I've been working on my line edits for Deviant and gaining further evidence of my insanity. :)
Those of you who've followed this blog over the years (we have our SIXTH anniversary for Drunk Writer Talk this summer, I think...) Anyway, you may have heard me say before that editing and polishing the words is one of my favorite parts of the writing process. Second only to first drafting when (if) the words and ideas are flowing out of my fingers like magic.
But I'm learning that polishing/fine tuning can be the most angst ridden part, too. Yes, I do already have two books in print, but they were done on a write-for-hire basis, and very quickly and I didn't feel as if I really had final say over the text, even though my name is on the covers.
This new book... This is mine. This is a big deal. This is a book that (I hope) more people will read. This is a book that (I hope) more people will review.
And I have been making myself crazy obsessing over the words.
Does anyone else get like this?
6 comments:
Maureen, I'm doing major revisions for my September book and I am the most angst ridden writer when revising. Not just word choice, but scenes and forward movement and - OMG DOES THIS EVEN MAKE SENSE???? I know the book will be better in the end, but still...
I'm glad I'm not alone, Karen. :)
Each step forward comes with initial elation and then huge waves of anxiety and angst. It's the nature of the beast.
You have what it takes. You can do this. Karen is right. This will make the book even better.
Remember to breathe.
I too share the angst. When I'm writing I typically write write 5 pages in an hour.
When revising - I find I can spend an hour on 3 sentences.
Then it gets to that point where I just have to let it go.
Maureen needs to drink away her obsession:)
I'm with Sinead - drink and then just send it off...i'll help with the drinking...
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