/lit/ - Literature

Help me out.

I’ve had a few short stories published and self published a couple collections, so I definitely feel like I’ve accomplished some things. But, man, lately I feel so burned out.

My gigantic fantasy epic I’ve been working on for the last fifteen years just feels overstuffed and bad. It used to be a big motivator for me—no matter what happens I’ve always got this novel. No matter what people say about me, how depressed I feel, or how hard it gets financially, I’ve got this amazing fantasy novel in the works.

I’m finally coming to terms with the fact that the story has good stuff in it and creative ideas, but it just doesn’t have the character depth needed for a good book. So, I’ve scrapped it.

It felt like a relief at first. Good, I thought, now I don’t have this enormous burden hanging over me making me feel guilty when I’m screwing around or getting drunk when I should be writing.

But, I also kind of feel empty. That driving force is also gone.

I need help getting through this. I need to start a new project, and I’m just not sure where to begin.