Beginning in the Middle

One of the hardest things to do as a writer is to return to an old project and pick it up where you left off. Right now I am so close to finishing book 3 in the Geodesy Series, Gravitational Forces, that I can taste it, but I keep leaving it and coming back. I have no more excuses now. Surf City is ready to roll, and Ethan is calling to have his story wrapped up. But . . . it’s so hard to drop back in. I’m rereading the first two novels to get back in his head, going through his journal from way way back before the books even existed and Ethan was just coming into being, and his voice is still only coming through whispers, but my will is strong. I want to finish this book badly.

So how does a writer find their way back to an old project? I suppose the same way old lovers find their way back to each other. They have to spend time with each other. Get back to those old touchstones. Remember what made the relationship work, the desires, the obstacles, the quirks, the long term goals and mysteries to keep hidden. (You should recognize these terms from your writing workshops.) Luckily, as an author I am a fiend about keeping notes and outlines, so I have a trail of clues and a map for moving forward, but I need to get that lovin’ feelin’ first so I can slip into Ethan’s skin and make his voice is the same as it was when we started when I was so in love with him that I had to write him, when he was literally a part of my soul and he lived in my head 24/7.

You writers out there jive with what I’m saying. The rest of you are thinking I need some psychotropic drugs and fast. Once I find Ethan, we’ll be finishing Gravitaional Forces in a few short weeks, and I won’t want it to end. My appologies to all my readers who have waited so long for it. Somehow I’ll move on to the next life I get to live. (Maybe Finn’s book) Anyway, starting in the middle is the hardest task for this writer. If you have any tricks, drop me a message.