For this month’s IWSG, I’m writing ahead on November 1st as a break from my NaNoWriMo novel which has grabbed me around the neck. I am writing this post on just about 4 hours of sleep, writing in lieu of the midday nap I had planned due to lack of sleep because after writing my 1600-ish words just after midnight, I then came back (after a brief church excursion) to write almost 7,000 words total so far today.

And my brain is still wanting to write more – like literally I am so obsessed with this novel and related thoughts that I Cannot Sleep.

This novel is a total rewrite of a basic concept (princess held hostage who escapes and fights against an evil sorceress with dragons) I had when I was in my 20’s. Now that I’m in my 40’s, the story is back and is Totally Different and So Much Better. I want to read it. I want to write it, so I can read it, because what??? I’m – among other things – smiling at my younger self, like okay younger self.

Let me show you how a more mature writer could get a similar job done.

The story is so much better, so much edgier, so much more raw and real. I wonder why I never tried this before.

Keep the concept. Rewrite the book.

I have no idea where this is going, but – have you ever had an idea that just won’t die? Have you ever rewritten a novel concept entirely – only to realize that maybe, just maybe, this was the book you really wanted to write the whole time?

I have no idea. To be honest. But whatever this is – yes, more please. Maybe this is my mid-life crisis talking, but hey – whatever.