can put me in a funk...but reading (for pleasure) helps me get away from some of it! Personally, I am looking forward to the end of triple digit weather, lol.
ReplyDeleteThings not going well at work. Reading always helps!!!
ReplyDeleteI like to plan things and when it doesn't work out the way I envision, that gets me down. But listening to music always helps.
ReplyDeleteWhen the Dodgers play poorly and lose a game. (Altho they are on their way to the playoffs. YaY.
ReplyDeletePatoct
It's usually, honestly, myself that puts me in a funk. Mulling over things that should be long forgotten, having angry conversations in my head with people I know I'll never actually say those things to. What get's me out of it: Realizing that I'm stressing myself out for nothing. Then I do something that I know will make me feel happy, like watching a favorite movie. :-)
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