Let it Go (Reprise)

Remember what I said at the beginning of the month, about going back to finish Gwen’s story?

Well, I decided it’s not the right time yet–for a number of reasons.

I’m going to rewrite Featherfolk instead. The plot is solid. I forsee mostly tweaking the cultures and magic systems, fixing character inconsistencies, and addressing pacing/POV issues, but we’ll see what else comes up as I re-read the whole draft.

I’ll give myself part of August to research and plan, then spend September and likely October rewriting. I definitely want to have the second draft finished before our baby arrives in November.

Here goes!

Happy yarning.

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Editing Has a Bedtime

Last night I hit it again. That wall where suddenly every comment on my work puts my hair on end, and I wonder how I ever thought anyone would want to read this manuscript. After scrolling with mounting ire through a few more comments, I look at the clock, and oh… that’s why.

I tend to get to that state by about 9 pm regardless of how much editing I’ve done during the day. (And yesterday I’d binge-edited eight chapters by that point.)

So I said “I’m done,” and tucked my manuscript in for the night. Even though I wanted to finish up the draft, it just wasn’t going to happen. I have learned that editing while tired is more likely to result in frustration and tears than improvements to the draft.

Hey, look, a metaphor!

Millstones had patterns of radiating arcs cut into them so they would grind better. Periodically the patterns had to be re-cut because they would become worn down. This is one of the millstones I saw at the windmill by Sanssoucci Palace in Potsdam, Germany.

Don’t try to keep grinding away at your draft with a dull millstone. Rest when you need to.

Here’s to a new day, new energy, new insights, and new creativity.

Happy Yarning!

Editing Hack: My Husband is a Genius

This is what my work area looks like as I’m composing this post.

See that thing over to the left? Yes, that collapsible music stand holding the marked-up manuscript.

This is how the conversation went this morning as I attampted to transfer edits into my Scrivener file from my marked hard copy:

“Arrrrgh. I can’t get this stupid folder to sit anywhere useful!”

“…Well, it’s too bad we don’t have any sort of metal stand for holding papers.”

“Oh…and too bad it isn’t totally sitting in the corner right here…” I grabbed it and set it up.

So if you ever need something to hold papers by your computer, just grab that collapsible music stand you hardly ever use for its actual purpose anymore.

This editing hack is brought to you by my amazing and creative husband. ^_^

Happy Yarning!