Knowing When to Move On: Navigating Your Novel's Journey
Written on
Chapter 1: The Challenge of Letting Go
Reflecting on the past five years, I down-sized from a spacious 2600 square feet to a more modest 1100, discarding around 70% of my possessions. This process involved sifting through shelves and filing cabinets filled with old manuscripts, including two complete novels, various beginnings of others, and boxes brimming with notebooks full of ideas.
I chose to keep a few notebooks, realizing that the two finished novels were not on my computer—too outdated for me to consider revising. If I were to rewrite them, it would hinge on the ideas I had recorded, not the original text. Therefore, I let them go, along with five hundred rejection letters from snail mail submissions. Sometimes, the right choice is simply a matter of time, and your instincts will guide you. I’m not suggesting this is a universal truth; I’m just sharing the weight of that decision.
These novels had lingered for years. However, I have also revived old projects and moved forward. What distinguishes these situations?
Section 1.1: The Emotional Weight of Attachment
It becomes particularly challenging when you confront a project that holds deep emotional significance. This is the work that has accompanied you through a decade or more—perhaps even throughout a writing program or numerous drafts with a supportive group. It feels akin to abandoning a part of yourself, a culmination of years of effort.
It may take considerable time to acknowledge that the best course might involve letting go. The first step is to abandon denial. You might find yourself facing the genuine possibility of walking away from a narrative, from characters you have come to know intimately. And as I’ve often noted, characters are like people—they feel real!
However, you may realize that your mental well-being is at stake. It’s possible you need to explore a different story or that this particular one simply isn’t working for various reasons.
Section 1.2: Understanding Change and Growth
This story may have once thrived, showing promise, but it’s crucial to recognize that it was an important chapter in your life as a writer. Yet, it doesn’t mean you must cling to it indefinitely.
Working on a manuscript for an extended period often leads to personal growth. If the story aligns with your original vision, you might have evolved too much to continue embracing that same vision. Alternatively, the manuscript may have morphed over time, shifting through various themes and becoming fragmented.
Investing years into a project can feel similar to ending a long-term relationship. If others are involved—like an agent or editor—contractual obligations may complicate matters. In such cases, it’s wise to reach out for guidance, but remember, the most critical factor is you. A competent agent should be interested in your overall development, not just a single project.
Chapter 2: Assessing Your Options Before Moving On
Consider setting a time limit for your commitment to the project. For instance, declare, “I will dedicate six weeks to this, working daily, and if I find no improvement, I will step away.” Alternatively, you might say, “I will set this aside until I complete the first draft of a new project before revisiting it.” Implicit in this decision is the possibility of a “maybe”—but for now, focus on your new endeavor, knowing the old one can patiently await your return.
Ponder what it means to let go and explore what this work could become. Are there elements within it that could transform into short stories or perhaps a collection of interconnected narratives?
Continuing to tinker with paragraphs or characters you no longer resonate with can lead to frustration. Whether it’s feedback from your writing group or well-meaning advice from loved ones, it may feel as though time is slipping away.
Section 2.1: Finding Clarity Through Distance
Consider taking a break—perhaps a vacation or engaging in a different creative project, like painting a room. Establish a date to resume writing, and in the meantime, allow yourself to explore other writing avenues.
Evaluate your emotional state regarding the project. Do you dread working on it? Reflect on how long you’ve felt this way. If it’s been several months or more, it might be time to contemplate walking away or even running. Conversely, are there moments that evoke a profound sense of “rightness”? If so, heed those feelings.
What fears arise at the thought of letting go? What do you anticipate will happen if you walk away? Reassure yourself that you can always return to this project if needed—barring any drastic measures, of course.
Section 2.2: Embracing the Decision
Once you’ve made your decision, know that it can be safely stored away, either in a drawer or a digital file, and you’re free to avoid it entirely if you wish. Remember, no matter how long you invested in it, your writing time is never wasted.
Avoid self-recrimination. If dedicating time to a novel feels akin to a long-term relationship that has soured, give yourself permission to walk away. Few friends or counselors would advise clinging to a relationship that fails to bring joy. Writing should feel worthwhile—even during challenging times. If that sense of fulfillment has dissipated, it’s time to reassess.
After completing a project, I often experience a mix of emotions—part post-partum, part elation. There’s also a surge of home improvement projects, which can be both mundane and surprisingly productive.
Allow yourself to experience closure, even for unfinished works. Engage in activities that rejuvenate you—listen to music, dance, read, or tidy up.
Moving Forward
Explore the notes you’ve made about potential new projects. Write something brief—like a poem, short story, or article. Completing shorter works can provide a sense of accomplishment.
Celebrate those small victories. Let your confidence grow.
Join The Unschool here on Medium
The Unschool for Writers
Learning about writing—for joy, even in the struggle to attach words-to-page. No content machines here. Fiction and…
Or Substack
Unschool for Writers | Alison Acheson | Substack
Playing and working with words: finding your own way to fiction and nonfiction, poetry, and writing for young people…
This official music video captures the emotional depth of memories and nostalgia, resonating with the theme of letting go and moving forward in one's writing journey.
Brandi Carlile's "The Story" beautifully encapsulates the struggles and triumphs of storytelling, aligning perfectly with the exploration of our writing paths.