Need Moral Support

wysewomon · Feb 18, 2010

So, I wrote this novel. I thought it was finished.

I left it on the shelf for a while. I wasn't writing due to illness and other life issues.

Now I'm looking at it again and I think it's not as finished as I had first thought. At the risk of sounding egotistical, all the writing is good, but there's too much that doesn't advance the plot. It's also too long. I probably need to cut--or attempt to cut--16-20k words.

I have it out to a couple of beta readers now. I'm trying to hold off doing anything until I hear from them but it's hard. I have a tendency to rush in where angels fear to tread, then get cold feet and rush back out. I want to just start hacking and slashing.

It's also hard to pick this up again without getting into the "I suck" space.

Pats on the back and such would be appreciated.

Thanks

WW

Snowstorm · Feb 18, 2010

There's nothing wrong with thinking--realistically--that you're writing good. If your piece is with a couple beta readers, I recommend waiting until they're done. I've edited some pieces for others and it REALLY ticks me off when I mention a problem I've found and they say, "Oh, I fixed that already." Gee, thanks for wasting my time!

It's a good time to work on other things and give your mind a rest with this piece. Wait until you hear back.

Hang in there!

Chris P · Feb 18, 2010

*pats your back*

Wait for the betas. Whatever input they have will give you a clearer idea of what needs to be changed. But if you think something is too wordy, they probably will too. Writing too much seems to be a common mistake of new writers, so you can see your recognition of it as evidence that you are getting better at writing. Trust your instincts. I had to cut a scene one of my betas loved because it was 3000 words that didn't need to be said.

Namatu · Feb 18, 2010

Waiting for betas doesn't mean you can't go through the manuscript and make notes of what you want to do. Then you can see if it jibes with their feedback.

No reason to feel bad at all. You finished - awesome! You waited (for whatever reason) - also awesome because it's given you some good perspective. And you obviously learned because you're identifying areas where you novel can be strengthened. None of this is bad. You probably needed those scenes originally, for yourself more than for the reader. They're exercises. Nothing wrong with that.

You're doing the right thing, heading in the right direction. This is all good stuff!

shaldna · Feb 18, 2010

Write something else before you stew in your own funk.

job · Feb 18, 2010

wysewomon said:
there's too much that doesn't advance the plot. It's also too long. I probably need to cut--or attempt to cut--16-20k words.

You get to think your work sucks. Lots of good writers think their work sucks.

But you have to go beyond this feeling and sit down and make it better.

You have to keep working even when you're convinced nothing you do will ever come out right and the suckage of the manuscript just gets worse and worse and it is so apparent to all the world that pretty soon men in black suits are going to knock at your door and take you computer away.

Pick a nice quiet room in your house and go in there and say, "I hate it I hate it it's a piece of rubbish and it's never going to be any good and it is just a huge pile of crap!" to the walls and maybe pound on them a little.

Now, you've got that out of your system. Go fix yourself some peppermint tea and get back to work.

This is called artistic discontent or something.

Oh. Don't wait for the betas. Nobody else is going to fix your manuscript. You have to do it yourself.

RJK · Feb 18, 2010

I don't know how good your betas are, or how long they'll take, but if they are worth waiting for, do so.
As far as fear of destroying your novel. keep an archived copy of the first draft. Who knows, it may be worth millions some day.
I'd make notes of the changes you think you want to make (review comments in Word are great for this), then you won't forget them when you begin to edit.
If you finish the comments and the beta reviews aren't back, start something new, while gently prodding the beta readers.

Kweei · Feb 18, 2010

There's nothing egotistical about thinking your writing is good. I think most of us hit highs and lows when it comes to our writing. I swear it's like being bipolar.

But at least you've recognized it needs work. And that already distinguishes you among many others.

Get cracking at areas you believe need help. When the betas get back to you, check to see what they have to say, but remember to only take to heart what will help the story.

In the end, it's all in your hands. Good luck

Monkey · Feb 18, 2010

Sounds like you're doing great.

*Pats on back*

After you finish a manuscript, you should take a little time away from it and read it again, for just the reason that you've discovered. It doesn't make you any less of a writer, for damn sure.

Wait for the betas, out of courtesy to them. Make notes if you want. And by all means, start a new book.

Now. Get off AW and go start a new book. I COMMAND YOU! Muwhahahahaha*cough*

Sorry. I forgot that the flying monkeys are on vacation this week and I can't actually command anyone. But next week, watch out!

wysewomon · Feb 18, 2010

Thanks, all!

Already working on a new novel, so I'm not stewing too much.

And I keep multiple copies of everything. I think I have five different version of this novel on my computer, as well as backed up in various places.

Again, thanks. It's really good to "talk" to others who know the process.

WW

shaldna · Feb 18, 2010

wysewomon said:
And I keep multiple copies of everything.

that is like the third writers commandanment. straight after read and write is duplicate copy

TheTinCat · Feb 18, 2010

It happens to me too - every time. I finish a book, leave it for a while, come back to and almost have a heart attack from the chock that this one wasn't perfect either!

Then I think I suck. I feel like a fraud for not being able to finish a perfect book in one go. I become convinced that this is the manuscript that will finally prove to everyone that I really can't write, and that they never, ever should have thrown money down the literary pit that is I in the first place. And then of course I'll have to wait tables for the rest of my life, because somehow this revelation of my crappy writing will also void my university degree.

In other words, major panic attack. Every time.

Then it passes, and I start rewriting. When I'm done I put it away, come back to it a while later and almost have a heart attack because ... well, you catch my drift.

Don't sweat it. And if you think the writing is good even after realizing that the book isn't perfect, then it probably is. Just have fun with it.

Caitlin Black · Feb 18, 2010

Go get 'em tiger! (and other adulations)

FJAR0009 · Feb 18, 2010

Cliff Face said:
Go get 'em tiger! (and other adulations)

In light of recent events, NO.

But yes, go rock the writing! :hooray:

ishtar'sgate · Feb 18, 2010

wysewomon said:
I have it out to a couple of beta readers now. I'm trying to hold off doing anything until I hear from them but it's hard. I have a tendency to rush in where angels fear to tread, then get cold feet and rush back out. I want to just start hacking and slashing.

Why wait? If you already have a pretty good idea of things that need changing then I'd go ahead and get started. Your betas will likely reinforce your revision plans. I generally lay aside a completed novel for several months before doing revisions. Extended time away from your project can help you see more clearly and allow you to come to it with fresh eyes. So it's not all bad that you had to stay away from it for a while. Take heart. You can do it. :Hug2:

third person · Feb 18, 2010

Don't be a sissy, pansy. Read a book that brings you to tears with its awesomeness and think about how you want to be that good. Then START ON THAT by writing till your hands hurt. Pansy.
/tough love
/reverse psychology

Matera the Mad · Feb 18, 2010

Sheet, I'm effing brilliant, but it takes me a coupla years to get all the crap out. Relax. You're normal. Everything's going to be fine. Breathe.

Libbie · Feb 18, 2010

Hack it out of there. It'll make it better. You'll emerge with a much better book. We've all been there, and kudos to you for recognizing you need to do some work. I cut 30K from my novel, and I'm glad I did.

Kosh · Feb 19, 2010

A novel is a great big forest, writing it is planting one tree at a time.

Mistakes will be made. The greats had first drafts that were worse than your's, or at least they felt worse about them.

You don't suck. Seeing the flaws in your writing and wanting to make it better puts you in a great class of people.

Cella · Feb 19, 2010

*pats wysewomon on back*

Sorry, that's not a good feeling. I hope your readers are able to give you some new perspective on it.

:Hug2:

Z0Marley · Feb 19, 2010

Start a new outline. And don't stop. Not until you've turned red with excitement. When you get to that point, you'll start writing. It'll never feel as if you waited at all!

wysewomon · Feb 19, 2010

Well, I got the first round of comments back from my lovely betas. And they said about what I expected. Now about to commence with the hacking and slashing. Wish me luck!

WW

Caitlin Black · Feb 19, 2010

Good luck. Don't let the bed bugs bite... sorry, wrong saying... You can dew it!

EclipsesMuse · Feb 19, 2010

Good luck! You're not alone. After looking at my first draft I realzed I had to cut 75%. So now, I'm rewriting.

littlebear91 · Feb 19, 2010

atleast you are working well into your novel, while I'm still on the planning stage for couple months now, my thoughts are a little bit over 15 pages.

Need Moral Support

Iconoclast

Baby plot bunneh sniffs out a clue

Likes metaphors mixed, not stirred

Lost in mental space.

The cake is a lie. But still cake.

In the end, it's just you and the manuscript

Sheriff Bullwinkle the Poet says:

Expert Procrastinator

Is me.

Iconoclast

The cake is a lie. But still cake.

I am a mighty viking!

Wild one

Burning down the wicked garden.

living in the past

She blinded me--with magic!

Bartender, gimme a Linux Mint

Worst song played on ugliest guitar

Will Write for Food

Cella

Iconoclast

Wild one

Questing

Never Let Go