Wednesday, June 30, 2010

WiP Wednesday: Inspiration Strikes!


This week I decided my manuscript for Evangeline is ready for resubmission to an agent who seems to really get the story. I proofed, double-proofed, and sent it off. There's a part of me that wants to open that file back up and check every word again, as if that might somehow change the copy I sent the agent. Even before I sent it, I was starting to feel antsy, like I'd read and re-read so many times I was just putting in commas and taking them out again (Thanks, Oscar).

I was obsessing over the minor details when I knew the revisions the agent wanted were big picture stuff, and elements I believe I've successfully addressed, but still, the nitpicking and obsessing continued.

All that stopped when I was in the shower the other morning and BAM! an idea just hit me. I had a name, a conflict, and a few key scenes. I still don't know how it ends, but I'm ready to find out.

And just in time, too. It's been a while since I wrote anything new, aside from a few chapters of a sequel to Evangeline to see if I had it in me. I've been so busy this spring with polishing up Evangeline that I haven't let myself think of anything new. I haven't had the time, and I didn't need the distraction.

Now I'm wondering if it's some kind of survival instinct, like my muse knew my brain was way, way, way too busy for a new idea. Especially now that it's hit me with inspiration at the exact moment I needed something to distract me while Evangeline is being reconsidered.

So, thanks, Muse! Glad ya got my back, baby! I owe you a Dr. Pepper. Anyone else want to share a little about how their muse works? Does yours inundate you with new ideas while you're working on something else, or are you and your muse on the same wavelength? Muses can be moody, pesky and irrational, but where would we be without them? Living in caves and not even bothering to draw on the walls, that's where. Oh, and if you're wondering, my new mc's name is Cass. Her mom's a witch, but she's not. And that's all I'm going to say about it right now.

Don't forget to enter my birthday giveaway, which will be open until Wednesday, July 7th.

12 comments:

JEM said...

Cracks me up that you said inspiration hit you in the shower, because I get the most ideas while I'm showering. I don't know what it is, but it's like the steam clears and BAM! I've fixed a plot line or thought up a great new scene or been inspired to a new storyline. Maybe there's something in the water...

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Got all my fingers and toes crossed for you on that sub. How amazingly thoughtful and supportive of your Muse to deliver just when needed. Have fun--although it sounds like you already are!
I think my Muse is holding off to see what I'm gonna do with all the other ideas she's showered upon me. I have a backlog...

XiXi said...

Yay, I'm starting a new project too and I love that feeling of fresh story. You are always so inspired, whereas when you're a good way into a story, you start to feel the doubts. The beginning is the best!

(I always get ideas lying in bed waiting to fall asleep. Sometimes, it happens in the shower too, though. I don't know why you're brain works better in certain places.)

Abby Annis said...

Yea! I'm glad you found something to keep you distracted. :)

Zoe C. Courtman said...

Oh, I love it when the the muse shows her lovely face! Must be something in the air today - another friend found her inspiration for a new story, and I got some intriguing ideas for another WIP in the pipeline. Can't WAIT to get to that one - but I have to finish this one first :D Great post!!!

Krispy said...

I totally get inspired in the shower too! :)

My muse taps into my procrastination inclinations. It's so bad. I almost always get new ideas for things when I'm supposed to be doing something else. *sigh* But new ideas are fun! I'm toying with one that came about from a dream.

Anissa said...

I am in dire need of a Muse attack to motivate me to FINISH THESE REVISIONS!

Yay for you...and Evangeline!

Shannon O'Donnell said...

I wish my muse would strike up the inspiration a little. I think she took an extended leave of absence. LOL! :-)

Anonymous said...

It's such a wonderful feeling getting the muse back after she seems to have taken a vacation! Good luck on the new story :)

Jade said...

New ideas are the best! Except sometimes they turn up when I don't want them too.

My muse is really demanding. Sometimes he (his name is Ralph) floods my brain with another idea while I'm meant to be working on something else, which is naughty, naughty. But he's funny so I forgive him for that.

I look forward to hearing about this new story!!

Reena Rai said...

Good luck with the new project poppet, I'm constantly starting new things I love a challenge

Plamena Schmidt said...

Happy Birthday!!! Yooo-hooo. I hope you get published this year : D Oh, and love and happiness too.