Confessions of a Plot Whore

I've always admired the dedication of monogamous writers.

Those brave people who can solemnly resist the temptation to wander when they hit a rough patch. Those morally upright souls who love their work through thick and thin. Those who finish one project from rough draft to final query letter without even glancing at the outline of a new story.

Sadly, I lack the moral fiber of a monogamous writer. I'm a plot whore.

No sooner do I hit a rough patch in my WIP than I find myself listening to the siren song of another book.

"Remember when I wouldn't tell you about my life?" one tactiturn character whispers seductively in my ear. "Come write about me and I'll give you a tour of my city. The one I wouldn't show you. The one you *need* for my opening chapter."

His offer dangles in front of me like a 14-carat diamond tennis bracelet.

Another character grabs my arm. "You love me better," he avers. "Think back to that dazzling battle scene. I'll give you all the other chapters. Battles. Explosions. Crazed dictators and cyborgs. Isn't that what you really want?"

It's like offering me a trip to Cancun!

How is a girl supposed to resist?
Seductive as ever a third character slinks into the conversation. "I was your first love." Her voice shames me. "Your very first novel. Why don't you come back to me? I have everything you love..."


Just behind me, looking terribly disappointed, stands my current lover. Eighteen chapters of pure passion, you have the ending, and an outline, that look seems to say. Yes, Gap Chapters are hard. We know the writing is rough. But with a little love we can be everything you ever dreamed of.

A monogamous writer wouldn't even consider running in fear for her sanity at this point. She'd tough it out.

Me, I've done everything possible to avoid making a decision this week. I've written a few hundred words here and there like the mandatory kiss-off dinner before you break up.

I've given myself a chore list a mile long, run errands, gone to meetings... and now find myself staring at the last 600 words of chapter 18 not sure if I can finish Under a Dark Star.

I know I NEED to finish this project. I know that it has the potential to be my debut novel. But it's so hard right now! I can't get the scene to form in my head the way I want. I think it lacks tension. I'm torn by wanting to rewrite the opening chapters again, or charging on, or running away.

So, like the proverbial gun to the head, I'm pulling out my Playlist and Write-or-Die, my good ol' NANO stand-bys. Because when moral fiber fails there is always the threat of Hanson.