I’m suffering from a moment of paralysis with my new story. This is a common occurrence, usually after I have surged ahead with the shape and characters. It is then that I suddenly have a crashing doubt for a day or two that I have overwritten parts or a character; or the dialogue is staid; or the plot has holes; or the motivations do not make sense.

That is when the real work starts: the editing and rewriting. This is my favourite part of the writing process as it is where the refinement and art is added to the rough clay shape of the early drafting. Once through this moment of paralysis I should be safely on the way again.