10. You can't remember the actual number of drafts you've written.
9. You question the placement of every event.
8. Although you're still in love with your main character, you're ready for a break.
7. Your writing seems tight one day and sloppy the next.
6. You're convinced this is the worst thing you've ever written.
5. You're hopeful this is the best thing you've ever written.
4. You're sure you've tied up all your plot lines, but you know in your heart there's one still out there...dangling.
3. You're on a first name relationship with your thesaurus. (Roget, my dear, come here!)
2. You're amazed by the conflicting urges to, on the one hand, cherish your manuscript, but on the other, to throw it up against a wall.
1. The next book has evolved from being a small whisper in the back of your brain to a screaming banshee in the front.
I don't know whether to cringe or sing hallelujah. I meet most of your list.
ReplyDeleteHelen
Straight From Hel
Helen; I'm having the same type of reaction. Unsettling, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteYES! You nailed it.
ReplyDeleteElspeth - Oh, this is *so* true!!!! For me, #1 happened really quickly after I was finished with my first book. #2 is really eerily true of me, too. You really must stop reading my mind, ok? Thank you ; ).
ReplyDeleteWow...2 is a big one for me...and I'm SICK of reading the dang thing :)
ReplyDeleteCarol; I'm pleased you think so.
ReplyDeleteMargot; hehehe! I'm everywhere. Be afraid. Be very, very afraid.
Giles; I identify with your dilemma completely. I'm there too.
Karen; It's a strange place to be, isn't it? On the one hand, you're thrilled. On the other hand, you're terrified.
ReplyDeleteYes, Yes, OH GOD, YES!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I hear ya! Yep, I got me a Roget too :)
ReplyDeleteElisa; I'll have what you're having.
ReplyDeleteAA; isn't it just the best? But tell me, why isn't there another word for thesaurus?
8. Although you're still in love with your main character, you're ready for a break. ( I love this one. I also feel the guilt from breaking up with my character and when I try to make up, they don't want to talk to me anymore...)
ReplyDelete1. The next book has evolved from being a small whisper in the back of your brain to a screaming banshee in the front. (Yes, yes, yes and secretly, they've been undermining the relationship you've had with your current book...)
Love this.
CD
You have me laughing again. I can so identify with numbers 10 and 2 and…well, all of them.
ReplyDeleteClarissa; I don't have quite the same problem as my main character continues on, but the others are quite miffed.
ReplyDeleteJane; I'm pleased I can make you laugh. I (obviously) identify with them all.
"But tell me, why isn't there another word for thesaurus?" LOL. that is an excellent point!
ReplyDeleteomigod yes!
ReplyDeleteI'm at number 4 only I know there are several plot lines dangling, disengaged, sprung free, living in someone else's head. yikes. And yet not number 1 because I'm so hairbrained they are all out all the time. Thanks for your perspective as usual. I'm not surprised though. If I could just woo those sheep over to my brain!
Jan; Yes, I love my sheep. But they tend to mock as well as flock. It can be annoying. Bless them, anyway.
ReplyDeleteRight on here Elspeth!! What a perfect list! And I know I have a ways to go with this one, because I'm not ready for any of this but I recognize it from the last one lol!
ReplyDeleteKaren; I'm glad you liked it! We all get there sooner or later - I just seem to take longer than many!
ReplyDeleteThis is great. I've gone through these steps and thought there was something wrong with me. It's nice to know I'm not alone. :0)
ReplyDeleteI dearly love Roget, but I kept him in the cabinet for this first draft. I get caught up looking for a great work only to chop it later. Or get sidetracked.
ReplyDeleteKathi; I'm relieved to discover I'M not alone!
ReplyDeleteStephanie; Roget doesn't make an appearance during my first draft. It's in later passes that I develop a close relationship.
It all sounds very familiar!
ReplyDeleteYAY!!! I'm almost done! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this!
ReplyDeleteMartina
Sheesh, I scored 10 out of 10--guess it's time to finish that query letter and start researching agents!
ReplyDeleteOh, it's so true! Back Banshee, back!!!!
ReplyDeleteVery nice list, Elspeth.
BTDT -- love #1, though. That's usually what it takes to admit you can't make the book any better, only different, so move on.
ReplyDeleteWell, that's a relief. Wait, no. One more pass... just one more.
ReplyDeleteI grew to despise my main character for a little while. Taking a break from each other worked wonders!
ReplyDelete