I’m at that phase

[pjthompson]

Of thinking my novel-in-revision sucks the suck monkey’s toes. I’ve been cutting and fixing, but I think there’s plenty of mess left over. I want to see if I can cut at least another 2k before throwing myself on the mercy of my betas.

No matter how promising a novel starts out, it always reaches this despair stage. But that’s probably a good thing. Otherwise, we might love them so much we never wanted to let them go.

And every novel must be let go—and not just in the sense of “If you love something, let it go. If it comes back to you, it’s yours. If not, track it down and kill it.” Oh wait, that’s not how that goes, is it?

Well, letting go means never having to say you’re sorry.

Wait. That’s not what I’m trying to say, either. What I’m trying to say is that letting go of a novel is about liberating yourself to work on the next thing. I am so ready to work on the next thing.

Mirrored from Better Than Dead.

Comments

[asatomuraki.livejournal.com]

I feel your pain, or at least similar pain. I'm nearing the end of my first draft, and I already have notes out the wazoo.

By the way, I have not forgotten about the thing you sent me. I've read it, but I wanted to read it again before commenting. I think it's good, though.

[hominysnark.livejournal.com]

You and me both, sister.

[pjthompson]

Thank you. :-)

[pjthompson]

lol--something new, something new, something new, something new...

[marycatelli]

Ah, yes, this is the stupidest story ever to disgrace a writer and it would waste paper to print it out. . . .

Less than fun.

[kmkibble75.livejournal.com]

I hate that part of the process, but without it we wouldn;t know the joys of the "I love this book!" euphoria that hopefully comes fairly close to the time we're ready to send it out into the world. :-)

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

I'm in the quagmire with you, dear one. I have a slew of thoughts on writing at the moment, but somehow don't want to share because I think it will influence those who've agreed to beta for me. And I'm also afraid that if I don't share, someone will happen to think they negatively influenced me if they feel they gave me a harsh critique.

Ah the joys of being a writer AND being pregnant...

[pjthompson]

Yeah, that thing. One would think after so many stories becoming the worst story ever written we'd gain a little perspective, but no.

[pjthompson]

My "love this book" euphoria rarely comes at the sending out phase. If I get it, it's early in the process when the creative fire is hot. I may feel quiet satisfaction at other times, but the euphoria part, not so much.

[pjthompson]

lol--well, everything you said resonated with this non-pregnant writer, so let's just say the hormones have enhanced the baseline. ;-)

[kmkibble75.livejournal.com]

That's a shame. I get euphoric in fits and starts, but generally if I can look at a book when it's finished and think, "Yeah, this is one I'd read for fun," then I'm euphoric. :-)

[pjthompson]

That's good!