Monday, March 19, 2012

Nearing the Finish Line


A writer is a person for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people. – Thomas Mann
That’s what my revision process feels like. One tweak affects another and so on. It's not a race, but I have to keep working to get where I want it to be. (Imagine that!)
I’ve been trying to make my full manuscript, The Seventh City, the same quality as my award-winning first chapter and it’s taking FOREVER. But it’s all good. Wouldn’t want it to be anything but my best. “My best” has changed since a year ago as I have learned more and am trying to execute and implement those skills.
I actually like revising, but it does take me a long time. The only difficult part is knowing every place that need edits. Some of these are obvious. Some are discovered with a good comb-through. There are lists and helps to revising. Beside what I find on my own, I rely on my critique group. They’ve been invaluable.
This is their second time reading through my story and they’ve had some great comments and suggestions for a few changes that make the story stronger. But since they only see ten pages nearly every week, the process is slow. I’m a few chapters ahead of them and my goal is to finish by the end of the month. Then I’ll turn it over to some beta readers while I work on my nonfiction Bishop’s Stories. Getting so close I can taste it!
That’s what’s going on in my little corner of the universe. What’s up in your writing world?

3 comments:

Tamara said...

I can so relate,renae!

Jessica L. Celaya said...

Oh revisions. They can be hard. It's cool that you are making progress though.

Unknown said...

Yes, it's something we all gotta go through. Books wouldn't be better without it. Thanks for visiting, Tamara and Jessica.