SWRT 212 | Reconnecting with an Old Work-in-Progress

July 8, 2021

person typing on MacBook Pro on brown wooden table during daytime photo

This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Robert, & Kathryn talk about reconnecting with a work-in-progress that has been shelved for a looooong time. Robert has returned to a manuscript after four years. Anyone who has been more than “resting” a manuscript will benefit from Robert’s process and today’s discussion.

VIDEO

AUDIO

SHOW NOTES

What we talked about:

How do you pick up a long-dormant work? (0:30)

How important is our connection to our work? (7:45)

How do you re-form your emotional connection? (9:00)

What is your end goal? (13:14)

Is there an emotional charge for you? (14:28)

Do the thing, or move on! (16:38)

What about when you can’t pick it back up? (19:12)

Why do we do this to ourselves? (24:15)

The blessing of a supportive partner. (26:10)

LINKS

Get Alida’s Writing Tips here.

Want more about these topics? Check out:

SWRT 099 How to prioritize projects and when to walk away
SWRT 137 Writing Life Balance
SWRT 138 Writing Life Balance part 2

Have thoughts, questions, other examples? Join the conversation at the Story Works Writers Facebook group.

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About Your Hosts

Alida Winternheimer is an award-winning author with an MFA in writing from Hamline University. She pursues her fervor for all things story as a writing coach, developmental editor, and teacher. Three times nominated for the Pushcart Prize, she is also a notable in Best American Essays and winner of the Page Turner Award. Author of The Story Works Guide to Writing Fiction Series, Alida lives and writes in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She camps, bikes, and kayaks in her free time. Unless it’s winter, in which case she drinks chai by the fire. You can find more at www.alidawinternheimer.com.

Kathryn Arnold writes fantasy and anything else that sparks her creativity from her home in Kingston, Washington. She currently earns her living as an insurance underwriting assistant, where she also creates marketing and web copy. When not writing, she plays (and teaches) piano and keyboard in a band (or two), and is working on starting a ministry team with her husband. You can find Kathryn at www.skyfirewords.com.

Robert Scanlon was born in Australia, but whisked off to England when only a baby. After many years complaining about the weather, he did the sensible thing and moved back to Australia. Despite a career in the music industry, followed by decades teaching public speaking, Robert is an introvert who adores reading. Robert grew up on a diet of sci-fi masters, eventually discovering he had read the library’s entire science fiction section. Now he has to write his own. Robert is the author of Constellation, book one of the Blood Empire space opera series. Find out more at www.RobertScanlon.com

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