I’ve
spent this entire week improving CABIN FEVER based on the first-round edits,
comments and suggestions from my editor. I’ve known for some time that I enjoy
editing my manuscripts, and this week provided further evidence.
Before
receiving the communication from my editor, I had been working on the first
draft of my next Seamus McCree novel, producing about 47,500 words. To accomplish
that, I set daily goals. Some days the goal was to write at least 1,000 words;
other days it was to spend a minimum two hours writing. I’m a pantser, so first
drafts come slowly for me—especially the first half of a novel when I spend a
lot of time thinking about where the characters want to take the story. As I
get closer to the end, my writing quickens because I have a better feel for the
characters and plot.
The
week before this one I took a short break from writing to participate in a
bridge tournament. My plan was to return home late Thursday night. On the way
home, I ran over some road debris and got a flat tire. At ten o’clock at night
in the sparsely populated area north of Green Bay, Wisconsin there are not a
lot of places to get a tire fixed. I chose to stop in the next decent sized
town, Crivitz, and spend the night so I could get the tire repaired in the
morning rather than try traveling a hundred rainy miles on a donut.
Greeting
my delayed arrival home was an email with the editor’s comments on CABIN FEVER.
The next day I spent eight hours editing. Each following day, with the
exception of the day I had to go into town for various reasons, I spent at
least eight hours on the work.
I put
off weeding the wildflower garden of maple trees and thistle. I put off
exercise. I put off reading. I put off long walks in the woods. I put off
writing this blog. I focused on the manuscript until I became physically tired
and knew I could no longer give my best efforts. Only then did I move to other
activities. Time flew while I was working.
This
time flying is a key to finding those things we really enjoy. It’s common
wisdom, caught in the expression “Time Flies When You’re Having Fun.” Yet, it
is wisdom I often forget, and so I treasure this opportunity to recall it
again.
What
are the activities that cause you to wonder where the time went?
~ Jim
PS - The illustration is the mock-up of the cover I suggested to the publisher. Let me know what you think of it.
I love to be engrossed in writing a story, scene or chapter. Time passes without my being aware of it. The only other activity that comes close is being on the beach. My husband and I have been known to start the day at the beach at 6 a.m. and finish around 6-7 p.m. I wish I could write for as long, but I have to admit that after five or six hours, I'm mentally exhausted after writing--but that's a good thing.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean! I've had huge chunks of time disappear when I'm sucked into my writing!
ReplyDeleteLike you, Jim, I'm a pantser and have trouble getting going on the first part even though I know the plot and who did the dire deed, but as I progress I do better. I also like to edit. Every time I reread my work I make changes. I think this could go on forever, However, I could never stare at a computer screen for so many hours without a terrific headache so I break up my writing time with things like weeding in gardening season or a little cleaning or reading in the winter.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great feeling to get so deeply into a story. I also love the editing phase - sometimes I think I like editing more than writing....
ReplyDeleteCool cover! Did you get to choose?
Jim, I love the cover, too. The writing can be invigorating, but meeting the challenge of editing, and accomplishing it, can give you the most incredibly satisfying feeling. Congratulations, Jim. Excelsior!
ReplyDeleteAthletes like writers can get into the groove where everything gets easier and time passes quickly. Sometimes a really interesting conversation or class when I am learning can go as quickly as the times when writing flows.
ReplyDeleteSo the writers seem to agree that they can get lost in the work and that's a good thing.
ReplyDeleteHow about the readers?
As to the cover: This was my mock-up suggestion for the publisher. No decisions have been made, I'm just interested in what people think about it. If people love it, I can push and if they are just so-so, I can tuck it into my ever-increasing folder of things I've tried unsuccessfully to do!
~ Jim
I can't get lost in editing, but I can in first draft. That's my Nirvana. I don't think I could do that for 8 hours, though. OK, I know I couldn't!
ReplyDelete