The emotional spectrum of novel writing

I don’t think the image is going to show up here very well, so let me just link it.

Novel chart

I think this sums it up pretty well. A writer goes through quite a few phases while writing a novel…most of them extremes. Maybe that’s why writing is so addicting, because it helps you experience such strong emotions, both light and dark. For those who didn’t click on the link yet, the chart shows a progression of 8 emotional stages during the course of writing a novel. They are:

• This is the GREATEST idea I’ve ever had!
• Okay, it’s harder than I thought, but still good.
• This is going to take some work.
• This sucks. And it’s boring.
• (Dark night of the soul)
• It will be good to finish it because I will learn for the next novel.
• Hey, I can at least finish this sucker in just another 10,000 words.
• It’s done and it sucks, but not as bad as I thought.

Having gone through all of these phases, I can say they’re a good reflection of what a writer feels while drafting a story. However, I will point out that it is quite possible and likely that you will backtrack and experience several points over and again before finishing. You can usually figure out what part of the chart you’re on by tracking your productivity. I do that by watching my word count. Maybe you might measure it by how many hours (or minutes) you spend writing each day (or week). We all know our abilities and limits, so figure out the scale for yourself. Sometimes you can bust past a little mental roadbump just by realizing that it’s a phase, unless you let yourself get bogged down in it.

Right now…I’d say I dropped down to (Dark night of the soul) a couple weeks ago on my current project, but then bumped back up to “Going to take some work.” I see the potential the story still has, and after grinding through some rough scenes, and then skating through some nice action, I’m starting to see the next portion of the story more clearly. Hopefully I can avoid any more “dark night” periods, but even if they do come, knowing I can wait them out is encouraging. The words will come if I sit still and silent enough.

Where are you on this spectrum, and would you say this chart is an accurate representation of what you’ve gone through?

I see that smile.