True - This week I got back on the horse when it comes to my revision. I am in the last few chapters and at last got through the sticky bit that was troubling me. However (and there is always a however) the sticky bit seems to have moved on ahead of me so I'm at it anew. It is like one of those mirages you see on Prairie highways - so tantalizing real looking but disappearing as you get closer. Or, like when I was a child at bedtime I would soothe myself by pushing the wrinkles away from my face on the sheets. They didn't go away though - just moved farther out. I think today I am going to have to take a radical turn in my plot - really amp up the stakes for my protagonist. And I'm a bit scared. I'll do it though - I'll try it out and if it doesn't work I'll try another way to get through this to the ending that I am quite happy with!
Supportive Tip #1 - once having made decisions to do something - do it. The action becomes the discipline and a sense of well-being feeds the discipline. This is the same for exercising, keeping your blog up to date or any thing you are trying to make a regular practice.
The Rock Walker - I will be signing up tomorrow morning for the Pitch the Publisher activity two weeks today . I thought it was today that I signed up but it is tomorrow. OK. I don't want to forget this! I have been torn about which book to pitch but as I am very sure The Rock Walker is done ENOUGH to go to a publisher I think it will have to be it. Because I am not done the revisions on True.
supportive tip #2 - make committments public. Leap knowing that you will figure out the landing on the way down. I know if I sign up for P.t.P. I will work on my pitch until it satisfies me.
Mentorship program - I need to mail or bring in my application for the mentorship program. In fact I might have blown it already - I'm going to go check right now...No. I won't be doing that - the application was due on Friday. Merde! OK - I will be doing my own mentorship program then. I will find someone to mentor me and pay them or exchange services of some kind or another. Merde merde merde! What a dope! I had it all ready two weeks ago and thought I had plenty of time. OK - the self-flagellation is over. (little break while I do something) OK - I now have another plan - an exchange with someone who won't do the full mentorship thing but will satisfy that need. Goody.
Supportive tip #3 - When caught in an error, mistake or fumble don't dwell on shoulda, coulda, woulda. Instead act in a way that starts repairing the problem.
Banner update - I am working on my writing banner. I have got the material (canvas) and plan on embroidering my device on it once I've worked it out. It will include an image of a hawk, perhaps a lotus and maybe a bee. I'm not sure what my slogan will be - I think 'YES!' but am not sure...
13 comments:
Is the Rock Walker your first book? I'm reading the prologue and first chapter and I like them. The characters... oh wait, I'll give my critique tomorrow.
CD
I already wrote BUT my capricious computer ate it. Seems to be doing much of that lately.
So - My first book is 'Feckless'. I wrote it, shopped it a bit and then shelved it until I've got the desire to go back at it. The second book begun is 'True' the one that I'm in revisions with now. I stopped it mid-book as I really liked it and wanted to learn how to plot and structure before I didn't like it. I wrote The Rock Walker because I thought a mystery would help me find that structure. I think it did. I started another in the 'Kitty McDonald' series, 'Earth Bound', but put it aside when I realized I had what I needed for 'True'. Confused? So, technically, The Rock Walker is the second book to be finished by me!
I'm excited to read your crit!
Jan, the publishing industry changed this year. Just when I thought I had a handle on things the rules changed. I am a creature of habit. I work on a manuscript each day at the same time. I'll pass on advice from a dear friend. She said to keep hope in the mail. It doesn't count unless you submit your work.
I invite you to my blog and see the iPad, iPod world . . .crap. I am not happy about the internet technology flexing its muscles. I like to feel, smell and bend the spine of a book. But I am a dinosaur
http://www.atkinsontimekeeper.com/
I think you're doing amazing. SOrry you missed the mentoring deadline! That stinks! But you are right not to be too hard on yourself... nothing for it now... just move forward, and your OTHER stuff sounds great. Congrats on making it so far with revisions!
I like your second tip - making it public. That always works for me - if I feel extra pressure, it motivates me. Good luck on the rest of your revisions - go go go!
John - well I'm a bit of a dinasoar and a bit of a shooting comet. I love the feel of a book too and I'm willing to embrace the changes - I'll stop by your site today and see what's going on!
Hart - I'm getting pretty excited about my revision process now - I know I just need to get through to the end of this one and the other revisions will flow naturally - this is the sticky one and I nearly have it done!
Talli - yep, even if I know that no one on this blog will really be upset if I don't do what I say I will, I am enough my father's daughter to believe that a promise made is a debt unpaid! So the stick and the carrot keep on apace...
Loved the reference to "prairie highways," Jan! And you are right: we need systems to stay on track. Read a great quote the other day about writing. Something to the effect that part of us wants to write, the other part doesn't, so we have to trick the part that doesn't to cooperate w/the part that does!
In terms of what works for me, I'm still working on that! But, overall, I try to keep life distractions to a minimum when writing and that means keeping my calendar flexible and uncomplicated. When I get too many things penciled "in stone," I know the good writing days and hours will be hard to find. :)
Btw, new post @ Sunny Room Studio re A Generous Spirit; think you'll enjoy it @ www.DazyDayWriter.com (blog name).
Best to you, Jan, for the week! --Daisy
Very interesting post. Like seeing into your life. Thanks for inviting us in.
I don't know if it would work for big projects, but for smaller things, I keep a notepad on my desk where I write down things I need to do. As I do them, I mark them off. It helps to see things get crossed off.
I'm in the revision process as well. I drink a lot of coffee and start right when I wake up before the day gets away from me. Then I do all my tedious stuff like house work and family. After dinner, I'm back on for a few hours. It's all about a routine. I don't make a deal with what I'll finish because I want it to be fun and not feel like a job. The more fun I have the better I write and the more I get done.
Good luck with your week! :D
It sounds like you're doing really well to me!
I've made goals public before, too, Jan--I'll post on Facebook that I'm writing for an hour straight, etc. I'm all about needing some accountability!
Sounds like you have a good system working for you. I particularly like your supportive tip #3 – don’t dwell on shoulda, coulda, woulda.
Great advice. Stay the course!
Alex
Daisy - I definitely need systems! They make me feel like something is in control as it is surely not me...
Helen - oh the 'to do list' is big in my life. Only they aren't too consolidated and should be.
Brenda - early is good for me too - just making a priority for it is the ticket. If I can.
Elizabeth - yes! a little stick, a little carrot makes me a disciplined person.
Jane - those shoulds are killers, especially in the middle of the night.
Alex - thanks! And thanks for dropping by, hope you come again...
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