I love this quote, Sara, and the thought you give to these important questions. I have gone into my bunker re: Trump, and am actively avoiding information, but I think i'm still thinking about what issues I want to engage with in my writing, and it's all connected.
ABSOLUTELY feel you with regards to time taken to finish various stages; I ALWAYS underestimate how long a draft will take and get overly optimistic if it starts very fast. I always forget about the spanners that can fall into the works! Glad to know I'm not the only one.
Oh Sara, I can relate to so much of this! I've just submitted a manuscript to my publisher that took well over a year to write the first draft, and a year or so before that just trying to find my way into the opening scenes. I pulled it apart so many times I was convinced I wouldn't actually get through the thing. I have enough deleted words for a whole new manuscript. I could not understand what I was doing, or why, or if it would ever make sense. This is my seventh manuscript and like you, the experience of each one has been vastly different (which I also forget each time! My fourth novel's first draft took just 10 weeks and I thought I'd finally figured it all out. Haha! Nope.) Oh yes and also – Very Tired!
What you're working on sounds exciting – all the best as you wrangle it into shape whilst also counting down to publication! Take care xx
Hi Kim, thanks so much for sharing, I related very much to this description of trying to wrestle these stories into shape! And also that you are finding the same thing as you write more books too - nice to know it’s not just me! In fact, learning the process for each book seems to be part of my process!! Wishing you flowing words and some nice rest time too!
Thank you for your wise words, Sara. I have just undergone a massive structural edit on my novel- it felt like taking a few steps backwards! But when it all comes together it definitely makes it feel worth it.
Thank you for this! It is so affirming to hear someone who (like me), is struggling right now, speak so openly about your experience. Now, let's do the work!
I love this quote, Sara, and the thought you give to these important questions. I have gone into my bunker re: Trump, and am actively avoiding information, but I think i'm still thinking about what issues I want to engage with in my writing, and it's all connected.
ABSOLUTELY feel you with regards to time taken to finish various stages; I ALWAYS underestimate how long a draft will take and get overly optimistic if it starts very fast. I always forget about the spanners that can fall into the works! Glad to know I'm not the only one.
You are definitely not the only one! And I like the sound of the thinking and planning from the safety of your bunker. x
Saw this.
Thought it was sarah wilson
Everything
Every system
So called support structures
Have been tipped on their head.
Here. Today.
Oh Sara, I can relate to so much of this! I've just submitted a manuscript to my publisher that took well over a year to write the first draft, and a year or so before that just trying to find my way into the opening scenes. I pulled it apart so many times I was convinced I wouldn't actually get through the thing. I have enough deleted words for a whole new manuscript. I could not understand what I was doing, or why, or if it would ever make sense. This is my seventh manuscript and like you, the experience of each one has been vastly different (which I also forget each time! My fourth novel's first draft took just 10 weeks and I thought I'd finally figured it all out. Haha! Nope.) Oh yes and also – Very Tired!
What you're working on sounds exciting – all the best as you wrangle it into shape whilst also counting down to publication! Take care xx
Hi Kim, thanks so much for sharing, I related very much to this description of trying to wrestle these stories into shape! And also that you are finding the same thing as you write more books too - nice to know it’s not just me! In fact, learning the process for each book seems to be part of my process!! Wishing you flowing words and some nice rest time too!
Thank you for your wise words, Sara. I have just undergone a massive structural edit on my novel- it felt like taking a few steps backwards! But when it all comes together it definitely makes it feel worth it.
It sounds like you have done it, so congratulations! Great reminder of the pay off at the end!
Thank you for this! It is so affirming to hear someone who (like me), is struggling right now, speak so openly about your experience. Now, let's do the work!
Yes! Sending solidarity!