Recently, I've been having a problem with sticking to one tense when I write. For example, I'll begin in first person, using the past tense and after a few pages - suddenly it's in the present continuous tense.
I know sometimes a change in tense can signal something, such as a change in pace of the story or something significant like that, but in my case it just seems random. I'm not doing it on purpose (at least, not consciously...). So what's up, brain?
Another problem I have is that sometimes, when I'm writing a scene or a chapter it will take me AGES to write it. I could have written five paragraphs after two months - if that. But really, if it takes me a while to write it, I know by now that it's a signal that it's not working. It's like insisting I stay in my seat, even though the plane is on fire and everyone else is leaving via the emergency exit.
I just refuse to accept that it's failing and keep trying to write. Until of course, I come to my senses and scrap it all, starting afresh and realising: hey, this is working out a lot better! I can write again, hallelujah!
Maybe one day I'll learn to catch the signs of a chapter not working sooner, and avoid feeling like I've wasted valuable time.
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