I'm rapidly approaching my first round of edits on my debut novel, and I've been obsessing over everything, to the point of Psychosis. Well, not really Psychosis, but close enough. So, I thought I'd get the scoop from my blogger peeps. How bout it? Any of you act like lunatics just before your editor takes hold of your manuscript?
If not, lie to me. Tell me you shaved your cat and ate baked ice cream for dinner, all because your brain cells were too scrambled for you to function as normal humans in main stream society. Go on and on about the designs in your wood grain and the great advice they give for the opening line of your latest novel. Mine, (the man in the wood grain) he's a dwarf. His name is Al, and he gets angry when I spray perfume--says it flares up his allergies. Also, he thinks it's wrong to begin sentences with, As.
If you're afraid to post stuff like that on the web, scared of the guys in white, the ones carrying the straight jacket, then just tell me how brilliant I am. You don't have to talk about your pet Yeti or your collection of shrunken heads. Reassurance, pals, that's what I need. So, give it up. Be serious, (even though I rarely am) and tell me how you dealt with, or are dealing with this issue.
Thanks for reading this nutty-nutty-nut-ball post. Until next time, happy writing, or whatever makes you smile. :)
I reach a point where I just decide 'fine', and push that enter key. By the way - it looks like you can go into fortune telling ;)
ReplyDeleteLOL, T! My booth is set up and ready to go. :P Thanks for the advice. 'Fine,' it shall be. :)
DeleteHow did you know that I shaved my cat and ate baked ice cream for dinner??
ReplyDeleteSeriously, though, take deep breaths and relax. Have faith in your work and trust that it will all pay off in the end.
Best of luck! :)
Wow, Mark, you too? Gosh, we have so much in common. :P
DeleteThanks, that's good advice. I think it's like with anything else, we're always nervous our first time out. Starting the deep breaths now. :)
Hey, Karen!
ReplyDeleteThanks. You're right. I imagine there's a huge amount of trust in the whole process. Really, it'll all end up just as it's supposed to, so I need to turn off my panic button. Glad you stopped by. :)
I'm fond of Baked Alaska. As for the crazies, OH YEAH. Once when I'd been working on a project for a long time, I went to the bank. I grabbed a deposit slip and saw the first line: Name. I stared at it, trying to remember my name. I was in a bank, so it would probably look suspicious if I had to go for my wallet to check my id. I stared at that deposit slip and my name popped into my head. I was so happy I almost danced a jig right there in the bank.
ReplyDeleteYeah, crazy...
HAAAA! That's what I'm talking about, Rena! Sounds like you know exactly what I'm trying to say and more! It's a wonder you didn't write down your protagonist's name, lol! That would've taken some explaining to clear up. :P
DeleteLong evening walks. Scotch. It works for David Moore Cornwell (John le Carre).
ReplyDeleteFoxhounds help with the walk incentive. So do beagles. Try a pair. Physical exertion works best to eliminate that edginess when editing the last few chapters.
Scotch when done, then bed.
All right, booze and pooches it is, Jack. I believe a little nip might set me straight, but it's been awhile, so that could lead to an interesting blog post. At any rate, it sound nice and tranquil. :)
DeleteI hate when I get in that OCD mode. In some ways I'm glad to be picky, but in other ways, I just hate when I nitpick and can't leave something alone. Drives me nuts. Glad I'm not the only one.
ReplyDeleteI know, Julie! It's crazy how a paragraph morphs from fab to crap just overnight. Oh well, maybe our OCD will pay off in the end. :)
DeleteNo clue how to deal with the issue but good luck, hang in there. I would recomend chocolate doughnuts. And then a lot of exercise when you come out the other end.
ReplyDeleteThanks, S.P.
DeleteAny form of chocolate is always a good idea. Maybe I'll munch on an eclair while doing P-90x! That would make for some great home video footage! :P
Remember the post I did about you and over polish syndrome...go get the refresher course chick. Hehe.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, I work on something else. I pretend the book is as the publisher wanted it or she wouldn't have contracted it.
Good advice, friend. I'm about to settle down. I'll go back for that refresher, lol. You always put me back in line. :)
DeleteI'm not sure anybody could call me sane, but I think I'm protected by my attitude that I have SEVERAL shots to get it right. Instead of investing all my rocks in a round of editing, I know THIS round is just one of a dozen, so any improvement at all is progress... It's a slowish way to do it, but it seems to be the only way I can do it without overthinking it so far that it ruins the voice.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Hart! Yeah, I tend to over polish, so I have to be careful. Mostly I'm stressing over my first paragraphs. I'll get it when I calm down. I'm glad you dropped in. :)
DeleteI haven't dealt with it yet. When you discover the remedy, please share with us folks....
ReplyDeleteWill do, Michelle! :)
DeleteAloha Celeste :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck with WIP #1 and remember the goal is to remain sane by the end of the journey... 'cos WIP #2 is about to begin :)
Hey, Mark!
DeleteMy journey is just about to end at the editor's desk, and I'm kind of sane, lol. WIP# is up and running. We'll see if I can keep my sanity on it. Glad you popped in. :)