Thursday, March 4, 2010

Ode to a Manuscript

FIRST DRAFT:

Oh, how I love thee, manuscript - let me count the ways.
Thy characters - they delight me
Thy dialogue - how it sparkles
Thy twists and turns confound and amaze me.
Surely this is the best manuscript I have ever had the fortune to write.

SEVENTH DRAFT:

Oh, how I am bored with thee, manuscript - let me count the ways.
Thy characters are dull and flat
Thy dialogue is trite and unimaginative
Thy twists and turns are obvious
Surely this is the worst manuscript I have ever had the misfortune to write.

FINAL DRAFT:

Oh, how I rejoice in your finishing, manuscript - let me count the ways.
Thy characters are human and fault-filled
Thy dialogue is informative and funny
Thy twists and turns are many
I complete thee and hope for the best.

15 comments:

  1. Are you going to write Supreme Court rulings in iambic pentameter next? ;)

    Seriously though, glad I checked in. Needed to smile. Thanks.

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  2. Elisa; I say this denial is not fit for trial. (never say I can't quote TWW at the drop of a hat)

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  3. And that's exactly the way it is. The hardest part is figuring out when to declare a draft the "final" draft. I think it's when we can't bear the thought of reading the darned thing again.

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  4. Carol; I'm pleased.

    Patricia; Ain't it the truth?

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  5. Wonderful! Thanks for this! And I have nothing to add to it!

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  6. Elizabeth - How creative, well-written, and true!! This is just wonderful! I think you must be looking over my shoulder as I write or something, because that is precisely how it is with me!

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  7. How true! You put into words how so many of us feel - well done.

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  8. Perfect! And Shakespearean, to boot!

    Elizabeth

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  9. Awesome! I haven't got to the 3rd stanza yet - looking forward to it :)

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  10. Love it! And it's totally true. I absolutely detested Hatshepsut somewhere around Edit #6. Now I like her again.

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  11. Karen; Really, nothing? Aren't you kind.

    Margot; You do say the nicest things. I should carry you around in my pocket.

    Jane; Thank you.

    Elizabeth, Forsooth, my lady, I aimed for truth.

    Jan; Right on, right back!

    Karen; I'm so glad I made you smile.

    Jemi; The third stanza takes the time it takes. It's easy to be stuck on the second.

    Stephanie; Isn't it funny we all get to the point where we despise what we're working on? It's certainly true every time for me.

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  12. The seventh draft pretty much captures my current existance. So... you're saying I have something to look forward to? :D

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