Let it Snow
I need a snow day really badly. One where I can take the day off and just write my little brain out. I have a good start on the contemporary paranormal (almost a chapter) and that helped to clear out the historical cobwebs. It’s amazing how switching genres can help you see flaws easier. I went back to an older novel Wedded to the Enemy (Okay, older in the sense that I finished it this past August) and was looking at the proposal. I realized that I was guilty of over-editing. I edited the plot and voice right out of it. :loser: When I went back to a raw, rougher version, the heart was still there. So I decided to keep the rough version and lose the polished one. Interesting. Never thought I’d do that, but there you go.
I keep struggling with this book for several reasons. One, I absolutely adore the voice. It’s me, 100%. When I wrote this story, I poured my heart into it, and I truly want this book to sell. It’s incredibly special to me. The problem is, I took a wrong turn at the midpoint, and the book started unraveling. I forced myself to write through it, deciding I’d figure it out later. Problem is, I finished the book and never really solved the problem.
I’m taking some time to write out all the character goals, the plot threads, etc. etc. to see if I can find out where I went off course. I don’t think it will require major surgery or transplants; but I do think the book will need a bit of an overhaul. I know I can do the revisions, but it’s very much like picking out the threads of a cross stitch sampler when you miscounted.
This is not helping me in my goal to pick up speed with the writing. 
I need to get it right the first time. I thrive under pressure, especially deadlines. On the day I promised myself I would not get up from the chair until I finished writing the book, I wrote 26 pages. 
I think this may be my problem. I need to impose a deadline with a consequence, either positive or negative. 
Of course, if a certain publisher wanted to impose a deadline, that would be fine, too.
So do you thrive under pressure, or do you prefer working at your own speed?
Michelle posted in Writing @ 9:06 pm | Viewed 713 times
Mary Says:
Self-imposed deadlines are good. That’s how I’ve written so much. I just finished one yesterday!! Come by and enter my contest–chocolate and free books.
Danica Says:
Yes, but if it snows, won’t you also have your own kiddos underfoot?
I tend to thrive under pressure.
Bonnie Ferguson Says:
I’ve done both, thrived under pressure and worked at my own speed. :confused2:
Kelly Says:
I find if I’m editing from critiques, sometimes I can edit my voice out of the piece. I usually don’t realize I’m doing it until a reread, but then I have to go back and work it back in. I’m getting better now at taking crits and deciding if I want to take the advice or not and examining the reasons for doing so before I hack my work to pieces.
Good luck with the contemporary paranormal!
Melissa Says:
You need a personal mental health day without the kids and the husband. I need one, too!
I think I do better under pressure. When I had an agent request my full, I really buckled down and got to work. Without that pressure, I tend to think, eh, I’ll do it later. That’s why I’m looking forward to having deadlines imposed on me from an editor. I think that will make me work that much faster.
Larissa Says:
Depending on the circumstance I usually thrive under pressure.
However, when it comes to writing…ugh. I’m more PRODUCTIVE under pressure, but I also tend to crack. If I have to do something well, like editorially requested revisions, I do them, but I always feel like all my talent has gone out the window because I second-guess myself.
Basically, if I’m not confident in my skills, I fall apart under pressure. If I’m confident, I thrive.
Fingers still crossed for your M&B story!!!!!
Stephanie Says:
Definitely pressure. I’m the study the night before the exam/finish the book after it’s been requested by an editor type of gal. But I’m learning to not do that as much and trying to keep a good, consistent pace.
Good luck with it, Michelle. You’ll figure it out. if you have that much passion for it, you’ll get it done..
Bosey
Rene Says:
Hmmm…in school I always worked better under pressure, but now? There are so many other immediate things to worry about. But I probably should try deadlines, but I might give it a month.