The first Wednesday of every month is IWSG, a bloghop hosted by the amazing Alex J. Cavenaugh to encourage and inspire each other and a safe place to admit our writing doubts.
I drafted another book (yay, right?) But when I think about revising said first draft, I act like a groundhog seeing his shadow and jump back into my hole (to bad it's not my writing cave.)
I know I need to take the Nike swoosh to heart and JUST DO IT, push forward, have courage that it won't be as bad as I think, that I'll find a storyline worth keeping; but so far, my pep talks aren't working. Still, now that I'm agented I feel like I need to have something to show for myself. I keep imagining this conversation:
Agent: What have you done since we finished LOVESENSE revisions?
Me: Um, I drafted that book idea we talked about. (and then hid from it)
Agent: Can I read it?
Me: *throws book down the deepest abyss I can find* It's not quite ready yet.
So if you have a moment, tell me to do it. Punxsutawney Phil wasn't afraid of his shadow this year. Maybe I shouldn't be afraid of mine either.
Do it! Seriously, if you want to I'll email you everyday and tell you that you need to get on it. I'm ruthless, so if you're looking for a slave driver, you've found one!
ReplyDeleteI might have to take you up on this. I won't even tell you how long I've been "letting it sit" so that I can "see" my work more objectively.
DeleteThe fear of being a One Hit Wonder transcends beyond musicians. Apparently, you've done this well enough to land an agent. You can do it again!
ReplyDeleteBreak that first draft down into small, more digestible chunks and have at it. Maybe the first round of revisions can focus on pacing or vanquishing weak words or at the very least, grammar.
And by the way, congrats on getting the first draft down. That's a feat in its own right. :-)
Thanks Natasha. I do need to look at it in smaller pieces. Yes, I have a fear of being a One Hit Wonder. Thanks for commenting and the follow:)
DeleteYou revise it just like you eat an elephant. One bite at a time.
ReplyDeleteThat metaphor doesn't quite work. Maybe you revise one word at a time? One page at a time.
And like Natasha said, a first draft is no small feat.
Thanks Emily! One bite, one word, one page. I can do this. I can do this. I hope:)
DeleteDon't feel bad about stepping away for a bit if you need to. There's no rush. But I have faith in you and your writing...I can't imagine anything you write being terrible.
ReplyDeleteSo sweet, I wish it were true. If it's not as horrid as I imagine I'll get thru it. Thanks Ilima!
DeleteFunny!
ReplyDeleteBy the time I finish a first draft, I'm usually all revved up to start the second draft. I can hardly hold myself back a week to think it over.
First drafts are the worst for me, but once I finish one, I know what story I wanted to write all along and can't wait to whip it into shape!
What about your manuscript scares you?
Do it! Have faith in yourself, Robin! But then again, don't rush it and take your time. Good luck! :)
ReplyDeleteI can relate but believe me, when you finally do it you'll find so liberated! Best of luck!
ReplyDeleteAre you an Adam Sandler fan? "You can do it!" <---that was said in a terrible fake accent. Truly, though, it will feel so good to get in there and hit that manuscript. You'll never regret jumping back in there, but you might regret it if you don't.
ReplyDeleteShannon at The Warrior Muse
In the deepest abyss? Then you'll have to crawl all the way down there and get it. You don't want to do that, trust me. :)
ReplyDeleteGet to it! Your characters will love you for it, your agent will love you for it, and YOU'LL love you for it!
I don't think you should push yourself too hard. Whenever I can't seem to write, it's because I don't really have the *right* idea for it. Sometimes great ideas take a while to percolate. I'm sure you'll come up with ideas and a plan and start revising soon. :-)
ReplyDeleteOh dear I know just what you mean. The 'what the heck did I think i was doing by trying to write this' syndrome. lol
ReplyDeleteI'll be where you are in the coming months. I'm just now beginning to outline and worldbuild a story that is gonna suck me dry and leave me questioning who the heck i thought i was. But these are the things that make us better stronger writers.
Take some deep breaths, recharge your muse, and take it one step at a time. You can do it. You're a writer. :D
I'm with the others, break this down into little pieces, little revision chunks, little successes you can say you did and congratulate yourself. I have COMPLETE faith in you!
ReplyDeleteI'm gonna take a infamous line from three movie water boy....YOU CAN DO IT!
ReplyDelete