ShadeZ
Maester
I actually figured out a neat trick for avoiding that I call them "secret stories" their prequels or little branch off adventures or stories, they arent meant to be published I use them to formulate how my characters think or their backstory as well. This or just generally do things like this so that I dont ever really disconnect from the world.I feel saddest when getting to the end of a first draft that I've really enjoyed.
I still have the editing process, but I "live in the story" as it's reaching its crescendo and it's quite painful when it's over.
It's like I've been dumped.