Monday, August 6, 2012

The Impending Edits Checklist

I cannot believe it's already time for the HOUSE OF IVY AND SORROW editorial letter! Seriously, where has the time gone? (Oh yeah, Dread Pirate Baby ate it all. And he's still hungry.) No matter how many editorial letters I get—whether from crit partners, agent, or editor—I still have the same reaction. It goes a little bit like this:

1. Complete and utter panic.
2. Crying. (YES. I cry. Every time. Even when it's not that bad.)
3. Frantic planning.
4. Frantic emails to editor for clarification and approval of plans.
5. More panic over starting.
6. Eventual acceptance that it's not so bad.
7. Much enjoyment of smiley faces throughout MS.

Since I know that I can't seem to change my reaction to edits, this time I've decided just to prepare for what I know I'll do. This is the list I created for your entertainment:

❑ Get dark chocolate. Lots of it.

❑ Warn husband that I will be a weepy mess for at least two days, poor guy.

❑ Buy new iPod game for Dino Boy and Ninja Girl, so they can be distracted while I obsess.

❑ Finish TAKEN by Erin Bowman because it's awesome and I can't read while I edit because I compare too much.

❑ Acquire Diet Mt. Dew Code Red for impending long nights with MS.

❑ Notify everyone in my life that I will be a cranky sleep-deprived hermit for a month and it's not their fault. I still love them.

❑ Beg family and friends for extra babysitting time.

❑ Swear off watching Korean Dramas in obsessive, week-long marathons (Oh man, that's gonna be really hard.)

❑ Stock kitchen with easy-to-make food so I don't have to waste time cooking. Also, make a giant pot of curry to feed husband for at least a week.

❑ Stake out my favorite desk at the library, why yes, it's the secluded one in the corner of the YA section DO NOT TOUCH IT OR YOU DIE.

❑ Say goodbye to the WIP. (Sniff, I'll miss you, ugly little first draft.)

❑ Find awesome scented highlighters Mom bought me in New Zealand (She totally knows how to pick good gifts, guys.).

❑ Clean whole house so it won't be so bad after I'm done (Oh, who am I kidding? So not happening.).

Well, guys, I better get to work prepping.

13 comments:

  1. Wouldn't the hubby be tired of curry after a week?

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    1. It takes A LOT to get my husband tired of curry...

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  2. i love you, just so you know. i love how you're honest and real on your blog. i cannot wait to read transparent, ivy, and anything else you'll throw into the wilderness!

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  3. What a great list! Let me know how I can help these next two weeks at least. Once I go back to work I will have some time in the afternoons to take up the slack as much as I can. Keep on keeping on. You're doing great!!!

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  4. Oh my goodness, Natalie! I clicked through from twitter, starting reading about about dark chocolate and iPod games, then all of a sudden my book is listed out in your check list, complete with compliments that made me beam like an idiot. THANK YOU! What a wonderful surprise.

    And for what it's worth: I totally email Erica frantically to get approval on my Revising Plan of Attack, too! She is so patient to put up with us!

    I'm also making note of this "cook a large pot of curry to feed the hubby all week" advice. SO SMART. Why haven't I thought of this before?

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  5. Good luck girlie! I have a week left with me edits/revisions. I totally get this whole post!!

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  6. Sounds . . . complicated. :) But, it's totally worth it! Good luck, Natlaie! (You're, really, truly going to need it. :)) Hmm . . . double smiley face!

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  7. Oh my God, I can so relate to this! I just went through this a couple of months ago. Good luck, Natalie! I'll be with you in spirit.

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  8. No wonder I'm so depressed with my revising today. I'm reading John Green;)

    Here's to hoping all this prep makes this time better. Sending some good vibes your way!

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  9. Editorial letters are crushing. I don't cry but I sure get grumpy and have one-sided arguments in my head about how they're wrong. Takes me a long time to go from denial to acceptance. :P
    Yes, chocolate really helps!

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  10. I'm at the agent editorial letter stage as well. I love it, and have stockpiled the Mars Bars and recharged the iPad so I can listen to the Harry Potter soundtracks.

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