Monday, April 5, 2010

Whistle While You Work

Or, you know, whine. Whichever.

So I'm starting the long and tedious process of reworking a book today. I'm not gonna lie—it's a tad overwhelming, like standing at the bottom of a mountain and knowing you have to climb to the top. It's not that I don't think I CAN do it. It's just so. much. work. And having climbed a mountain fairly similar to this one before, I have the disadvantage of knowing just how hard it'll be.

But on the bright side, I also know how great the payoff is for a job well done. How pretty the view is from the top, if you will. I know that someday I'll be proud of this stinking book. Someday I'll feel good about it. Writing is quite the lesson in delayed gratification.

Well, I better get started...

Wait. Let me just watch this one more time:


That video reminds me to laugh at myself and this whole crazy writing/feedback process.

Okay, a few last preparations:

Notebooks:

Best Pens Ever:

Code Red:
Alrighty, NOW I'm ready. Time to start the hike.

UPDATE: Ack! How could I forget Mood Music? AND Chocolate! *runs off to store*


UPDATE: Okay, NOW I can get to work...if the kids will let me.

33 comments:

  1. *revising cookies* and good luck!

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  2. Good luck!

    Love the pics. Especially love the guests in the last. Looks like you'll have a bit of a time of it with company around in your writing cave.

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  3. I love that clip! Literally laughing out loud!

    And I will be first in line for copies of that book! :)

    Good luck on the rework. I'm editing a book right now and it was going fine - til I reread Chapter 5! My facebook status (and I quote) "Claire is wondering if she was on a manure diet to write all that crap!"

    :( Joys of editing!

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  4. That's too funny in the last pic with your little one peeking from behind you. :-) Those notebooks look so organized and writerly! Do you usually write longhand?

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  5. I loves me some Paramore.
    YOU CAN DO IT!!!!
    (Now get to work.)

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  6. ooohhh I like your choice of pens :) Those are my favorites too!!!!!

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  7. I love that video. That's how I feel sometimes. Good luck with rewrite-ville. Not the favorite place, but definitely the most rewarding when you get to the end.

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  8. I'm eating the curry you made, and it's so good!!!

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  9. Abby, I don't usually write longhand, but I'm going to try it this time, in attempts to curb internet distractions and editing impulses:)

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  10. LOL. Love the updated pics. And good luck with curbing the editing impulses. I wrote my last novel longhand first and found myself editing all the time when transcribing it into the computer.

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  11. I LOVE that clip! I am pretty sure I have had that same conversation with myself more than once.

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  12. Stephanie, I actually hope to edit as I put it into the computer! I think it might be an awesome way to clean it up bit by bit, almost like yet another rewrite but not.

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  13. OMG I loooooove that clip! Sometimes when people tell me their ideas for books (because I am a writer, so naturally they always "give" me their ideas so I can use them in books) that's how they explain their idea. Not like this, but this.

    Have fun with rewriting.

    Wait a minute--didn't you just finish a rewrite? Is this a new one? Are you secretely stuck in the seventh circle of rewriting and using your blog as a way to get the message out? Is rewriting your code for "Help me please!" ?

    Because if you are, I will totally call Ghostbusters to spring you. Remember, the sparrows fly at midnight.

    *winks*

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  14. Elizabeth, I was revising...and the results of revising have led to a REwrite, as in starting over with a blank page.

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  15. You have all the equipment you need, and you are going to slay this mountain! SLAY IT. :)

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  16. Man, I need your "book revising kit". It's way better than mine. Good luck. You can do it, my friend. You're insanely awesome.

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  17. Totally agree on the pens. The Dew, not so much. Good luck with it!

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  18. This is why I think Costco is a writer's best friend. Case of soda & chocolate for a small dent to the pocket and there parked next to the desk is a month's worth of writing supplies.

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  19. Cute clip, so funny. Look at all that chocolate!

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  20. Oooh, revision chocolates. Great idea. Too bad the Easter Bunny didn't think of bringing me those yesterday. Silly bunny!

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  21. Your notebook rocks!! Love the pens!!

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  22. "Writing is quite the lesson in delayed gratification."
    That's exactly it! I'm doing the same thing right now. The mountain is so daunting.

    Love the new blog look. Wow. I go away for a couple weeks and things change all over the place.

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  23. Go for it Natalie! Woohoo!

    (I think I was in a critique group with that guy! It scared me a little). =)

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  24. I've seen the video clip before - it's still hilarious. Good luck with your rewrites.

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  25. Code Red keeps everything going. And such a cute notebook would have me wanting to write in it. ;) Good luck!

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  26. You make it look so fun!

    I wonder if I have what it takes some days, then I stumble across a great post like this and I remember I'm not alone.

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  27. Looks like you're all set! Good luck! (I'm sure you'll do excellently!)

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  28. Best pens ever!

    Good luck with your mountain!

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  29. That video clip was hilarious. And I love Paramore. Always gotta have the essentials :)

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  30. I'll be thinking on you as I struggle to get the final chapters of my first draft written.

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  31. Your hair looks so long! Didn't I just see you? Good luck!

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  32. How cute is this new blog design?? How long has it been here?

    I love the "OK, not this" video. Every time I see it, I laugh out loud.

    These revisions will be GREAT!! I understand that perhaps YOU aren't excited by them (work sucks & all that), but I sure am. :)

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