I’m writing a novella for my old publisher, Kensington. I finished my first draft last week, printed it and read through it.
The first 32 pages had to be thrown out, re-plotted and rewritten. Right now I am on a really tight schedule and I can’t afford the time. On top of that, I’m having Thanksgiving at my house and people are expecting food.
I’m told that Granola bars on paper plates are unacceptable…whatever.
So the last few days I’ve been alternating between cleaning, plotting, tormenting my awesome friends for help, and writing, writing, writing.
The thing that aggravates me the most is that I made an amateur mistake. In those 32 pages, most of it is back story and set up. I KNOW better than this. I’ve written a lot of books and I know better. My friend, Laura Wright, who was the first to work with me on this book TOLD me in a very nice and professional way.
Yet I still screwed up. I still didn’t “get it” until I finished the novella and read it through.
In addition to this, I have a 480 page manuscript for the third Wing Slayer Hunter book sitting on my desk that needs a pretty significant revision. My editor and I talked it over, and she had some fantastic input, including removing a significant plot thread.
I also need to revise a synopsis for the following book then write that book.
In spite of all that work, in spite of pressure, I can’t send off work that’s unacceptable to me. I. Just. Can’t. So I’m taking the time, and you know what? Now that I’ve changed the beginning, the whole novella is much clearer to me and I can’t type fast enough to get it all down. It’s working much better, moving faster and I’m confident I’ll get it fixed and in acceptable shape.
What’s my point? I have a couple actually:
1) Even though I strive to be professional and treat my work as business, writing is still a creative endeavor. The story takes as long as it takes to develop into a book. It’s frustrating and irritating, but it just is. So I will deal with it.
2) I still make amateur mistakes.
3) I should listen to my critique partners!
4) I don’t know how I’d survive this business without my friends.
But I’m still ticked off at myself for not doing this right the first time through. My sister swears it’s because I’m a perfectionist but that’s obviously not true. If I was a perfectionist, I’d have gotten it right the first time…right??? Come on, you know you want to agree with me that I’m right and my sister is wrong!
Hope all of you have a great Thanksgiving!
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I need to settle down and write my synopsis — and I’ve already written the book. I think you can be a perfectionist and not get it right the first time. But I want to agree with you. I think you show that you take pride in your work.
Good luck with Thanksgiving. Tell people to bring food.
Terry, do you have time this week to work on your synopsis? Can you make time?
I am an excellent nag
My sister in laws are bringing food! They will help, and so will my husband and kids.
I so am Not a perfectionist, I just can’t convince my sister of that!
I sure hope so. Right now it’s busy “staging” so the real estate photgrapher can take his shots for the web. Hubster is assembling a patio table as I type so the space we’ve ignored for 22 years will look “inviting”. (I unfolded the already assembled chairs) Thank goodness for WalMart!
And I’ve got about 6000 years of ethnic heritage making me an expert at guilt, so I’m sure I’ll get something done on that synopsis. I figure no point in submitting until after T-Day anyway. Takes some pressure off.
Terry, you’re giving me shudders thinking of trying to sell the house and work!
A little guilt is good, but you have a lot going on so don’t be too hard on yourself!
Jenn, I know just how you feel! Working on one, got another practically due and have the copyedits for the May book sitting on a table. Happy Thanksgiving!
Deb, isn’t that always the way it stacks up?
Enjoy your Thanksgiving!
I think all those deadlines sound exciting but scary as hell. I entered a contest for St. Martin’s Press. The winners will be announced next week. I keep thinking why did I enter that book, I should have entered another one I feel a lot more confident about, but now there’s nothing I can do but wait. I’m just glad I didn’t chicken out even though I probably won’t win.
I don’t think you’re a perfectionist. I think you are very passionate about writing and you don’t want to disappoint your readers. No need to worry. I’ve read every one of your books and I love them all.
Now, I’m off to get some writing done while the washer and dryer are running.
Everyone have a happy and safe Thanksgiving.
Holly, that’s so exciting that you entered the St. Martin’s contest! I’ve got my fingers crossed for you!
Thank you on my books. That’s lovely to hear. I am passionate about doing my best to give readers what they want
Perfectionist? You! ROFLMAO! Your sister has you so pegged! Srsly!
I hear you on the work stacking up. I really need to get off my arse, shut down the net and get busy!
T-giving will just be Lawyer Guy, The Only, Baseball Boy, and me. I plan on doing a turkey breast for sammiches and pumpkin pie because..uhm…that’s what we like! (Except the SIL–the good one–just emailed and suggested they come for dinner. Vegans. *sigh* I’m seeing lasagne, half meat/half vegan. And my signature homemade rolls.
Okay. Break over. Back to edits or writing. Not feeling either one today. But thanks for the giggle. You not a perfectionist? LOLOL!
Shhh! Silver, my sister is WRONG! I’m not a perfectionist! (Or I’d have done a much better blog but I was just too pressed for time last night.)
I know you’re doing edits…it can be draining. Hope you get through them soon!
Have a great T-day with your family!
Jen give yourself a break. sometimes you have to write it once or twice or hell, three times! to find the holes and make it shine.
Have a great Thanksgiving!
While rewrites and rookie mistakes aren’t your forte it is all about the travel. Each time you have to rework the scenes, plots, and subletys of your book it grows, it strengthens, deepens, and become more intriguing in it’s growth.
Happy Thanksgiving.