Final Status Report

[pjthompson]

Okay, so I'll probably natter on about Shivery Bones again sometime, but this is my final report on: The Rewrite That Would Not Die 2: The Winnowing.

Chapters completed: All of them!

Revised page count: 586

Revised manual word count: 144,058 (net words cut 983)

Revised Word line count with a zero stuck on the end word count: 143,590 (net words cut 1170)


So, I don't recommend doing two intense rewrites in less than three months, but I kind of wanted to prove to myself I could do it. So I did it. I'm happy I was able to cut 12,000 words. The first draft came in at around 156k, the second around 153k. 144k is still too long but I am done for the moment. Yay for me!

As often happens with me when I've been stressing for a long time (and it wasn't the ms. so much as many other factors in my life right now), I got nailed by a nasty virus last night and am currently dealing with the flu. That sort of scotches my plan to work on the synopsis and first 60 today, but it's probably just my body saying, "It's time to take a break." So I'm going to do a serious veg thing for a couple of days at least.

Comments

[kmkibble75.livejournal.com]

I commend your body for enforcing vegetation. :-)

[pjthompson]

And it's being very strict about enforcing it, too.

Hooray! Boo!

[melinda-goodin.livejournal.com]

Dear Pam,

Hooray finished rewrite! Hooray tighter text. I'm in awe of your ability to usefully pare down your words and to stick with it. I'm gad you were able to prove your capabilities to yourself.

Boo for the nasty virus! I hope your flu doesn't last long, and the obviously needed rest recharges you. Have you looked into relenza? (I think that's what it's called: the anti-flu nasal spray. Expensive as all get out but worth not spending two weeks suffering)

Now would be a good time to focus on your rest, your diet and peace of mind, rather than the synopsis and first 60. They and you could probably do with a bit of "quiet" time for that fresh perspective.

::sending healthy vibes::

Re: Hooray! Boo!

[pjthompson]

Thanks, Melinda. My first drafts are always way too fat. I had one of those a ha! moments a few years back about bloated prose and I've been ruthless in my rewrites ever since.

Have you looked into relenza?

I've heard it's good, but I'm thinking now I don't have a virus, just nasty cold. I'm not running a fever and the rule of thumb, I've heard, is that fever=flu, no fever=cold. So I guess I'll just ride this one out. It's a great excuse to do nothing. :-)

[maggiemotley.livejournal.com]

Go you! I'm incredibly impressed that you could pare away 12K words, that's half of one of your short stories ;-P

I'll get the you-know-what back in the next day or so -- promise!

[pjthompson]

12K words, that's half of one of your short stories ;-P

Hahaha--brat! It's a fair cop, though.