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Monday, June 27, 2011

Hey! I learned Something

Sometimes a project just needs to sit. The problem is that you're likely not going to know that at the time.

A few months ago, I sent my "finished" manuscript to the publisher. And they sent it back. The acquisitions editor had a few suggestions that would make it better. At the time, I was disappointed. I thought it was done. I'd been over the manuscript several times, and even though it was shorter than my first book, I couldn't find things to add or where to add them where they wouldn't sound forced or trite.

Life happens, and though I worked on improving the story initially, I admit I haven't done much with it in the last weeks. School let out, for one. That about stops all my writing in its tracks. But that doesn't mean the project has been far from my thoughts, and the suggestions I got from the editor have been lurking there as well. A week or so ago I even opened up the Word file and realized I'd left out an important plot point. Sigh.

Late Saturday night I had the epiphany I didn't even know I'd been waiting for. Suddenly, the sub-plots I needed and the characterization that would flesh out the story just hit me. Mind you--I don't take credit for any of that. I know where my inspiration comes, and the fact that it was the evening I was preparing for church the next day is no coincidence.

Now, I'm really looking forward to working on the story. I know what it needs to make it better, and I know what I'm going to do. That's the greatest feeling.

10 comments:

Karlene said...

Awesome! Love it when that happens.

Lolawid said...

Yay for inspiration!!

Ru said...

Congrats :)

Cheri Chesley said...

Thanks! you guys are so sweet :)

Amie Borst said...

that happened to me with the last book i'd written. thought it was done. then after one little comment from a crit partner it was like i'd been hit in the head with an ephipany! the story ROCKS now!

BOOTY said...

I always leave "sitting time" in my schedule for every novel I work on. I write the rough draft, and let it sit. Then I edit and let it sit. A second edit, and send it off to readers. Go through their comments fixing stuff, and let it sit. Then the last go-over, and it's usually ready for publication. But I always make time for letting it sit while the subconscious mind does the work. It's a lot easier to write things down when the subconscious has done all the editing in the background, and all you have to do is type.

~Marie

Misty Moncur said...

Nothing wrong with a little constructive criticism. When I offer criticism on someone's work, it's because I think it's worth working on. I think inspiration is the same thing, like God is saying, "This is worth working on."

Maggie said...

Yay! I hope your changes flow fast and fit perfectly.

Hez Face said...

That's great! Congratulations. You're right about the timing of the inspiration, seems like it's usually Saturday night or Sunday. :)

--Heather Ostler

Cheri Chesley said...

Thanks, everyone! :)