Well, WTW, that blessed piece of literary achievement, is back on the drawingboard rather than winging its way to New York. *Insert your favorite obscenities* And since the CP I just got it from occasionally peeps in here, I'm going to give a great big huge disclaimer-it is NOT her fault. I am NOT mad at her. She is NOT on my death list.
Basically, the things she pointed out as being problematic are the exact same things pointed out as problematic years ago when I shelved the project. I THOUGHT I FIXED THEM. *sobs* And the thing is, I absolutely see where she's coming from. It would be so much easier if I could say that she's a crack smoking moron who needs a mental checkup. As I read her comments, I really couldn't find anything that I could say, "You're WRONG!"
So I don't know what to do. I've spent the past year trying to fix this book and make it into something sellable, something I wouldn't be ashamed to send in. Apparently, I've failed. Worse, I don't feel like I've learned anything, because I have not fixed it. I'd at least feel better if OTHER things were wrong. But no, it's the same stuff. In fact, I'd lost her by page FIVE. Five. As in, the five years I've been trying to sell a book. Must be my lucky number. :)
I'm not quitting, I'm not even thinking of it. I'm just wondering what I'm doing, continuing in this same rut. Is it worth wasting another year on? And how can I keep all the work from being wasted?
Do you think they'd buy a book where the heroine dies? I could have so much fun slaughtering her.
6 comments:
Awe, Dream. I know it must be frustrating. I wish I had some wisdom to hand out but hey, you're far more experienced than me at this whole writing thing.
Just hang in there, take a deep breath and maybe pretend for a bit that this is a new story. Don't start from scratch but don't let yourself be hemmed in by what you wrote in the past. I've done that a lot in my meager little writing efforts. I get so caught up in thinking that there's no other way for a particular scene to go that I can't see something better just waiting to take it's place.
Maybe you should just delete those problem parts out, put it away for a bit and then pull it back out when you feel like the muse is speaking.
Whatever you do, don't get discouraged. If this is a story you believe in don't give up on it. Hang in there.
(((hugs)))
And hey, if it helps, go ahead and write an alternate ending in which the heroine dies an excrutiating death. hehe
Thanks Jana. Maybe I will try that.
"Is it worth wasting another year on?"
Um... YES! Did you forget the whole God thing??
Heather, if I were you, I'd be really careful what I said to a homicidal woman who will eventually be mailing you a surprise. ;)
LOL You'll have to remember where you put the stufff to mail me first :-p
And you know I'm right...
Don't tempt me. It's sitting on my desk.
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