Tag Archives: editing

Pushing Through the Breaking Point

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Nasty throat infection this week. Been out of commission, have not felt like moving or writing.

Although, editing I have been. Like mad. I’m learning not to be hard on myself. What good does it really do to beat me up for a deadline that I set for myself? Doesn’t do any good whatsoever. I set deadlines for a reason and I have every intention of sticking to them, but sometimes there is a greater reason to miss the deadline. Sometimes the quality of the piece relies on it, and that’s what I’m finding with this novel.

Never have I had to be more patient with myself, more loving and more understanding than I have with this novel. And ultimately, I can only stay proud for all that I’ve accomplished on my own. The masterclass for writing that I went to last weekend confirmed that for me. It confirmed that I taught myself a heck of a lot about writing, editing and getting published.

I’ve been on this journey for about a year now. Last week I nearly quit, but then I realized, that’s what they want. This is the moment when most people bail out. This is the test that anyone who works hard on something must pass, and I was not going to let a cold or frustration get the better of me. I want this novel to be the best I can make it.

Where Most of the Novel was Drafted

I’m glad I did. I am so proud of how far my novel has come, and I can honestly say that its so close to being ready. Funny that. Six months ago, I think I said the same thing.

Between the editing and getting better, I also find myself browsing the internet for health insurance, craig’s list for a car, at&t for the iPhone and other minor details moving entails. I have “practiced packed” – that is something I never thought MAL would write. Me? Practice pack? But we are only allowed two suitcases per person and it looks like I must whittle it down from four. <sigh>.

How refreshing to start again with the bare essentials though…having finished a novel and lived in England for a year and a half with my love.

What things are you proud of in life?

200 Pages, Three Days (and a bit of England vs. USA)

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Seriously, I’m not procrastinating writing this blog (she writes sitting on her couch in her pajamas).

No, seriously, I’m not. I just want to put it out that there that I am attempting to edit just under 200 pages by Friday. I will finish this book if it kills me and I have to pull an all-nighter. (For those of you who are new readers, I’ve been working on my first novel since May of last year and am very, very close to finishing. I can taste victory.)

In the meantime, enjoy this video. True American Patriotism for World Cup 2010 at its finest. We don’t do anything subtle, do we?
Then again,take a look at these photos of the English showing their patriotism for the World Cup.

Oh, but England’s going DOWN!! USA, USA, USA! (she shouts jumping up and down…alone and in her bathroom with the windows and doors closed, self defense moves on the ready.)

Editing and Re-editing

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What draft am I on for my novel? Perhaps the 8th, 9th…10th….

Have just finished reading the book: Self Editing for Fiction Writers: How to Edit Yourself into Print . Honestly, if you’re going to read one book on editing, this seems to be the one. Already, I feel like my manuscript is being transformed, and the writers (who are professional editors) give you clear explanations and many, many examples of writing that shows you, rather than tells you (important element of book) how to incorporate it.

I’m happy the way I approached my novel because ultimately, I got it done. As I was writing it, I didn’t dwell on a “correct” way of writing a novel, I went with my gut and my instincts and wrote my novel. However, now that it’s complete, I see that I have a lot of work ahead of me, but ultimately it will always be mine. The editors from “Self-Editing” point out a lot of common habits of first time writers, and I’m finding I fall into some of those categories. It was hard to hear at first, but then the more I read, the more I realized how much insight I did have. So, it’s a confidence-builder and reality check at the same time.

The first three chapters have already been completely revised. (and I’m looking forward to the day I can say that about the rest of it.) But if my work ethic is anything like it was during Script Frenzy, I will have the re-writes complete in the next twenty days. I got thirty pages done yesterday, there are just over 300 pages in the book, and if I give myself some leeway…20 days is doable, right?

I also have to give a HUGE thank you to the ladies of the Lady Who…group, my mom and Courtney for giving me such good feedback. I have already incorporated a lot of it, and their words really have made me think. So, if I haven’t already said it, thank you a million times over! And don’t worry, your names will all be credited in the back of the published work!

(P.S. If you want to see some pictures on Flickr that I just posted, click here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ladywholunches/ )