I couldn’t think of a topic (again) so I decided to write about what’s going on in my writing life right now. I’m in the middle of a huge book rewrite. The biggest, most complex one I’ve ever done. One that made me ask, do I really want to be a writer? This is way too much work. This is what I get for writing something ambitious: my first sci/fi, my first ménage, and my first m/m. And of course there’s a rapidly approaching deadline. I think next time I’ll do something easier like a contemporary where a guy goes over to a woman’s house...
I’m happy to say I may actually pull off this rewrite and on time too. It’s definitely a better book now. So how did I do it? I put my nose to the grindstone. Well, let me back up. In the beginning when faced with the whole mess, I panicked. So the first step was to stop hyperventilating.
After that I made a schedule, writing a chapter under each day on the calendar. And I stuck to it. In order to attend the family picnic, where no writing would get done, I doubled up the day before. Some days/chapters were relatively easy while others required major surgery and lots of time. It hasn’t been easy. On June 25th my dentist told me I have to get my remaining wisdom teeth extracted and two pop icons from my growing up years died. I had a really hard time getting through my chapter that day. Concentration was zilch.
Today, I’m still chugging along, glad the monstrous project is almost over. Meanwhile, things are piling up. My group blog is doing a big promo workshop, I have to vanquish pirates, and need to do some career planning. Not to mention the social events I’ve put off. (Luckily, I have understanding friends.) And of course it’s summer and I’m supposed to be having some fun. Huh? What’s that? I feel like I’ll be stuck in this book forever and that my writing career is stuck.
Despite all that, I’m keeping my nose to the grindstone. The sooner I get it done the sooner I can hopefully move forward again. I also reward myself at the end of a book project by buying some music downloads. I think this project is worth a lot of songs.
Afton Locke
www.aftonlocke.com
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8 comments:
Oh, Afton! You are gonna do it all...and you are gonna do it magnificently! Your first book was a smash, and you have all that it takes to do this one! YAY, Afton!
You can do it, Afton! I'm sure this book will be awesome when it's done.
You'll feel such a sense of relief when this is done. That's the hardest thing about all of this...self discipline. Think I need to hang out around you a whole lot more. Maybe that will rub off. :-)
Yep, that's the way to do it! Put off other things for awhile and concentrate on your book. We have to learn to say "NO" when we don't have time for other things...can always catch up later with understanding friends and family.
Writing is a career and we can live with dust bunnies a little longer, eat sandwiches for dinner, etc., while we finish our books.
Nice blog...finish your book!
Well done on seeing it through Afron! Rewrites are a major pain but in my experience, they're always worth it!
Thanks, guys! It's great to have cheerleaders. Maybe I'll see you at Romanticon, Regina, though I will probably be acting like a wild party woman and not very self-disciplined.
Good for you girl. sounds like you're almost there.
I admire your dedication. My work habits are not good right now. I've just bought a new car, RAV4, am planning on selling my beautiful home and retiring somewhere relaxing where, hopefully, I shall have more time to write.
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