Resting Novel, waiting onion

cleverpancake · Jun 19, 2007

Hello out there. I have recently finished a first draft of a novel (first novel woo!) and I was wondering if any of you rewrite a lot in your head while it's resting, waiting, hoping for your return?

The family refers to my outline style as "the onion" because of its shape and its prominent place on my studio wall. However, common sense (and my family) have said to let the onion just hang out for at least 2 weeks before going back for revisions.

Do any of you have a hard time letting your onions hang out?
curiouser,
the clever pancake

Shady Lane · Jun 19, 2007

Oh, absolutely. I have a hard time finishing the first draft because I want to go back and change things.

So I usually don't let it sit in-between drafts. I'm a pretty unhappy person when I'm not working.

cleverpancake · Jun 19, 2007

i am having a hard time knowing what to do with myself now that it is to bed. needful to say, i'm spending a lot of money i otherwise wouldn't have. and running really dumb time-killer errands. (i only write day times).

otoh,
i have made some fantastic lentil stew, would you like some?

TheIT · Jun 19, 2007

Part of the reason I'm writing this first draft by hand is to stop myself from fiddling with the beginning. I figure I'll have so much pent up frustration and energy by the time I reach "THE END", it'll make typing the story and doing my first revision a breeze.

TheIT · Jun 19, 2007

cleverpancake said:
i am having a hard time knowing what to do with myself now that it is to bed.

Write your next novel.

Ziljon · Jun 19, 2007

Hello, Cleverpancake.

This is a good time to start writing your query letter and researching agents. Of course it's not ready to go out yet, but this will help you see the work from a more objective light...maybe, and your query will take ages to get right.

Or, you could just take some time to eat The Big Pancake. Have you tried it yet?

cleverpancake · Jun 19, 2007

it's too hot to eat!

having an avocado for dinner.

re: writing-
i have an editor in the wings, but there are some big holes in the text that need development, but the ending wrote itself last thurs. like, what do i name "randomgermannamedguy" or "%". not to mention a little research i have left to do on anarchy.

gave a lot away right there, didn't i.

the clever (but not big) pancake

cleverpancake · Jun 19, 2007

TheIT said:
Write your next novel.

very tempting, but i'm going to run out of space on the walls.

ChaosTitan · Jun 19, 2007

cleverpancake said:
very tempting, but i'm going to run out of space on the walls.

Then I recommend paper and pen.

cleverpancake · Jun 19, 2007

lol.
i mean to outline. in big black marker. on butcher paper. all of my available space is horded by novel#1

JoNightshade · Jun 19, 2007

Have you tried using a smaller pen?

reenkam · Jun 19, 2007

or a different wall?

Claudia Gray · Jun 19, 2007

Every time I read this thread title, I think of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."

Storyteller5 · Jun 19, 2007

I start on a second project and let something else occupy my head while I let the other sit. I like to revise/rewrite/edit after it's sat for a while and I can't remember exactly what I was thinking as I wrote each line. Working on something else and not necessarily another novel, just another project, is a great way to keep my mind off it.

johnzakour · Jun 19, 2007

I never let a novel sit until it's on the way to the publisher.

It's not like you need to age a novel or anything.

cleverpancake · Jun 19, 2007

it worked, the outline on the walls with the butcher paper, in any event, i nailed 76k words in 18 days.

i'm considering taking the paper down to replace with new ideas for novel #2, but the first one came so easily- i don't want to tempt fate.

cleverpancake

reenkam · Jun 19, 2007

ClaudiaGray said:
Every time I read this thread title, I think of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."

me too

Stijn Hommes · Jun 20, 2007

cleverpancake said:
Hello out there. I have recently finished a first draft of a novel (first novel woo!) and I was wondering if any of you rewrite a lot in your head while it's resting, waiting, hoping for your return?

The family refers to my outline style as "the onion" because of its shape and its prominent place on my studio wall. However, common sense (and my family) have said to let the onion just hang out for at least 2 weeks before going back for revisions.

Do any of you have a hard time letting your onions hang out?
curiouser,
the clever pancake

The whole point of waiting before revising is to get some distance from the novel. Revising in your head detracts from that.

Nickie · Jun 20, 2007

When I allow a novel to sit around and wait, I end up with a completely different story!
So I guess it's better to work on your novel until you feel it's good enough to be send to the publisher.

Nickie

Harper K · Jun 20, 2007

Good job on finishing your draft, cleverpancake!

Honestly, I can't wait to finish my novel and take a break from it for a while. I've been far too wrapped up in it lately and my mind stays fixated on it all day. I'm planning to finish at the end of June and then not begin the next draft until the beginning of August. I've got grand plans for July, let me tell you. I'm going to take all my outlines off my corkboard, do a reading marathon, finish some short stories I abandoned last year, write an article for a local magazine, go rock climbing, visit my mom-in-law... the list goes on. I'll be too busy to think about the novel.

Take down your onion papers and keep yourself busy with non-novel stuff for a while. A first draft, especially, is best approached for revising with a clear mind.

allenparker · Jun 20, 2007

finished draft?

Write another book!

I try to keep three WIP's in the works at all times.

I write one, set it aside for a month. I don't think about it. I don't peek. I leave it alone.

I start another draft.

In a month, I grab the WIP 1 and begin editing. I write for an hour. I edit for an hour.

When WIP 2 draft is finished, I set it aside and begin WIP 3. Usually, WIP 1 is ready for betas and I send them out.

In a month, I begin to edit WIP2. I write WIP 3 for an hour, then edit WIP 2 for an hour. If WIP 1 is back, I shelve it for a couple of weeks, then begin to mix editing WIP 2 and 1 together.

When WIP 1 is complete and ready for submissions, I take a whole day to setup my submissions. Once the submission process starts, I take 20 minutes to read and assess the rejections, requests, and etc and to send out queries.

Works for me. Keeps me from peeking at the drafts before they are ready.

On vacation and weekends, I write short stuff for fun.

You get the idea...

cleverpancake · Jun 20, 2007

satori-
onions are rolled up. per advice from theIT, i'm onto a new idea board.
feels very free.
: )
may your july bring you freedom from things such as warring characters, too many weather references and the riots. Oh and an egg. (i have an egg, too many weather references and an under developed riots chapter.)

cleverpancake · Jun 20, 2007

allenp-
quite a system. i hope i can be half as prolific : )

Prawn · Jun 20, 2007

Ziljon said:
Hello, Cleverpancake.

This is a good time to start writing your query letter and researching agents. Of course it's not ready to go out yet, but this will help you see the work from a more objective light...maybe, and your query will take ages to get right.

Or, you could just take some time to eat The Big Pancake. Have you tried it yet?

I agree. Writing the synopsis and query letter can help you realize what the central theme of your work is so that you can concentrate on it in the rewrite. Also, writing the synopsis and query feels like working on your book, while still letting it sit a while.

Writer2011 · Jun 20, 2007

Out of the many drafts i've started--i've only finished two. I constantly want to change as i'm writing but need to get over that. It's difficult though because you're constantly thinking of ways to make it better... so I know how you feel and you're not alone.

Resting Novel, waiting onion

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