Perseverance v abandonment - The Author's Dilemma

The dilemma of persevering with a book as a writer or reader struck me this week. As a writer on more than 50,000 words into a novel, I'm too invested to give up on it. So though I'm excited about a new idea for a novel, I find myself attempting to hang in there. 

However, as a reader, I have two new books 30 pages in, and I'm tempted to abandon both. 

The first is a recent best seller full of hype. The premise intersted me, but the style and tone is do cold that I am repelled from becoming absorbed by the story. It doesn't feel right for me in the throngs of December and Christmas. 

The second is a historical drama from a vest selling and well regarded author. I've read one of her books, a long time ago. I'm bored, simply not engaging with the content and style. 

Book 1 is 400 pages long. Book 2 is 600 pages. Perhaps it's the length, or I'm daunted by the task of completing them. 

Sometimes it takes a while to get into a book, for me to find a rhythm and fall into it. 

I'm reflecting on my own style and the content for my novels. Often, I like to think about what the experience will be for my readers, and also as I edit and add in new chapters, what needs to change. 

I've consulted online book reviews, and AI, both of which have me leaning towards giving up on the books. That's just not in my nature. I might try to reach the 100 page mark, and decide then. 

The photograph in this blog is a splash of colour from Columbia Flower Market. It brightened up my balcony in October. 

Now that it's truly cold, I want to curl up and read, or watch winter from home while I write. 

I'm dragging myself to a weekly writing group and working on my novel, even though I'm totally brain dead before and after. I'm thrilled there's progress, but want to finish it, desperately! 

So I'm going back to the books to read a bit more, as I know from past experience how satisfying it can be to finish a few chapters. 

Happy Sunday!