So, I didn’t manage any words Tuesday or Wednesday, but I did get 150 words today.

This is an unusual situation, I have most of this scene written in bits and pieces and now have to figure out how they all go together. It’s a scene where my hero reveals his long range goals and discovers a few magical hints. I think it will be good once I can make the jigsaw puzzle form a single picture.

Yesterday I wrote 4,521 words on my NaNo novel (we had a write-in, so I wrote for 3 straight hours)… which was followed by a relapse of a stress-induced tension migraine, the likes of which I haven’t seen for about 2 years. Sigh. Time to de-stress my life… and maybe take a day or two off.

Maybe I’ll use the rest of today to catch up on my ‘Think Sideways’ lessons

I’ve spent the past 10 years or so endlessly fiddling with a huge epic fantasy project I called Infinity. It had many of the problems you often point out: over-the-top worldbuilding (as in: I’ve built tons of things I don’t actually need but feel obligated to use and explain), overgrown cast of characters, endless series, too many ideas crammed in the same place. Last year I decided I’d had enough: I’m letting it rest for a while until I understand what I want to do with it, and in the meantime I’m going to have fun with a much more focused stand-alone project.

From time to time Infinity still visits me. I know the whole project is wrecked, but I miss the characters, especially my MC which I’ve come to know so well. My muse pings me ideas now and then while I’m working on other stuff, and I let them float. I don’t know what the story or the world will be like, but I know the mistakes I’ve done in the past and I understand *why* I’ve done them. When the moment comes, I want to be ready to make it the best it can be

And I agree with red_dot; there’s potential for other things. Even if you could only put out some drawings and patterns – having the chance to make some costumes that resemble those in a movie or book is cool.

I can’t wait to see the designs … and read the story, too.

Now I finish most of what I start (and what I don’t finish I have good reasons for not finishing). And I’ve discovered that when I’ve put projects on hold for good reason, and have come back to them and finished them when I was ready.

For three examples, look at Midnight Rain, The Ruby Key, and Talyn. I know the process works for me, and that if I walk away when I need to, I’ll come back stronger when I’m ready.