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Oct.15,2012Weekends are never long enough. I feel a little like Garfield today.
Photo from jokeroo.com and garfield.com
Probably because I haven’t had a cup of coffee yet.
Oh, wait. I can’t drink coffee. Well, that might explain it. Thank God for tea.
Anyhow, I thought I’d give you all a writing update. Yes, you read right. A WRITING update.
I bet your wondering how in the world I even have time for writing. I wonder that myself, sometimes.
Between a 9-6 job, various writing group activities, martial arts classes, conferences, and family responsibilities, there never seems to be enough time left over for actual writing.
But I do make time for writing. (Though my blog posts on book signings, writing events and outings indicate otherwise.) After all, without it, my dreams of publication will go up in smoke.
So here’s the update on my WIP. After last month’s Working Writers Retreat, I ran my entire manuscript through the shredder.
JUST KIDDING! I would never, ever do that. The very thought makes me shudder.
Actually, I simply set aside my manuscript. I let the feedback I got marinate in my head, and tried to gain some emotional distance from my work. I thought I’d do that for two weeks at the most, but as you all know, life has a way of piling on more work when we least expect it.
Anyway, two weeks became a month, and this week, I FINALLY started on the next round of revisions. And it’s going great. I’ve gained so much distance from my story, I’m able to slash off entire paragraphs like a cold blooded assassin.
Plus, I missed working on my story so much that every day, I feel excited when I take out my manuscript and my blue editing pen. (In case you’re wondering, I use the .5mm Needletip Pentel Energel pen. It’s amazing.)
The whole month I wasn’t working on my draft, I felt anxious. I kept thinking, “I’ll never get published at this rate.” I was going crazy because I knew writing should be my priority, but I was so busy with a lot of things, that I kept on pushing off my editing dates.
I’m so glad I’m working on my novel again. I feel right again.
So, the moral of the story is: Set aside your work to gain emotional distance, but don’t set it aside for so long that you begin to forget your writing goals.
This October is definitely revision/editing month, so I’m apologizing to all of you in advance for my sporadic visits to your blogs. I’ll be able to visit you more often once I’m done with this manuscript. I’d like you all to know that your messages do encourage me and you are all awesome, patient friends.
I’m sure you’re curious about my WIP. (I know I’m super curious about all my bloggy friends’ stories 
)
Great! I can give you a little taste of what I’m working on, thanks to M Pax, who tagged me last Friday for the Look Challenge.
The Rules? Count up the LOOKs in your current WIPs and choose your favorite three. Then post the paragraphs around the word.
So here’s a sampling from my Work In Progress:
It looked more defined now–a perfect, inverted triangle at the very center of her palm. The scar pulsed with heat beneath her touch, and the memory that had been haunting her since she’d turned sixteen, flashed in her mind. Her four year-old fingers traced an inverted triangle on her father’s palm, and his soft voice whispered in her ear, “One day, you will have one, too.”
He was about the same age as her. His dark hair, in need of a trim, half-covered his black-rimmed eyeglasses. Beneath his long coat he wore dark pants, a white shirt, and a blue sweater. All he needed was to slick back his hair and add a bow tie to complete the preppy look.
Nalia sprang for the door, but Mr. Clean caught her easily. He locked an arm around her neck, his hand reaching for her necklace. “I’ve been looking for this key for years, and now it seems the Goddess herself has sent it to me.”
Well, there it is, my three “look” paragraphs. Now I’m supposed to tag five other writers.
I’m tagging these five beautiful ladies because I’m super curious to read a sample of what they’re writing nowadays!
How about the rest of you? How’s your writing going?
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That’s a cool meme. I’d be afraid to find out how many times I’ve used the word ‘look’.
I find it’s always a good thing to take time away from your manuscript because after a few weeks, you can go back and do the heartless slashing thing because the stuff that needs to go stands out like very sore thumbs.
And I love that you told us about your editing pen. I personally have been using a Papermate InkJoy 550 RT. Red, of course. Or purple.
Best of luck with your revisions!
Difficult to keep up with everything while editing! My critique partners have my manuscript and I’m eager to get it back and start working on it again.
I’m working like crazy on the new MS (without an outline or a safety net and going just fine so far
I’m glad you’ve managed to get back to work on your WIP – and judging from your “look” examples it looks a great read with plenty of action. It’s always good to take a step back for a week or two from your manuscript because then you look at it with new eyes. But I understand you got a bit anxious
I like this meme! And yes, putting some time between yourself and your writing is always a good thing. Keep up the good work!
You’re right – stepping away is a good thing. I like doing it, as it gives me enough distance to look at it from a much more objective perspective. Good luck girl!
So glad that you’re back in the groove. It’s hard to get back in. But the time away will help you with editing this month.
Hmm… “look” is one of my favorite WIP words – LOL. I’ll see what I can come up with!
Good for you for getting that special editing pen out. That’s a cool challenge with the word, look.
Your little samples are intriguing.
wait… that preppy look… it’s kinda like you described me…. except that me has no hair
)
Just the thought of running a manuscript through the shredder made me shudder. I too was inspired by the Working Writer’s Retreat and am making October my, ‘Git Er Done’ month.
Thanks for reminding me how great it feels to revise and inspiring us!
I love that feeling of being excited by my WIP – that’s how I know it’s going well! Enjoy the process
I love marinating my stories – it’s always so exciting when you get to dive back in. I’m about to have another look at a story I wrote in August for Camp NaNo – can’t wait!!
I think a break between writing and revisions is necessary. I usually take several weeks off before final edits after sending my ms to the editor. It definitely helps to see w/ fresher eyes. I’m intrigued about the triangles and all. Hope u publish soon, so I can read the rest.
I had been having some problems with my WIP, so I stopped working on it and did everything but write. Last week I had the breakthrough I needed. Today was awesome
I’m deep in revisions too – but I really like that idea of looking up the “look” in a story and the three examples you shared are quite intriguing! esp. the “someday you will have one too”
Emotional distance is so important. Funny thing is it’s hard to realize you need it, until something kind of forces it on you. At least, that’s what happens to me sometimes~!
Sounds like all is going great with the revisions. You go, Nutschell! I like your excerpts, but look here now, Missy, you sure surprised me by listing my name with those fabulous writers! I hadn’t heard about this meme before. This is a fun one. I’ll look through my WIP and see what I find to share! Thanks, Nutschell!
That’s a great reminder about setting the work aside but not too long. Good luck with the revisions/edits!
Stepping away is needed sometimes just to get clarity – esp when you have too much on:) I’m editing mode right now too.
Loved getting a taste oy your WIP! It sounds interesting. I am so glad M Pax tagged you. I think your advice is excellent. Distance is so important it can help make revisions much easier. I also love those pens (so many good colors to choose from, too). Happy revising. I am glad you are getting time to work on your dream!
Wuh-ha?! I want to read you WIP! Sounds intriguing and exciting!
Nice! I love reading about people’s books. I got tagged, too, and will be posting about it on Wednesday.
And distance is your friend when it comes to being able to view your ms with fresh eyes.
That’s a fun tag! I need to review my WIP, can’t tell you how many times I used the word look. Interesting stuff, really makes you think.
I’ve been writing first thing in the morning lately before I do anything else. 5 AM to 7-8 AM.
Ha!
you sound just like me trying to get wip finished!
good luck and keep on writing!
That “look” thing looks like fun! I liked your snips. And I always feel better when I get back into the swing of writing/editing, too!
Sounds like you’re off to a great start! Good luck with the rest of your WIP!
This is a great idea. We do overuse some words. I’m very much into ‘ing’ verbs when they should be ‘ed’ verbs. Grr. I overuse ‘look’ too.
I would say your name is intriguing and appropriate for a writer
. Thank for visiting my blog 
shredder! say it aint so!!
taking a step back is necessary. and i’m glad you feel right again!
cool look!
I’m never able to give myself long enough away from my wip to distance myself from it – I’m always too anxious to get back to it!
I almost threw up when I read that line about running your MS through the shredder. *gasp* I’m so glad you were kidding.
Best of luck to your revisions. Nail those pages!
And if it’s all the same, I chucked an MS from a window before, but that was before I understood it’s not cool to do that. Glad you were joking.
I have to put my stories down sometimes, too. You need to just step away for clarity I think. Martial arts classes? How badass you are! I love it.
Thanks for tagging me.
YES, that’s what it’s like–if we let our day jobs and other activities take over, we’ll never achieve our writing goals. Glad you’re back to writing again. I’m amazed what you accomplish most days.