After a bout of real world interruptions, during which time nothing of writerly importance was accomplished, today I spoke to my agent on the telephonic device. We discussed my recently completed first draft of Talonshale, and agreed that six weeks should give me ample time to come up with a version sturdy enough to withstand his weighty scrutiny.Which seems like loads of time, right? I'll have leftover time coming out of my ears, right? (In the visible spectrum, a sufficient quantity of 'leftover time' can sometimes resemble soap bubbles). Writing a first draft in five weeks means you oughtter be able to edit the thing in a week tops. Am I right?
No -- Not so for me, my friends.
I'm a better word-vomiter than I am a word-polisher.
So we'll see how it goes.
In the meantime, looky here -- some 'family' and some 'whatnot' to go along with all the durned 'writin' talk.
18 comments:
You can do eet! Gooooo, Ray!! :D
-Mercedes
We have faith in you. :D
I also enjoy the word vomiting better than polishing. Good luck!
And looks like the Veen family had a fun autumn day!!
Just get lost in your book again. You can do it. It's what we writers do. Jump back in.
p.s. as I watched your video all I could think about was how everyone was walking. Walking. Without crutches. I can't wait to get rid of these crutches of mine!!!!!!!!!!
Looks like a fun time. :) Word vomiting is so much more fun than polishing.
Thanks, guys.
KM -- I would've carried you across the mud too.
It seems like all I've done for the last year and a half is revise both the most recent book and its predecessor. I'm really tired of it.
What makes it worse is the inkling that if I'd written them right in the first place, I wouldn't be backing up and editing them yet again.
Can you set right to work on edits without taking a break first? I always need some distance first.
Good point Mary, I used to like a nice long break in between, but having an agent eliminates a lot of the things that used to make me feel comfortable. Now I feel pressured to continue to make progress every day. (Purely internal pressure, though -- it's none of Ethan's doing)
For the upcoming six weeks I'm only planning on having a solid second draft. Ethan will want some input on subsequent drafts.
So yeah, that's how that all works.
Good luck with the revisions! I am both a slow first-drafter and a slow rewriter - so I have no tips for you on doing anything writing related in a speedy way.
You wrote a first draft in five weeks? I suddenly feel pathetic.
Wow! That's a tough deadline. But you've faced tough things before, right?! Keep us posted on how it's coming.
You're family is awesome!
No, Anita, YOU'RE awesome.
So, I came over here and I am in awe of the five week first draft. Perhaps you are such an amazing word vomiter that you won't have much polishing to do. I have to say I suck at the vomiting but I do enjoy the polishing but I apparently do both incredibly slowly. Hence the envy at the five weeks.
And it was nice to come over and see those disbelieving kids. They appear more like they believe every word you say.
Love the video! It's polished!
Tina -- I am so utterly honest that my kids are shocked and disoriented at my claim that they're going to admire their brother some day.
Veeflower -- I learned how to polish things in the Army.
No sweat, Ray. Six weeks is plenty. Minus the five days since this post, of course.
OMG!!
Five days already?!!! That means there's just a hair over five weeks left!!
I suppose you might just as well say five. Which, really, is not much more than a month, when you think about it....
Holy crap!
Best not think about it. Think about baseball. That's what I do.
Good luck, Ray. :)
That's some good hoe down music! We have a corn maze about an hour's drive away.
I also enjoy the word vomiting better than polishing. Good luck!
Work from home India
Post a Comment