from the depths of my mind, they flutter free

the writing cycle

Just one more shiny idea,
another tale to bring to life,
another novel plot to draft
on top of others you have to write.

"I'll finish this," you claim,
as you barely type out the first chapter
of another unplanned addition
to the swelling pile of manuscripts
you've started but not ended.

But that first burst of inspiration
can only flow for so long
before the last drops of motivation
leak out of your skittish mind.
Then you sit idly in your delusion
that you need to wait for them to return
before you can resume that damn draft
you've spent more time babbling about than type.

At least you're not half as bad
as those who only claim to write.
You know, those coffee-sipping café regulars
who unfold their laptops or notebooks in coffee shops,
spending ages planning, researching, and worldbuilding
or seething and whining and drowning in envy
about other works that are "less worthy"
while barely putting out a single word.
If at all. Oh, how absurd.

At least you've managed a chapter or two.
(Before ditching it for another draft.)
Good thing you're not just as bad
but I know exactly what is.

Editing and tweaking here and there
to make sure your first draft is "perfect."
Change a line here, add a paragraph there,
might as well flip the plot while we're at it.
Then you sink into another vicious cycle
of rewriting the thing you're still writing.
And—oh, you're still stuck on Chapter Two.
Of course, with all that premature polishing.

It's high time you put a stop
to this harmful habit of yours.

Choose one writing project to focus on
and be faithful to it till it's done.
Or choose two if you really must
if you're more used to threesomes.

Don't let new ideas tempt you
or the old ones that you've bred.
And don't you dare start revamping chapters
while most of your story's still in your head.

And if they're still too distracting,
I've got a novel plan you should try!
Open a doc, title it "Story Ideas"
and shove them all inside.
Let those ideas solidify
while you sit down with your draft and type.
Once you've finished (your first) one
then you can finally decide.

Who knows? Maybe your ideas will blend
while they're locked in your document.

Hopefully, for once in your life,
you'll get to write "The End."