I’m revising.
(Feel my pain here.)
Actually it’s not so painful. I already had my requisite period of “Why am I even trying to write a book? This is the worst book ever written.” It happened during the drafting part. And that is awesome, let me tell you. It’s like duct-taping your hindparts into the chair and forcing out the Totally Horrible Words for hours, only to KNOW, beyond any doubt, that you have just gotten dumber for what you’ve experienced.
Awesome.
But, having gone through the assurance that this is the Dumbest Book Ever, I’m now moving on. Now it’s only the Least Complete Book Ever. And with that, I can deal.
I printed out my manuscript (single spaced, 11-point font). I put it in a clipboard. I added a packet of flags (taped it right down to the clipboard) and a short stack of orange sticky-notes. Brought (but decided not to use) a red pencil. And a blue pen, which, as it turns out, I used A LOT. I drove to the public library and started reading. I missed lunch. I don’t recommend missing lunch. But I do recommend starting the revision process in a place which is not the place you do your drafting.
Why?
Because I’m nuts.
Oh, no, that’s not it. Because Drafting is one thing. And Revising is a totally different thing. A thing for which there might be a better/different spot. If you’re a person who has a laptop, you’re covered, mobilitywise. I had to print. But that’s good too. Because I’m getting a little OLD, and I like to read things on paper. Especially 11-point font things. Also, my little print-and-travel system requires me to note (note only, not rewrite) while I’m in the read-through. You may be surprised to discover that I tend to get a little ahead of myself. And if you are surprised to discover that, well, welcome. You must be new here. I’m Becca and I enjoy a great deal of Ice Cream. Mmmmm. Ice cream. Where was I? Oh, yeah. Getting ahead. I think I want to hurry up and fix what’s wrong. But I need to ponder for a second, so I can make notes (in pen) on my paper copy, and then let those thoughts settle for a minute or a week. THEN I can come back to the kitchen and duct-tape my hindparts into the chair and rewrite and fill in holes. For several weeks.
So, here’s what I wanted to tell you. FIFTH GIFT is not the most awful book in the world. It’s not a complete waste of my time. Dad, cover your eyes. Guys, it doesn’t totally suck. (*sigh of relief*) There are issues. Major ones, maybe. Can I really have a main character wait for the halfway point before he shows his face? Um? Can I? Also, what is the deal with my characters EATING ALL THE TIME? It’s all about the food. Oh, boy. Maybe my next book will be a cookbook. I already have notes for such a thing. Oh, is it possible that I’m getting ahead of myself again? (But, hey – no ice cream. At all. I know. You didn’t think I could write a book without ice cream. Let me clarify – I had ice cream while writing the book. Lots. But nobody in the book eats ice cream. And also, there is much less shrugging than I usually put in a book. I am learning things. About shrugging and ice cream if nothing else.)
Reading, reading. Making notes. Making notes about the notes. Revising comes next. And then, prepare for the wind in your hair, because it’s going to be a ride.
(20) Comments for this blog
I want to be you.
I want to be you.
I recommend printing out your book EVEN if you have a laptop. I was in a big old hurry to submit my book, but on a whim decided to print it off and read through one last time, looking for mistakes. I found a couple hundred. Hundred!. They were just tiny things like putting a period where a comma should before the tag. But still. A couple hundred! I’m horrified I almost sent it in.
What kind of book did you write this time?
I recommend printing out your book EVEN if you have a laptop. I was in a big old hurry to submit my book, but on a whim decided to print it off and read through one last time, looking for mistakes. I found a couple hundred. Hundred!. They were just tiny things like putting a period where a comma should before the tag. But still. A couple hundred! I’m horrified I almost sent it in.
What kind of book did you write this time?
I think I will do this, but take it to the beach. I’m sure I could get lots done there. Maybe that will be my motivation to actually finish this thing.
I think I will do this, but take it to the beach. I’m sure I could get lots done there. Maybe that will be my motivation to actually finish this thing.
Your analogy for the drafting experience made me laugh out loud.
Your analogy for the drafting experience made me laugh out loud.
I am sure it is even better than you think it is. Love the tongue-twister title. 🙂
I am sure it is even better than you think it is. Love the tongue-twister title. 🙂
OH I feel your revision pain. I hope it goes well.
OH I feel your revision pain. I hope it goes well.
This is some of the best advice I’ve ever received on writing and revising. OH, and when can we get together and play? Cuz I’m here, and “Go play with Becca” is swiftly moving to numero uno on my list of must-do’s before the big snows cover your house.
This is some of the best advice I’ve ever received on writing and revising. OH, and when can we get together and play? Cuz I’m here, and “Go play with Becca” is swiftly moving to numero uno on my list of must-do’s before the big snows cover your house.
I am thrilled to know and receive delicious cookies from one so brilliant, clever and kind as you!
I am thrilled to know and receive delicious cookies from one so brilliant, clever and kind as you!
As president of the Revision Haters Club, totally feel your pain. Even though I do have a laptop I still print it out and do 56 pick-up with the pages (okay I don’t actually throw them around. Cause then I’d have to pick them up again and excercise tends to go against my moral principles) and then once that edit is done, I look it over again on kindle. Good luck!
As president of the Revision Haters Club, totally feel your pain. Even though I do have a laptop I still print it out and do 56 pick-up with the pages (okay I don’t actually throw them around. Cause then I’d have to pick them up again and excercise tends to go against my moral principles) and then once that edit is done, I look it over again on kindle. Good luck!
You are so right. Just tape yourself down and get it done. Then nail yourself down and read it, with stickies and pencils in hand. Then padlock yourself down and revise. (Then repeat, two or three or five times.)
:o)
A fellow taper/nailer/padlocker,
Susan
You are so right. Just tape yourself down and get it done. Then nail yourself down and read it, with stickies and pencils in hand. Then padlock yourself down and revise. (Then repeat, two or three or five times.)
:o)
A fellow taper/nailer/padlocker,
Susan