revise

My Book: Done (?)

Keeping to my promise, I finished the sixth round of editing/revising on my book and I’m super stoked about it! Now, I have to let it sit for a few days before combing over it once more (plus, waiting for one of my initial reader’s to give feedback on how I used their feedback).

I managed to do five chapters last night which left me with three to do today. The need to finish kept me working on it and it is going to be nice to actually relax today (as best as I can). Now, is it actually done? Probably not. I don’t think books are every really finished, we just hit a point where we’re not sure if we’re helping or hurting our own creation.

So for now, I’m going to enjoy feeling I’ve finished it and maybe treat myself to a foot soak, or CANDY! Who knows?

The energy I’m feeling can only lead to good things right now. Kind of like the Felix Felicis poition in the Harry Potter series (yes, I’m a Potter nerd, deal with it!).

I’m going to prep some query letters since I have researched literary agents a few dozen times now (or so it feels). Double checking since it has been a few months wouldn’t be a bad idea though so… I’ll be doing that, too.

Anyways, that’s my update for the day! Keep creating your heart’s desire, my friends!

Don’t be seduced into thinking that that which does not make a profit is without value.

~ Arthur Miller

 

P.S. If any of you successful writers have published a book, give a girl some tips, please! Be it on self-publishing or the ‘traditional’ route, I’d love the insight on the obstacles or victories you had. Thanks in advance!

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Finding, Removing, Replacing Words

It is a daunting task to be complete master over your work. Both its creator and editor and in some ways, its ultimate judge. We are our worst critics and this goes to whatever we produce.

The trick? Don’t feed that voice too much, because it will keep you frozen and you won’t move forward. It makes you think avoiding doing anything is the best choice and to follow the herd instead of yourself.

But tell the mother *&%$&* to shut up! Do what you need to do. At the end of the day, there is always that process of editing, erasing, replacing words, lines, colours. If it isn’t quite right, because YOU think so, you can fix that (or recruit someone to help if needs be).

It’s tedious, but I like finding, removing, and replacing words in my book. It adds, it changes, it evolves as a result of this process. The same way a painter, a sketcher, or a knitter build in layers, so too must a writer.

First, it starts with creation. Get it on a page, good or bad. It may feel like shit at points, but it is better to work with something than nothing. Kind of like trying to make a baked potato, but without heat. You get it on a page and then you apply heat to cook in the form of editing, revising, rereading (out loud to test flow). You get feedback and you use it grow your book, mold it into the final product.

And today that is what I have been doing (despite a late start and seemingly complete disregard for my self-created schedule). I am apply some more heat to my book by finding new words (creating new details, sentences, etc), and removing words that don’t work or do what I need them to do. The words I remove are sometimes replaced which I have a lot of fun with (just don’t try and brainstorm with me or I’ll lose the thread!).

I have only gotten two chapters done in this stage of cooking today, but I’m hoping to get five more done before I gotta make dinner and do laundry (the fun stuff, right?). I had to add some content, because of one of the changes and I enjoyed it.

Got my tunes going, my bottle of water in reach, and fingers not yet tired from scrolling/typing!

Hope today is full of productivity (if you want it to be)!

 

I don’t sit there waiting for that perfect, beautiful sentence, because I know I’m going to sit there forever. So, as I tell students -start out by tripping, why don’t you? Then get up and fall over again. Just as long as you go. ~ Kathryn Harrison

 

P.S. New song find of the day on Spotify for me:

Down by the Water by Amy Macdonald

Make It Shiny!

Today’s been great for my writing so far. I woke up at 5am (later then I wanted, but hey! I got up) and managed to get in on my book almost immediately. I have managed to go through 10 chapters so far and have a couple hours left before Andrew gets home.

That may seem a lot, but it is my sixth edit and so I think it moves a bit faster. However I have hit a nitty, gritty section where my one character is being moved from his current position to a new one. It is based on feedback, but I think it will add another layer to the story since he will be going through a unique set up challenges.

Spotify is my best friend when it comes to doing this and keeps me focused. I play it on my cellphone on a fairly low volume and even my favourite songs don’t distract me as much! I’m loving making progress with the aid. (I recently read classical music is great for this purpose and might be more useful, but I haven’t tried yet).

As it stands I am hoping to finish this round of work on my book by Sunday (we’ll see since there is some house stuff I want to tackle, too). I will go through it probably another time or two to polish, spit, and shine the newer chapter editions. It will also help me catch any fact issues or inconsistencies I may have created. Fingers crossed that is not the case though!

Anyways, I better get back to it while my need to work still needs itching! Fight for your dreams and your sanity, my friends!

 

Work finally begins when the fear of doing nothing exceeds the fear of doing it badly.

~ Alain de Botton

 

P.S. some of my favourite songs to have playing while I put the hours into my book:

Galway Girl by Ed Sheeran

Human by Rag’n’Bone Man

No Roots by Alice Merton

Reminding Me by Shawn Hook, Vanessa Hudgens

No Vacancy by One Republic

Wolves by Selena Gomez and Marshmello

Your Song by Rita Ora

That’s What You Get by Paramore

Llama In My Living Room by AronChupa, Little Sis Nora (It is about what it say!)

Tell Me You Love Me by Demi Lovato

Take Me To Church by Hozier (I always have to sing this one! Love the phrasing!)

 

Back To My Normal, almost

Bed was comfortable this morning. I cocooned myself in the blanket, my dogs were cuddled in, but I managed to pull myself from it to start the day.

I definitely have more energy (after playing some Hyrule Warriors), and I managed to shovel our driveway. Even my neighbour (who called the cops on us about snow removal) didn’t trigger me when she came outside while I was still out there. In fact, had we made eye contact, I probably would have given her a genuine smile and wave. I do feel she was trying to get a reaction from me, but I’m proud for not letting her bug me.

To accomplish that, I have started saying “She doesn’t matter” when I walk past the windows that face her house or have a thought about her. I only started yesterday, but it seems to be working!

Anyways, I am hoping to actually revise my book a little bit more tomorrow with this newfound energy. Fingers crossed it lasts! Just have to remind myself that this emotional state is temporary (though it never feels it when you’re in it), and to do what I can. I push myself when I need to, but I try to be gentle, too.

Maybe I’ll even fold clothes later today?