If you can hear that, it’s me, mentally drumming my fingers. On December 28, I finished the first draft of my current WIP and now seek patience while I listen to the experts. Jodie Renner, an editor I discovered through The Blood Red Pencil recently offered a detailed list on her blog called How to Revise and Polish a Novel.
Knowing I was going to get to that stage soon, I bookmarked her page. She offers a wealth of process thoughts, as well links to posts on point of view, dialogue and style. As per her instructions, I have put my draft away “for at least two weeks.” Technically, two weeks is up on Wednesday, but I'll go longer to ensure when I open the file again, it is reads fresh and new.
This is hard though, since I’m eager to get back at it…to revisit this thing I started writing last winter. Other than presenting early chapters to my writing group, I have not allowed myself to go back and read, for fear of drowning in necessary changes and sputtering to a halt before completing the story at all. And although Jodie says right now I should send it to Beta readers while I’m waiting, I’m not there yet. I know how scattered my writing can be. It wouldn't be fair to do that to anyone. Instead, I'll go through one revision before letting anyone read it…with the exception of the aforementioned writers’ group, whose members have patiently been commenting chapter by chapter. As I complete this first revision, I’ll incorporate their comments.
So in the meantime, the clock ticks slowly and I wait, trying hard not to bite my nails. The upside? I’ve got more time to write blog posts. And, I’m spending my middle-aged, sleepless nights, deciding if I have an idea for the next WIP.
21 comments:
I wouldn't send anything to my critique partners that hadn't been polished many times over by me! I'm not that cruel.
A few more days and you can dive back in.
I know it's hard, but wait wait wait before you dive into revisions. It's the best thing you can do. If you really need something to edit I can always send you something...lol.
That's so great that you're waiting it out. It's difficult to do. I agree though, I wouldn't want to send it out till I was happy with it.
Catherine Denton
I know you are just itching to get back to it, but have patience. The first time I heard about putting a manuscript away I wasn't sure, but I did it, and wow what difference. I have one sitting right now I want to get my hands on, but I'm waiting,too.
Yay for finishing your draft! Enjoy your break - have fun, relax - the hard work can wait for a while! Take care
x
Oh yeah! Good for you! Finishing a first draft is H A R D. You did it! I wouldn't send it to readers yet either -- but that's me. My rule of thumb is -- if you know there are things to fix then do that first. Then, when you get feedback you can hear what else needs to be done.
You should treat yourself to time off with something special. You climbed a mountain and made the summit. Relax, breath, before tackling the next peak.
But I know what you mean, waiting is always the hardest.
I know it isn't always the easiest thing to do, but I'm glad that you're giving yourself some time to let the process happen.
Maybe you can even catch up on some of that sleep! ;~)
Waiting is THE best thing you can do. Between each draft. I use critique partners early but not betas until near the end of the process.
Wow, this sounds like an amazing process. Must be why I haven't dreamed of actually being a real writer in a very long time. So much work... be proud of yourself and enjoy the process. Being patient with all of this must be difficult, but it will be worth it.
What a fabulous link! Thanks. As for revising...I cracked open a manuscript that's been lying dormant for over a year. It's worthy of my time and I'm enjoying working on it.
*applauds Liza* Don't worry about this. You have accomplished something amazing! My crit partners see the early drafts. Betas see the later drafts.
I am so happy for you. :-)
Only a few more days! I never send out rough drafts either, I have to go over them at least once, usually more.
Seems the waiting is a good idea. That fresh look is needed in life as well as in novels. Wishing you unlimited success!
Congratulations on finishing! I hope that when you do go back to look at it, you are pleasantly surprised by how incredibly good it is.
That's good advice. I always revise myself several times before I let anyone else read it. And who knows....you probably will come up with another idea in the meantime.
Oh, I'm the same way! I've only sent a first draft to a beta once and that was a disaster. But I've had critique partners who send me first drafts that are really wonderful, so we're all different. Do what works for you, I'd say. Best of luck - and how exciting! Congrats on finishing that first draft. :)
Liza, you have a truly wonderful way with the written word. Now might be an excellent time to be reminded of that. Going back into a first draft is awful. However, try not to focus on all of the blunders and "what was I thinking" places, but be amazed that you got through at all. And then just be grateful because you have something to sharpen and mold into the fine workmanship that is yours. I am soooo proud of you just that you made it start to finish. Once you get that far, that is when it all really begins. So, allow yourself this break to relax your mind. I know that your book will be amazing. And ~ of course ~ you will have more ideas. You are a WEALTH of ideas!!!!
I never realized just how important time away from a project is until I moved on to something else and didn't look at the other for months! What a brand new perspective I gained!
Your patience will pay off! :)
yep, that waiting period between first draft and editing can be excruciating. I'll often write short stories to get my mind off the ms.
Good for you for completing your first draft. A great accomplishment. One I have yet to do or finish!
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