I frequently blog about the writing process, so the most recent posts will show up here. Also, I compiled a list of helpful resources for fiction writers, so check out this link if you are curious.
What I’m Writing–drawn from my weekly check-ins
After a final push, I have reached the end of the tunnel. Well, the edge of the end. I have finished the revising process and am diving into editing, a much quicker process (knock on wood). This is such a great feeling, as if I haven’t been kidding myself that this project was leading somewhere. It’s also daunting because it is almost time to share the work, which is a different kind of hard. For this challenge, I am grateful this blog has given me a space to practice sharing my words with others. I know what I post here isn’t perfect (nor are my novels), but it’s okay anyway.
Still at it. I am making slow and steady progress on my revisions. Last week, I saw light at the end of the tunnel, but this week the tunnel got longer. I will keep at it, possibly finding creative ways to keep going, since it may take longer than expected (of course it will).
Slow and steady wins the race, I hope, and I am keeping at it, mostly clearing away minor revisions and sometimes accidentally discovering ways to address larger concerns that were, until that moment, sources of discomfort and uncertainty because I couldn’t quite identify what was wrong, just that something was wrong. The key to handling those challenges, for me at least, is to try not to freak out and just focus on what I can fix, bit by bit, and slowly more pieces fall into place. Well, the word fix might be an exaggeration, but improvements are possible.
Sometimes I lie to myself to pretend the task is small. I’m still doing clean-up work across the series. Some of it is still mostly easy, searching and finding key terms to ensure I’ve been consistent in how I describe them. Some of it starts as a simple fix and explodes into a lengthier revision, which is fine except that sometimes I start to feel anxious if the task feels too large. I sometimes have to lie to myself and say, nope, don’t worry, this isn’t a big deal. And/or just do what you can and let go of what you can’t.
Check possible meanings for made-up words: I took some time this week to look up possible meanings for words I had invented for futuristic concepts and names of aliens. There were several that I had to change based on embarrassing double meanings, sigh. A helpful exercise.
Random edits: Good news, I’m done analyzing characters in this multiple-book revision, and I have moved to fixing tons of random concerns as quickly as possible. It feels good to work on something a little different, plus to make more progress because some of these changes can be completed quickly.
Character edits: I’ve been drafting a YA/SF series, and right now, I’m trying to make my main character descriptions consistent and watching for Mary Sue/Marty Su tropes. I’ve analyzed some of my character arcs, exploring if and how each changes over time. One intriguing suggestion came from Erin Bowman on Substack, who recommends that your hero be wrong about something when the novel begins.
After dabbling with unnecessarily elaborate systems to analyze my characters and their arcs, I realized that all I needed to do was search for their names and then read those parts of the book, preferably all in the same day. The work helps with just editing in general, catching small glitches along the way, though I have to watch that I don’t get bogged down in that. In some ways, this reminds me of my goal to “Make it achievable.” If I try to tackle the revision of fixing everything all at once, I am less likely to succeed (and more likely to procrastinate). Instead, I have to manage my attention to focus on one or two concerns at a time. And keep moving.
Still, I’m always pleasantly surprised that as I engage in what I assume will be superficial editing, deeper insights still arise.
reader. writer. 