Do you ever feel frustrated because you have a vision for your WIP, but you don’t know how to go about getting it there? It’s pretty overwhelming at times. I am working hard on revisions for The Heart is Lonely Still. Some days I feel like I have a handle on it, and other days I feel completely out of control. I know all about layers, and perhaps I am just frustrated at how long it takes to perfect a manuscript. I can’t possibly get this up to snuff after two revisions, maybe not even three or four, five or six, or ever! I do know this…I won’t put this book down until I get it as perfect as I can.
The amazing thing is that I am reading and taking in everything I can from agents, editors, and other writers (published and not). It has helped tremendously to beta read too! It’s good to know that we all experience the same things, feelings, thoughts, and emotions. There is a whole community of people out there who are willing to help. How cool is that? So what if some of them have margarita drinking gladiators named Tyrone as their main characters! We still love them, and that's why I love all of you.
Speaking of amazing writers and blogs. I just got through reading this post on Linda Sandifer’s blog, Writing out West, about using your senses in writing. If you haven’t already read it, jump on over. She has published numerous books, and her blog rocks!
23 comments:
Thanks for the link. Shall check out shortly.
So, is The Hear is Lonely Still the sequel to The Heart is Lonely Still? :P
Frustration? Yes! But those stinking characters keep stalking and whispering the most maddening things to me. Gah! It's enough to drive one crazy. *winces* Wait!
Dany -Fixing it right now! THANKS!!! LOL Not a sequel but a stupid mistake. Yes...it is enough to drive one crazy for sure! :-)
Hang in there! Revisions will make your book even more fantabulous.
No problem. :D Life is always so much better when one wears a laugh. :D And so long as we can all be crazy together--well, we're all in good company. :D
Haha, darn revisions. They're never done. I was at a conference not too long ago and one of the speakers, Jeffrey Deaver (who has like, 20 or more books published) said he does 20-30 revisions. Can you believe that!! Wow. Maybe that's why he has 20 or more books published, lol.
Thanks for plugging my blog. I'm glad the post on the Five Senses was helpful. Good luck with the revisions!
Whoa. You are having Revision Fits? This is serious. Drop everything. Rush to the nearest ER and explain your symptoms. If you go to the same one I do, they'll know exactly what you're talking about and help you get down off the ledge. LOL!
Hang in there! (srsly)
I feel your pain. If it really starts getting to you, take a break for about a month. Hard as hell to do, but you'll come back with fresh eyes.
Ugh. Revisions. I've not started yet, and am already dreading it.
I'm so impressed that you're patient enough to revise until it's perfect. I always have the tendency to want to get it out ASAP. I'm always so antsy.
And I hate editing. I love writing the first draft, but editing is always a challenge for me.
Good luck!
Editing and revisions are my nemesis!!! Can't the darn books just come out perfect the first time around? UGH!
Good luck with that :D
That's wonderful, even with the frustrations, that you know the vision of your manuscript and you are going to keep working until you get there.
Keep going! You've already come this far and it will be great when it's done. I'll even serenade you with my guitar (I mean, Fifi le Strumstrum) when you finish :D
Revisions always seem overwhelming to me at first. But normally about a week in I feel much better!
Mariah - Thanks so much for the confidence boost! ;-)
Dany - TRUE DAT!! :-D
BJ - Oh my gosh! I think I just got the hives. lol Yeah, I can see that happening to me.
Linda - I REALLY loved your post and I wanted to pass it on to everyone who may not see BJs blog. :-)
Elana - TOO FUNNY!!! LOL Hope they can give me some meds!
Guppy - I know! You just went through all that with your book. I put it down for a month...and it DID work. I got some feeback, marked up a printed draft, and now I am going to make a round of changes then send it out to betas to get ripped! LOL Then I will put it down. Whew...that was a lot!
Beth - I'm right there with ya!
Lisa and Laura - I feel that way too but and trying to be patient. EEK! So, are you guys going to get some Jennifer Hudson pants?
Marybeth - AMEN SISTER!!!! LOL
Cindy - I might need a serenade! LOL Especially if it involves Fifi le Strumstrum! LOL (made me snarf!)
PJ - and that's why you are the BOMB! :-) So nice to have you back in blogosphere!
Very nice blog! Congratulations!
Best wishes,
Rosana
I have that blog bookmarked to follow. And I'm excited about those senses posts!
Um, sweetie, I hate to break it to you, but editing in layers takes a freaking long time. Like, a loooong time. At least the way I work with layers, anyway. One layer can take me a month. And that's frustrating when I know there's 7 more layers ahead of that one...
Your book is good. It has a lot of potential, and you're doing fantastic and working hard to improve. I know you can do it! This is why many writers work on multiple projects - to keep from going absolutely nuts while they edit. :)
Lady in Red - Thank you so much for stopping by! :-)
Michelle - Thank you glamy one!
:-) Long time for sure! Atually, it was good but then I added some stuff and it went right down the drain. LOL j/k I know you can relate to this at the moment!! I was preaching to the choir. LOL
Two words: multiple margaritas. I'll send Tyrone over with a pitcher . . . but you better let Lady Glamis know as well. I'm just saying . . .
Didn't you read the fine print when you signed on to be a writer? Frustration is a mandatory part of the process. It was in itty-bitty-itty-itty-bitty-bitty print at the very bottom of the contract.
I'm with you on the frustration part. I can say, from my own personal experience (and a few margaritas) that you will reach a point when you know your novel is done. Don't let your frustration overwhelm you. Just write, revise, write some more, revise some more, and know you have a whole bunch of followers that are right there with you.
S
p.s. Tyrone says to be gentle with him. Oh, and you have to return him at some point. I may need that main character again.
I completely agree with you here. One thing I still have trouble with is continuing the story. I usually have some great ideas for how the story starts out, but at some point along the way, I don't have a clue as to where the story is going to go in the end. I don't have a solution to the problem yet either, other than to just keep plugging away at it. Oh, and thanks for the link.
PS...I awarded you an award today :D
Can't wait to see it up on the side of your blog!!! Let me know if you need me to email the pic!!!
"So what if some of them have margarita drinking gladiators named Tyrone as their main characters"
Ha ha ha ha, Priceless!
It is so nice that there is a wide community out there that shares the same feelings, joys and frustrations. It makes the uphill battle of writing that perfect novel, worth it.
Great post.
Revising is so hard. :-( It's perfect and pretty in my head but when the thing comes out on paper, it's all messy and formless.
Good luck!
Scott - HA HA!! I'm not sure Tyrone will make it back. He had one too may margaritas! LOL Oh...he demands that you quit making him wear tighty whiteys! Is that an anachronism? I always forget about that dang fine print!! DRAT! :-D
Eric - you are welcome for the link. She has another great post today! :-)
Marybeth - thanks for gnominating me! :-)
Quixotic - That Scott has quite the imagination! LOL
Icy - Really hard...and I wine about all the time! LOL
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