Saturday, October 23, 2010

Every day is Groundhog Day for writers


Thanks to everyone who sent good wishes to Daughter. Normal life has resumed here. Half term is nearly over. Daughter and Husband are preparing for piano exams; Son has done all his homework (I think and hope) and Daughter is finishing homework after her unscheduled days sick. We’ve done some essential furniture shopping – cheap and cheerful for the kids and something nicer for our communal areas. (For new readers, we moved apartment about six weeks ago and yes, we’re still in chaos.) I've attempted to sort my office out. I emptied all the cupboards and... well, then I lost interest and just left most of it on the floor, the sofa, in bags...

I haven’t been reading blogs or replied to comments here since Daughter was sick and for that I apologise. I will try and get around to it soon.

I am trying to prioritise my editing. Since I've introduced my public humiliation announcements I am indeed humiliated. I’ve got stuck in some sort of Groundhog Day for writers. Edit Hell is on a loop. It doesn’t matter where in my manuscript I start revising when I look at the page number to check out my progress it’s ALWAYS between pages 36-9. Arggggh.

Public humiliation tactic: progress (or otherwise) on my edit: page 36-9 

18 comments:

Denise Covey said...

Hey Jenny, I'm glad your daughter's okay now. I'm sure everyone understands that family comes first. Have fun editing. I'm doing the same when I'm not blogging!

Jenny Beattie said...

Thanks L'Aussie. Aaagh though to the editing.

Queenie said...

For me, editing is not a linear process. I usually end up with a to-do list at the end of each draft, which grows when I re-read it after a break. It might include general points like 'Extract all dialogue by character and make sure voices are consistent' as well as specific points e.g. 'X's physical appearance is not mentioned anywhere, get this in somewhere' or 'Foreshadow Y's ability to use a gun before the shooting scene'. Then I work through my to-do list, rather than working through the script from page 1 to 'the end'. I know what you mean about every day being Groundhog Day for writers, though - I feel like that about my current first draft. What, you mean I have to write 1000 words again today? But I did that yesterday, aarrgghh.

Unknown said...

Keep going, Jennie, you'll get there. Very pleased to hear that family is well. Carole.

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

Editing can seem never-ending at times and some weeks are more difficult to get on with the writing than others.

Glad to hear you're daughter is much better and tackling the homework.

Marieke said...

Glad to hear your daughter's feeling better! :)


Enjoy editing! :D

Jenny Beattie said...

Queenie, aargh. It's so horrible and I don't know what I'm doing. But thank you for the reassurance.

Carole, thank you - on both counts.

Debs, thanks. She's made quite the miraculous recovery. Amazing.

Marieke, thank you and arrrggggh - I'll try.

Hart Johnson said...

Glad your daughter is on the mend--OH the editing hell loop! I'm in it too. Oddly, I am in process on two at once--am just getting back reader feedback on one that is on deadline, but the other I was TRYING to get through a round on while my peers had it...

I am at the editing round where I read and mark up the little stuff, but make NOTES on the big stuff that I will do next round--it isn't going too badly, 50 pages left, then it will sit while I clean the other for penultimate round and then WriMo... (it's possible I'm insane)

Anonymous said...

D'oh I've just worked out that your avatar isn't some medieval bangle but a tea stain. LOL!
Glad your daughter is on the mend.
Maybe your pages 36-9 need ditching or shelving and rewriting after a long walk.Thanks for following my blog :O)

A Pen In Neverland: Angela Peña Dahle said...

Yes ditto about your daughter being well again. I hope that you will be able to sort out the editing tussle you feel you are in. I've been editing too between blogging and getting ready for a gazillion things! Life is what happens when we are busy right--without it we wouldn't be writers so don't feel horribly obligated to your blog when family needs you. We understand. For me, editing is fun, but I too dislike it when I feel I am stuck somewhere with it. Take a little break and edit a different WIP, or maybe do something fun. Sometimes crafts or doing silly/goofy activities with my children pull me out of my editing tussle.

Anonymous said...

Everything has its time. Glad your daughter is better now. Editing is the hardest part of writing for sure. Words need a rest too sometimes.

Su said...

And as much as that movie amuses me, I'd hate to be stuck in it. Hope it gets better soon (and those kids stay well!).

erica and christy said...

Sorry to hear you've been going through a tough time. It's nice to "meet" you. We'll visit again soon. christy

Jenny Beattie said...

Thank you Hart. It's mind boggling isn't it? I'm amazed you can manage two at the same time.

Madeleine, that's so funny. I love the idea of a medieval bangle; perhaps I should get one made? I think I've solved it... a scene did need axing open and merging with an earlier episode. Fingers crossed.

Angela, thank you. A good night's sleep did it for me! I got up early and hacked it all up and it's looking lots fresher now.

Kangaroobee, it's recognising when the words need a break, isn't it? I certainly find editing tough.

Thanks Su. I have to say I couldn't even finish that movie; not my kind of thing.

Erica and Christy, thank you.

Lane Mathias said...

Just catching up. Hope your daughter is fully recovered now. Sounds like quite a scare!

Jenny Beattie said...

Lane, she is thank you. It came on really dramatically but with antibiotics it also went away quickly.

Suzanne Ross Jones said...

I'm glad you daughter's better. Remeber to take care of yourself, too.

XX

Unknown said...

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CD