I've had to rethink my Sven goals just a little. I didn't realize that revising the first book would take as much time as it has, so I'm not actively working on the next WIP.
There seems to be mass confusion with the GH requirements. Some folks say to worry about the 55 page entry only, because if you make it to the finals and your book is requested, they'll give you a chance to provide an updated copy.
Others say the book should be revised all the way through and as polished as you can make it. I guess I'm erring on the side of caution, but it's making me quite unhappy to work on this thing non stop. The more I revise, the more I see what I could change to be even better.
And I know that's a trap.
True story: when I was about 6, I had a playmate who was four years older. She had the patience of Job, because I remember one day wanting to play Barbies. I got Barbie and she got Ken. And I made her reenact the “meet” so many times it wasn't funny. I came up with all sorts of scenarios, including casting Barbie as Jeannie and Ken as Tony Nelson (I Dream of Jeannie for you whippersnappers). I was never satisfied, and we replayed the meet over and over. Finally, I think she gave up.
But as I revise, I remember my 6yr old perfectionist. And I tell her we don't have time to rewrite this story in every possible incarnation she can imagine.
How do you revise? Do you have a limit, say two times through, or do you revise until you're satisfied? How do you resist the perfectionist inside (if you have one)?
Lynn, I pretty much revise as I go, if that makes sense. I always begin the morning by going over what I did the day before and making sure that I like it. Naturally, there are days that all I do is tweak, but by the end of the book, I think it’s pretty tight. I’m weird that way, though. I *can’t* move forward until I know it’s right.
Good luck!
Rhonda, it’s just not fair! You are gorgeous, hilarious, have cool leopard jammies, and you write a tight first draft? Sheesh. 🙂
I always want to change things. It’s the 6 yr old perfectionist. In fact, my CP pointed out that I fuss with the beginning quite a lot. I guess I should have known I would. 🙂
Ummm… gosh I am happy if the first draft doesn’t have to be changed a lot. 🙂
I quit doing tightening because I couldn’t get past five chapters. I now tighten afterwards.
Lynn,
Trust me. You will not be able to revise your book once you send it in. This nonsense happens every year. A few people (wishful thinking) put this stuff out here and the controversy starts.
Once you send your book in, that’s it. The editor judges read the partial, and if they want to read more, they get the rest from the copy you sent to National. Nobody is given a second chance to revise. Lord, how I wish it were so, but it’s not. What you send in is what is judged.
As for my revising methods, I don’t think you want to know. Then again, you probably already do. 🙂
Cyn, it’s easy to get bogged down in tightening and revising while writing, but it’s not the best way to work for me. I’ve finally realized that, for me, Stephen King is right. You have to write it through to the end, then come back and rewrite. I have no problem throwing out words and replacing them. I just wish I knew if my instincts were correct. 🙂
Tanya, I’m working on getting the entire mss right. *sigh* And it’s wearing me out. I have the inlaws arriving on Monday. They’ll be here for a week. But, I’m just going to have to leave them watching TV while I head for my office and work during the day. 🙂
And I STILL have to write the freaking synopsis. I am very thankful I have you looking at it for me, though, because I think yours are excellent. 🙂
Lynn,
I know how you feel. I did the same thing when I entered. I even went away for the weekend BY MYSELF to a local hotel courtesy of DH just so I could write. I got a lot done too.
I remember that pressure. I just wish I had waited to enter the following year, but coulda woulda shoulda’s not doing me any good now.
Just take a deep breath and keep your nose to the grindstone. Send me what you can when you’re ready. BTW, Cece helped get my synop in order. I suck at writing them.