I received my edit letter yesterday! Hurray! I love edit letters. I love reading my editor’s thoughts on the book, and how I can make the book better. Yes, I always hold my breath when I click open the email. I brace myself for the, “This is a good start, BUT…” but I’ve been lucky so far and my editors haven’t hated my books. Which makes sense, of course, or the publisher wouldn’t have bought them. 😉
Anyway, revisions start for real today. I’ve been working on revising for the last few weeks because there were a few things about the book that I had to change, even if they didn’t bother anyone else. One of those things, though, is kicking my butt. In my opinion, my book begins to suck at the end of Chapter 6/beginning of Chapter 7.
And I know exactly why it sucks. It’s not gripping, and it feels like McKenzie is going on these little sidequests that take away from the main, exciting plot line. I had this problem with THE SHATTERED DARK, too. And, well, in my opinion, I didn’t fix them so well in TSD.* I will fix them in TSB, and all I have to do is move the main, exciting plot up to Chapter 6/7, but I don’t freaking know how!!!!!!!!
*ahem* Excuse me, but these two chapters have been frustrating me for the past week. I don’t want to leave them like they are. I need to make them gripping, but obviously, I have some kind of writer’s block.
I need help. I know I do, but you see, I don’t want help. I want to come up with the genius idea on my own. I feel like I’m supposed to come up with the genius idea on my own. I’m the story’s creator, after all. I’m supposed to know how to do this. If I was really a skilled author, I wouldn’t be struggling so much with this. So, if I ask for help, that’s acknowledging that I suck as a writer.
Is that crazy talk? That’s what goes through my mind.
Before I published my first book, when I reached these road blocks, I had all the time in the world to wait for inspiration to hit. I don’t anymore. I have to figure out the solution now.
I’m going to go for a walk. It’s a gorgeous day, and maybe I’ll find inspiration hanging from a tree branch. If I don’t… Ugh. I’m giving myself a few more days to come up with something. Hopefully, I will. If not, you might hear my scream of HELP echoing across the country.**
* I’m probably not supposed to say that. I’m probably supposed to pretend like I believe every word I’ve ever written is right and brilliant, but the truth is, I struggle sometimes (okay, a lot of times) with writing, and if I had years and years to write a book, of course I could make it better.
** I will be looking for a couple of beta readers in the next month. I don’t mind that kind of help at all. I love it! That’s different from what I’m struggling with here. I can’t see all the problems in my manuscripts, so betas are awesome and crucial for helping to point them out.
Sandy,
In my experience, the third book of a series usually sucks. The author runs out of steam, forgets the point, changes their rhythm, whatever. The third book just isn’t the same as the first two. Since you recognize this in your book, you are a step ahead of most authors!
“If I was really a skilled author, I wouldn’t be struggling so much with this. So, if I ask for help, that’s acknowledging that I suck as a writer.” Or you are human. One or the other.
Oh, no, it’s the third book that usually sucks? I always thought it was the second. Darn it, I thought I was past the sucky book. lol
Thanks for the encouragement!
Sandy, I feel your pain. In any endeavor, it is never easy to get constructive criticism. i recently went from a job where I was THE subject matter expert to a job where I am the junior person on the team. I made this jump because I wanted a challenge and darn, if I didn’t get just that. What I am learning is that it is difficult to grow when we are in a place of comfort or joy…only when there is pain/discomfort. You know, kinda like building a muscle – those little fibers have to tear in order for the muscle to grow!
If in the future you are looking for a beta reader, I would be pleased to be one for you! Shadow Reader was a game changer for me. I didn’t read much UF/PNR before and now 300+ books later, I can’t get enough!
Hi Sunny! That change sounds difficult, but you have a great point.We need t constantly grow. I hope I am. It’s just difficult to see when I’m in the middle of a story.
I’m so happy you’re reading so much UF/PNR!
Sandy, don’t stress. Everything you are feeling is completely natural. As an aspiring author myself, I constantly live a daily battle of self doubt (I think it’s a writers requirement). The desire to be the one who has all the right ideas is one shared by many authors. After all, if I don’t come up with the genius idea, there must be something wrong with me as a writer right? You sharing these feelings only gives me more strength to continue on my path to becoming a published author. This is because I trust your work and your abilities. I see in your writing all the successful elements I hope to have in mine. Your work has been successful in the last two books and I trust you to take us on the next journey going forward. I have no doubt that your next book will be superb. So don’t focus on what you might do wrong and just keep doing what you have been doing right.
Hi Vanessa,
I’m so glad my post helps inspire you to keep writing! I know we all feel doubts from time to time, and with me, it’s so hard to see past them when the book isn’t going well. It’s just like you said: I have to remember to trust myself and keep writing. I *think* I’ve found a solution to the problem I had the other day. The book is looking better! I just have to finish out my revisions and… and then wait 8 months for it to be published. 🙂
Thanks for your comment, and definitely do keep writing! The perserverence will pay off!
Sandy! I absolutely adore everything about both of your books! I’ve reread them a few times! I just got done reading TSD again tonight and I was left hanging and had to check out your website to see when the next one was coming! Just stay true to what inspired you on your first book because that’s what led you here! The characters are becoming these family members that I want to hug and kiss and protect all from my fluffy reading chair! I don’t know what UF would be like without your books! Keep sweatin girl! You’ll get there and I will be preordering because I can’t stand the wait!
Hi Randi!
It always amazes me when people read my books more than once. Thank you! I’m so happy McKenzie and Aren and Kyol keep you entertained.
I just got my official release date from my editor. It’s December 31, 2013. Technically, it’s this year, though it’s considered a January release date in publishing. 9 more months to go, but I promise the wait will be worth it!
Sandy