I don't have much to update you guys on, to be honest, but it's been a while since I've done one of these, so I thought I'd update you on my progress. I'm still deep in revisions with my current WIP. I completed my second round of revisions, but have decided that it needs more so am currently going through a third round of revisions with a new set of eyes on my story which I think is going to help immensely. It's so interesting (and scary) to read someone else's reactions to your story.
I found a new critique partner a few weeks ago (yay!) and it was so nerve-wracking to send her the first two chapters of my manuscript. It was like bearing my heart and soul to someone. Shit is scary people. What if she hates it? What if she thinks it's stupid? So many thoughts just running through your head. But the good news is, I think most aspiring writers know how to give constructive criticism that's not hurtful. Everyone I've ever worked with has anyway. And I think that's the key. I need someone to point out what's wrong with my book, but not be so brutal that I cry myself to sleep that night.
But let me tell you guys, revisions are hard. It's really difficult to see gaping plot holes and have no idea how to fix them. To see that your world-building is weak in places and trying to figure out how to beef it up without making it info dump. When your characters' personalities aren't coming across the page and you basically have to rewrite everything to get it to come out. This writing business isn't easy. Not that I ever thought it was, I just never realized quite how hard it actually is. First drafts are fun for me. Words just spill out and I get them on the paper no matter how messy. But this revising business? Takes so much thought, so much effort. Most of the time I'm just sitting in front of my computer, staring at it, willing my manuscript to fix itself. *sigh* But it's not going to do that. So I should probably get back to work. In fact, I'm supposed to be writing right now, but instead am writing this post about writing while not writing.
And so I am done procrastinating. Back to the grind. Wish me luck, everyone!
Revisions are so much harder than drafting, if for no other reason than you know when a draft is done, but revisions can drag on forever and you get the feeling that the manuscript could always be a little bit better. A good critique partner is a wonderful thing, and really if you have three or four people go through it and hear what they have to say, you get a representative sampling of what readers will or won't like about the current draft. Of course, that assumes you've worked up the courage to give it to more people! Keep being brave, I'm sure it will pay off when you have a polished book someone ELSE is book-blogging about ;)
ReplyDeleteWouldn't that be awesome? To see somebody else blog about my book? Crazy. I can't even picture that happening. Thanks for the encouraging words!
DeleteGood luck! I have so much respect for writers, I really can't imagine creating a story and characters and everything else. So glad other people are good at it! ~Pam
ReplyDeleteHa, well I wouldn't say I'm "good" at it...yet anyway. Maybe one day I'll get good at it. I just have to stick to it and keep trucking along. Thanks, Pam!
DeleteGood luck! I can only imagine I never get to that stage haha. I get ideas and write and then leave it. It's not a good habit. I'm not sure if I'll do nano this year... thinking about it!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I did that w/a couple WIPs before this one, but I really like this one and I want to see it through to the end.
DeleteAhhh! It's so exciting to hear about the awesome progress you're making. I'm wishing you the best of luck with your manuscript and sending you lots of virtual hugs. You go, girl! <3
ReplyDeleteThanks, Julz! You're the best. <3 How is yours coming along?
DeleteVery, very slowly, but it's coming. I'm still working on the big picture edits, trying to figure out exactly how I want to order things and then I'm hoping to get it looked at after that. Editing is certainly an extremely painstaking and tedious process. T_T
DeleteYes, it's the worst! Why can't it all just magically sort itself out? I know how I want it to be in my head. Getting it there is so difficult.
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