Deep in the Abyss of Revisions

Over the past couple weeks, I've been back in the thick of revisions. I commenced the necessary evil with an optimistic attitude boiling in my veins (that totally sounded contradictory, huh?). After a week and knowing I had to add more content in the middle and working on some plot holes my CP pointed out, I felt beyond overwhelmed. With that, I caved and took a day off, crawling in my bed after work and sleeping off my frustrations.

I played the avoidance card. Grrr, Julia. Grrr. Bad me. *slap slap slap* 

I headed home one night with the same plan to sleep. But, I came to the realization that I couldn't hide from my book anymore. If I want it polished like one of those cars that people wax with a diaper, then I have to crack out the whip and edit.

Of course, I stopped off at the nearest Sweet Tooth Fairy and got me some cake bites--six glorious little pieces of scrumptious heaven. I had to have some kind of present to myself while editing. And, ohhh, were they delicious beyond divine.

*Nummy to my tummy*

Anyway, I've had my ups and downs since. But I'm loving what my WIP is becoming--shinny with sparkles like a vampire. LOL I love the feeling of finishing a chapter and knowing it's better than it was before I tackled it head on. It's just a matter of getting me in front of my laptop and doing it. Some tunes and munchies help me through, though. Nice. This weekend will be focused on my book for sure!

How do you handle editing/revisions? Do you love them, hate them, or have a love/hate relationship with them? If you're revising/editing, how's it going?

Writing. Jewels.

Critiques: How Do You Take Them?

I was posed the following question by a friend: At what point do you take writing advice and start completely over or just leave it be?

I sent her this email in reply:

Your question today hit my I'm-passionate-about-this button: Critiques. Ugh! They are horrible, huh? A necessary evil just like editing. I cried after my first three or four crits. Now, I've built up tough skin and crits aren't as bad anymore. Not like the dagger twisting in my heart.

There's a fine line with critiques.

Meaning, they are ABSOLUTELY important to have and to feast upon there wisdom.

But!!!! BUT BUT BUT! Did I emphasize that well enough?

You have to remember that it's YOUR book. Not theirs!!! You are the one who is passionate about the story. Therefore, you can take what they say with a grain of salt or devour it like its the most delicious bowl of ice cream. Ever!

For the most part, my critique partners/betas have been amazing, even if what they told me was hard to take. Ie: One of them told me I had to take out one scene in my book. I fought it. Hard! But in the end, I knew I had to cut it cuz it didn't push the plot forward at all. Yet, some things my most trusted CP's have told me, I didn't use because it didn't fit in with the vision of my book.

Like I said, my books are MY BOOKS. I hone them in through having others read them, but if I don't like their SUGGESTIONS, I don't have to use them.

And having lots of different crits is IMPORTANT BEYOND IMPORTANT. It gives you an idea of what your story really lacks or does well. As in if two, three, four people say you need to work on imagery or showing, not telling then you can be assured it is a good idea to revamp those things. One persons crit isn't the end of the world. If you want to brush thier SUGGESTIONS off your shoulder than DO! That's your right as the author. Although, if you feel they are valid points, then maybe you should go back through the book ONCE YOU ARE DONE and fix it.

That brings me to my next point: If you feel this person's SUGGESTIONS are valid then from the point you're writing now start putting them into action. Does that make sense? Then go back. The first draft of a book is supposed to be rough. It's not supposed to be perfect. Yet! That's what revisions and edits are for. The important thing is to get it on paper in its entirety. If you keep going back, then you are never going to finish it.

Have you noticed, I've been capitalizing suggestions a lot. Why? Because crits are not the god-of-all-knowledge-and-this-is-how-it-HAS-to-be type thing. They are ideas that others feel may make it better. Sometimes they hurt, sometimes they don't. All I can say is my book wouldn't almost be in the hands of publishers if I hadn't bit the bullet and embraced them. And even with an agent, I've had to take her advice--even had to write a new ending (of which I LOVE LOVE LOVE).

The End.

So what are your thoughts or advice about critiques?

Writing. Jewels.

Wheel of Fortunate Editing

Yesterday, I watched an episode of Wheel of Fortune. Yes, Wheel of Fortune, you read correctly. One of the contestants solved the puzzle a bit prematurely. The only problem was he didn’t know the last word.

As I watched the sad moment, I couldn’t help but think about editing. I’m about to start that blessed part of writing—cleaning up the first draft. Tonight will commence this stage of my WIP. This element of writing definitely is not my favorite. I enjoy the creative process of writing the most—piecing together a story from start to finish. But, ya know, unless if you are a writing prodigy (and really, could there be a person like that *laughs*) then it’s a necessary evil.

As I compare this to Wheel of Fortune, it shows the rough draft may need that extra word(s), maybe even lose a bunch of words in order to make it complete—a masterpiece. Thus, my friends, editing is needed.

I’m going to try to loveth to deatheth the experience to make my book as good as it can be before I hand it off to CP’s and betas. One thing that has helped me, though, is I’ve had people critiquing it while I’ve been writing. I’ve been able to gauge it as I go. I knew what it lacked and what was super good about it.

I hope this technique will make sure I don’t have to go through it as many times as I did with Félicité Found, my first book. Yet, with that book, I learned a lot to make my WIP easier to type out.

Anyway, please cheer me on during my first edit of ???. I’m so not giving away the name of this book . . . yet. I’ll leave you in suspense. But I’m going to announce to the blogosphere that I plan on finishing this edit in two weeks. At that time, I will let you know my success in polishing my lovely book.

What's your favorite part of writing? Is it the initial writing, editing, or seeing the piece complete? Maybe it’s a mixture or all stages.

Writing. Jewels. Out.

You and only YOU!

I received some valuable advice a while ago that has stuck with me. It is . . .

The only person who can sell your book is you!

I’ve taken that suggestion very seriously. If I want be published, then I’VE got to put in the effort. No one else can do it. Of course an agent and/or publisher are helpful. But, even then I plan on working my butt off.

Here are some tips I thought of that might help you sell your book:

Write it. How much more plain can it be. Yep, you gotta put in the time, if you wanna make the dime. Ok, lame rhyme, I know.

Edit, edit some more, then edit a whole lot more. Your book has to shine, and revisions are the way to achieve that lofty goal. This also includes having critique partners and beta writers. They definitely will catch things that you didn’t—that will make it tons better. Writing a story takes a lot of time, but it’s worth it.

I’ve said this multiple times, but I’m going to say it again. Social network. It will get your name out there, especially if you aren’t published yet. I use Twitter and my blog. I’ve found much success using these platforms.

Have a great network of supportive writing friends. Writing and querying can take a toll on an author. Keep in touch with these people. They’re going through the same rollercoaster ride as you are. They can empathize with you. And likewise, you will help them.

Take time away from your manuscript. Some detachment can result in fresh eyes. I’ve found that distancing myself away from my book has helped me notice typos or parts that can be fixed, things I didn’t see before. This is a great tool.

Keep on querying. Don’t let the rejections overcome your desire to have a published book—your book. Yes, you can own the gloomy feelings for a while, but then pick yourself up. I’ve spent many an evening laying on the couch super depressed, not wanting to do anything else but watch T.V. But I got over it. Remember: rejections are a part of the journey to sell your book.

I hope these tips have been helpful. The only person who can sell your book is definitely YOU!

What do you suggest doing in regards to this subject?

An Editing Blunder

I would have been completely done with another edit last night, but out of a tiny (well, let's say stupid) mistake on my part, I have to go through the the first 22 chapters of my book. Again. Pft. Darn it. But hey it can always make it better. I'm not going to go into the details of my editing blunder, but suffice it to say, it was dumb. 

I was really hoping to be ahead of schedule for querying, however, it's held off till tomorrow. My actual goal was to be hunting for an agent by August 1, so I am still well ahead of  it, only by a few days. 

Needing to go through so many pages of my book again is overwhelming, especially when I thought I was so close. As I finished up some chapters last night, I pretty much wanted to throw my ms out the window and just go to bed. And the thing is I very well could just leave it as is, but I'm too much of a perfectionist to surrender to laziness. I'm going to hunker down and conquer my beautiful beast today. 

It can be done! And I will love it all the more for the extra time spent working through its pages.

PS: I will be sharing a little secret or surprise with you on my Friday blog post. You'll want to stop by. Hint Hint! Nudge Nudge!

All Sorts of Busy

I want to apologize for the brief nature of this post. This week is turning out to be rather busy for me. My day job is crazy--I like it, though! And I've started another edit--the edit that will launch me to query-dome. 

This edit is freaking me out because of the fact that I'm planning on actually querying my manuscript out to agents once I'm done re-evaluating the story I've patiently worked on for so long. 

Have you ever felt like this? 

Gah! What I've wanted to do for so long is now upon me. But I'm going to do my best to make my story as beautiful as I can and hope for the best. Bring on the querying. Bring on the offers. No, really! Bring on the offers. Haha

Thanks for supporting my blog, my lovely followers. I hope you have a great week. I'll be back on Friday with something funner than this to feast your eyes upon.

Editing—The Necessary Evil

I’m an author who loves the creative process of writing. What I don’t care much for is editing. Unless you are the god of all writing—a prodigy, without editing, a story will belly-flop. I was going to say “suck.” But. I’m not that rude.

Writers go through countless edits—as I’m realizing more and more everyday—so it should be FUN! Right?

Everyone say this one word like you really mean it: “Yes!”

Here are some ways I think can make this daunting task more exciting:

• Change the font, size, or even color of the type. Doing this tricks the mind that you’re reading something different—not the story you’ve slaved over for countless months.

• Listen to music. I’ve recaptured my writing muse just though the strumming of a guitar or the beat of the drums. Or plug into some ambient music; perhaps, ocean water sloshing to an island’s sandy shore.

• Change your writing environment. Maybe go to the local library or cool hangout like Starbucks. Get out of your office for a while. Write at the kitchen table, outside, or in the bathroom if you have to, not that I have. Uh… Really!

• Print your manuscript. It can help you to catch things you wouldn’t on a computer screen. Plus, it’ll get you away from your computer for a while.

• Save your book by chapter. Right now, my book is saved in a continuous document. It dawned on me to save each chapter by itself, and put them in one folder. This will keep your eyes from drifting to the page count. For example, if I’m only on page 67 out of 248, I could get discouraged. Trick your mind to think you’ve made progress with little chunks of your book, not all of it as a whole.

• Reward yourself with something dang awesome when you finish your edit. Maybe go to a movie with friends, get a massage, a trip to Vegas, eat at your favorite restaurant, or spend a day out in the sun reading a book.

• Do some yoga poses or jumping jacks in between chapters to loosen up those tight muscles. It’ll get the blood flowing. Your creative process moving again.

• Read your manuscript out loud in a foreign accent. Ok, that might not work to your advantage, but it sure sounds fun, huh?

I’m going to open this up to you! What are ways you get through the tedium of editing? Be honest. The quirkier the better!

PS: Don't forget to enter my book giveaway. I'm giving away Imaginary Girls and Hereafter. Go here to enter!

Writer's Crash

For the last week or so I've been editing. Outside of work, it was really the only thing I spent my time doing other than sleep--I love my sleep. My zone consisted of my laptop, iPod, some treats, water, and me. All else pretty much fell to the back burner. Social life--what's that? Seriously. 

As you read on my last post, I finished an edit. Clearly that made me way happy. The moment I finished, I felt like my life was pointless, I felt empty, and a sense of doom seeped into my skin. Uh, that ended the very next day. I started beta-reading for fellow tweep. Fun experience, for sure. 

Yesterday, though, as I drove home from work, my body fought me, saying, "You need a break, girl!" Pulling off to my local grocery store, I hit up the Redbox, rented "The Tourist" (been wanting to see that since it came out), and went home. Laying down on the couch with comfy pj's and my favorite blanket, I watched the movie without feeling that much guilt. I crashed. Nope, did nothing to do with writing. 

Ok, I lie, after the movie ended, it was way too early to go to bed, so I dipped back into reading Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick. After about 50 pages and not wanting to stop reading, I went to bed. 

After such a whirlwind editing/revising week, I thought I deserved a break from the happy craziness of writing. 


How about you? Do you give yourself a wee break after a maddening writing binge? Do you crawl up in a ball and watch a movie, or go shopping? Or am I totally alone on this needing a short break? Please, tell me I'm not. haha

Buckets Full of News

Has anyone ever seen the British comedy, "Keeping Up Appearances?" If not you totally should. The title of today's blog has the word "bucket" in it. Made me think of that show. Although, you need to pronounce it "bouquet."

Don't know where that little side note came from. Must be from being tired this morning or from having cold hands. Your guess is as good as mine. Am I making any sense? Nope.

Well, some news:

I finished another edit last night. Wahoo! After a long socially deprived and being glued to my laptop and iPod week, it's done. Gah! With the help of my wonderful critique partner, Trish Wolfe, she's helped me to hone it in to something better. Sigh. I'm eternally indebted to her blessed little heart. I've got to give props to my friend Rob for editing it, too! Thanks for your wisdom! Soon I'll have a few people beta it to see if it can get any better. Seriously, how could it get any better? Just kidding. It can totally improve more.

I hope to be querying for an agent in a month. That's just the craziest thing. EVER! I never, ever thought I'd get to this point and I'm almost there. Totally at the freaking out stage of writing.

My pink cell phone finally kicked the can. The battery just couldn't cut it anymore. I was too cheap to buy a new battery for the time being. Gonna get an iPhone4 later on this month, so I very well couldn't get a new battery when I was so close to finishing a contract with my current cell phone provider. I'm settling for an old phone of mine. It's so ghetto, but it works. haha

My ten month old niece walked for the first time the other day. It was the cutest thing in the whole world. Hey, but I'm way biased.

There's really nothing else, other than I'm gonna be reading lots over the next couple days because I can. Oh, the lovely joy that comes from reading.

What news do you have to share? Comment and then we can all revel in each others news. :D

Writing Revival

Two weeks ago, I was on fire—editing-wise. Last week, I was in a rut—writing-wise. Sometimes as a writer, you get burned out; you need a break. I’m on a break—a sabbatical from writing. I feel a little stupid doing this right now when I promised myself I would get through another edit by the end of December. I should be able to stay strong to my goals; but alas, I need a vacation away from my daunting manuscript, even if it just for a week of two. But the break is not necessarily a break from writing; it is a period of time to learn more about writing. I want to hone in my skills of writing, so I can revitalize myself out of my I-am-the-worst-writer-in-the-world rut. I’ll be better equipped to write and edit. In order to accomplish my said sabbatical from writing, I purchased two books to educate me further in the writing craft.

Book #1 – “Self-Editing for Fiction Writers: How to Edit Yourself into Print” by Renni Browne and Dave King (no relation to me)

Book #2 – “38 Most Common Fiction Writing Mistakes: (And How to Avoid Them)” by Jack M. Brickham

I’ve read almost half of Book #1. It has opened my eyes to ingenious ways to polish my manuscript. Book #2 is on its way snail-mail, but I am eager to lay my hands on it, mark it up, and apply what I learn from it to my editing and future writing.
Anyway, writing is so not easy. Sometimes you need to take a break to get through it. And then you come back with the fire burning—really bright—again. Perhaps, I'll make my goal to finish another edit by the end of the year. Maybe I won’t. But at least with this little writing revival, I'll come back with more enthusiasm to write.

Polished Perfection, Soon...

I captured a pretty photo of Mount Timpanogos in Utah on my way to work the other morning. Snow is here my friends. Thought I would share it with you. Enjoy! Now on to my recent thoughts about writing…
I’ve been mad about editing the past week, can’t get enough of it; although, I wish I had more time for it. I love how editing takes something good and forms it into something more pliable, more sensical (Is that even a word? I like it!). It makes it beautiful. Obviously it isn’t spectacular yet, but it can only sore to a polished perfection. Something important I’ve learned lately, critiques are the only way to improve your writing. Ever since I’ve had a couple people edit my manuscript, it’s helped me to see how I can improve as a writer. Absorbing the advice, I see more clearly how to sculpt my novel as I edit. Over the past months, I’ve been picking apart what other authors do in their work. This exercise has helped me improve my own writing, because novels, in a way, are the blueprints to writing. I see what accomplished authors have done, how they write, or how they develop the plot/characters; and I grasp a better understanding of writing. It sometimes distracts from reading, because instead of devouring the story, I'm devouring the writing. For example, if you want to learn more about science, you ask a scientist. If you want to know more about writing, you ask an author. If there's any advice I, an aspiring writer, can offer others, it’s to have others critique your work. It's the only way to hone in your writing skills. I know 20 years from now, I’ll still be learning how to be a better writer. I hope with asking others for help, and learning from experience, I will improve all the time.

Conquering the Blessed Beast

Just an update on my last post. . . I said that I was going through a “Revising a Chapter in my Novel War”. Well, I conquered the blessed beast. It bent to my will. Perhaps, I bent to its will (Hmm, a thought to ponder. Maybe I was getting in its way). Sometimes you need to step away from a difficult revision, come back later, and then typically it will come together beautifully and better than it would have been otherwise. I love it when that happens. I win! I win! I win! Well, I won nothing but the reassurance that a chapter is better than it was, and I can move on to the next chapter.
So, I feel like I have so little time to devote to editing with working full-time and taking a class. I can’t wait to be out of the class, I’ll have more time to devote to editing. Praise the day when I'm done with class. French is way tough (ie: I despise masculine and feminine words). Just beam the language into my mind, please (said with a pouty-puppy-dog-you-can’t-deny-my-wish-face). I audited French because my novel is set in Paris. I thought it would be helpful for the writing process. It has been helpful, but honestly, I’m so done with school. I have my degree and that is so enough for me. What the devil was I thinking taking a class again? Remind me never to do that to myself again. NEVER!

Weekend Work, Isn't that Contradictory?

Today has officially been too exhausting. Started off the day feeding the neighbor's dogs (I have been dog sitting for the last few days), getting a really intense massage (I almost cried), helped clean a building, mowed up the leaves in my parents yard because my dad is out-of-town, played with the said dogs for a bit (oh, how do I love dogs, let me count the ways. JK), did my laundry, and ordered some new tires for my car so I don't die on the snowy and icy roads this winter (tires won't be in until Tuesday or Wednesday). Wow, that was a ridiculously long sentence. Need to go to the store soon and just maybe take a wee nap. This evening is devoted completely to editing. I really tried to edit last night, but my mom and I started watching a movie, and editing flew right out the window. We watched "Trapped in Paradise." Such a roll on the floor and bring me to tears funny movie. How could I pay attention to anything else? Really. Plus, I am in a pickle. The part of my novel I'm revising is just fighting with me. It just does not want to polish. Don't know what to do with it. I will force it to comply though. It has to bend to my will! Wish me luck. Anyway, I hope that everyone is having a splendid autumnal weekend. It sure is pretty outside with the leaves changing colors. Ciao!

First Edit - Check

Done and Done! That is all I can say about the first edit. Another one to go with some things I want to change too. Hopefully this edit will take a little less time. Everyone please send me the motivation vibes! It is crazy how unmotivated one can be to edit. I guess that is what you get for being a perfectionist. :)

Editing with Icecream

The other night I tried to eat a bowl of Cookies and Cream ice cream (my fav) while editing my book. Not the best of ideas. First of all, I was distracted from editing because of the tasty, sweet goodness. Secondly, it got all over my shirt because I wasn't paying attention to the spoon dripping the tasty, sweet goodness onto my shirt. And thirdly, it was hard to read aloud to get a good edit of the book. Word to the wise, don't eat ice cream while editing. hehe. I love myself!

Rough Draft Done... Editing Process Here!

Last week I finished the rough draft. That pretty much was a surreal experience for me. I did not ever think I would get that far with the book and what do you know, I did! It was five months in the works. I am now on to editing. It is turning out to be a great experience. I am tweaking it and trying my hardest to make it make sense! I hope that it develops into something even more fabulous than it already is! Wish me luck! I wonder though how long this is going to take me? Yikes! I should make a goal! That is how I got the rough draft done so a goal for the first editing should make me very motivated! What should the date be? I will have to think it over!