It happens to most writers. I know it’s happened to me. You’re halfway through writing your novel, or maybe you’re in the final editing phase, having reread and tweaked your manuscript for the sixteenth time, or it could be that you have that published book in hand and you’re prepping to market it…whatever the case you stare at the words on your laptop screen or the book itself, and you think, “I don’t love you anymore.”

Dread forms in your belly because you don’t want to believe it. After all, you’ve invested months, maybe years, into your writing project. That’s time and energy not spent with your family and friends or concentrating on your full-time job. And you did once love your story. You loved it so much that you shared your first pages with your critique group, waiting for their comments with baited breath. And you talked to your agent about it. You were so hyped up that you couldn’t contain your passion. “This story’s different,” you said, waving your completed chapters at her. “This one’s special.  I love, love, love this story.”

And you did. You truly did. Secretly, or not so secretly, you called your story your baby.  Your story was the last thing you thought about when you went to bed, and the first thing that entered your mind when you woke. You gladly lived and breathed its plot points. You had more conversations with your novel characters than you did with your significant other or your mom. Your story made you feel important and special. It gave you a purpose and made you feel whole.

So, what happened? Where did all the love go? More importantly, how do you get it back?

I think that your love went to the place where all love goes when things are hard. To that part of our brain that wants to give up. I’ve been married for thirty-four years. One thing I’ve learned is that love is a verb. In order to feel love, you have to give love.  Consequently, you have to work to maintain or reclaim love. Below are some tips to do exactly that.

1. It may sound hokey, but write your novel a love letter. That way, you’ll remember what sparked your passion initially.
2. If you’ve hit a wall, brainstorm and talk things out with someone…a writing friend, a coach. Once the problem is resolved, you’ll be able to focus again on what’s working. What’s good and right.
3. Work on a part of the novel that’s fun for you, like an action or climax scene. Doing what’s enjoyable often reminds us of what we loved about the project. It’s like having a candlelight dinner date and romancing your novel.
4. Think about why you started writing the novel in the first place. Was it that quirky, entertaining character or life lesson you’re desperate to share with readers? Write it down.
5. Take a break from your book for a few days. As they say, distance makes the heart grow fonder. It could be that you simply need a perspective or are burnt out.
6. Talk your novel up to others. Sometimes just saying the words out loud can revive that passion.
7. Visit that place where your novel is set or talk to the person who inspired it. Seeing the real thing might rekindle your love for story.

Falling out of love with your novel is very normal and super common. It’s kind of like hitting that physical and mental wall when running a marathon. (Don’t forget, writing a novel is a marathon) You just need strategies to get you through the rough patch and to keep that love alive.

I hope this helps! Always keep writing! If this post speaks to you, please leave a comment and reach out. Thanks for reading!