I’ve been revising like crazy lately and feeling the need to share a little bit about it with you. Every writer has their own unique way of doing writerly things and revising is no different. I know this is going to sound weird and if you’re my agent or my editor…ahem…I’m not sure you want to read this.
Now, I’m not going to go as far as to say that this is my “method” because honestly, this is my first time getting first pass, line edits and I’m not a 100% convinced that this is how I would handle this all the time, but I’m going to admit something scary…
I never read through my editor’s notes before digging in.
*gasp*
Why–you ask???
Well, it’s complicated, but it always is with me.
First off, I was lucky enough that my editor gave my lots of warm fuzzies in advance. I knew going in, that she felt good about what I’d sent her. If she hadn’t done that, I think I would have been tearing through the pages, searching for approval. Because, ummm I need approval to prevent me from crumbling in to an incoherent, tear-stained, sloppy, dysfunctional heap.
Second, I had the first seven chapters a little bit before the rest, and I’d found a revision groove that I was comfortable with and just kept at it.
Lastly, I NEVER flip to the end of a story before I get to the last page and in a weird way, Anica’s notes are like a little book embedded within my book. I’m enjoying the excitement of turning each page and seeing how she reacted to my words. She writes interesting comments, funny thoughts and gives great guidance and I know it’s sounds stupid, but I feel like every time I sit down, we’re bonding over this book that we both care about so much. It’s such a personal and special interaction–I don’t want it to end. So I’ve been doling out the pages, one at a time.
Could there be a down side to this? Oh, there could be more than one. And don’t think it hasn’t crossed my mind. I remember back in elementary school when I failed this test…
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NAME: ___________________________________________________________________________
1. Read all of the following directions before you do anything.
2. Print your name, last name first then your first name and middle initial (if you have one), at the top of the page.
3. Draw a line through the word “all” in direction 1.
4. Underline the word “directions” in direction 1.
5. In direction 2, circle the words “your first name.”
6. In direction 3, place an “X” in front of the word “through.”
7. Cross out the numbers of the even-numbered directions above.
8. In direction 7, cross out the word “above” and write the word “below” above it.
9. Write “Following directions is easy” under your name at the top of the page.
10. In direction 9, add the following sentence after the word “page”: “That’s what you think!”
11. Draw a square in the upper right-hand corner of this page.
12. Draw a triangle in the lower left-hand corner of this page.
13. Place a circle in the center of the square.
14. Place an “x” in the center of the triangle.
15. Now that you have read all of the directions as instructed in direction 1, follow directions 2 and 16 only.
16. Please do not give away what this test is about by saying anything or doing anything to alert your classmates. If you have reached this direction, make believe you are still writing. See how many of your classmates really know how to follow directions.
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*Sigh* Maybe you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Perhaps I’m smart to turn of the shoulds and embrace what works for me. Or maybe, what works today, won’t necessarily work for tomorrow and I’ll have to make some changes. But tomorrow isn’t here yet. And I like today. It’s working for me. It’s something worth enjoying, a gift–maybe that’s why they call it the present.
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LOL! I remember taking that same test in school. Boy, did I feel dumb afterward.
The first thing I always do with a critique now (whether from one of my CPs or from my editor) is read through everything. And then I make myself wait a little while, to digest it all. I try hard not to dwell on any of the big stuff, but rather just let my subconscious ruminate while I do other things. It's amazing how much more productive this makes me when I go back to make changes.
It's interesting to see how you read the notes!
I think I'm like Linda. I read everything, and then give myself time to digest. 😉
And this is the first time ever I see that test!! 😛
It's so funny, I've normally always done that. Let the "boys in the basement" start working ahead of time. (and I did that with the first 7 chapters) but once I got the new stuff I didn't want to wait-just plowed right back in. LOL!