It came back today.
Hugging the Rock. My middle grade verse novel.
It’s time for round 4 of revisions.
I’m petrified. It’s been through copy editing. A wonderful librarian has read it and given my editor some valuable feedback. I have a letter from my editor giving me her ideas on how to accomplish the changes and I have her faith that I will be able do it. She hasn’t changed her mind about publishing it and Tricycle is still handing out teasers of “The First Day” at ALA in San Antonio next weekend. But still I’m worried about messing up the book, the voice, the utter honesty of it all which is what I know draws people into the story in the first place.
Sigh.
It’s time for a lot of positive self-talk if I want to be able to accomplish it in the week I have and not screw up the book in the process. I offer a few favorite quotes on the process of revision and assorted commentary.
“Make no mistake: Writing is an aggressive act because you aren’t leaving well enough alone.” Bonni Goldberg
(Yeah, and I’m one of those people who always picks at a scab because I can’t believe it’s really healed.)
“You must convince yourself that you are working in clay and not marble, on paper and not eternal bronze; let that first sentence be as stupid as it wishes. No one will rush out and print it as it stands. Just put it down; then another.” Jacques Barzun
(Well sure, that would be nice but it’s hard to let down my guard and write a stupid sentence because as soon as you do that, you can be judged.)
“Revision is one of the exquisite pleasures of writingโฆ.” Bernard Malamud.
(I actually believe this one but find it easier to believe when I am DONE with revising.)
“The great thing about revision is that it’s your opportunity to fake being brilliant.” Will Shetterly
(Well yes, but about now I’m telling myself that brilliance is in the eyes of the deceiver.)
And a couple on poetry because Hugging the Rock is, after all, a novel in verse. A novel written in verse years ago when the genre was so new that editors feared taking a chance on it because they didn’t think the genre would stick around.
“Good poems are meant to complicate our experience.” J.D. McClatchy
(I’ll say this about poetry, it has complicate my experience while at the same time helping me to understand my experiences.)
“. . .I speak because I am shattered.” Louise Gluck
(Need I really say any more about this? Not everyone writes from a broken place within them but many of us probe the broken places for shards of wisdom. )
I’m gonna be the little engine that could.
I think.
I hope.
I know I’ve written books before, published books before, but this one, this one is different.
Because this time, it’s personal.
Good luck. I know you can do this. I love your quotes. Sometimes when I’m revising I think of what I’ve heard Nancy Werlin say: “Trust the process.”
Thanks! I love that push from Nancy. I can hear her voice saying the same thing.
I love those quotes, Susan. Deep breaths. You can do this. I love the snippets I’ve seen so far, and I can’t wait to read the whole thing.
I really appreciate the support. Thanks.
I love those quotes, Susan. Deep breaths. You can do this. I love the snippets I’ve seen so far, and I can’t wait to read the whole thing.
excittttttttttttttttttttttttttting!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hang in there.
You can do this. Make a huge cup of tea and plunge. I know the feelings you describe though. I’ve turned on the computer, then turned it off so many times. But I’m trying to plunge more now, and if I don’t get the right poems, at least I’m eliminating some threads. I’m sure that at some point it will click. And it will with you too. Just keep that BIC for a while, and fortify yourself with pleasentries while you do it so you don’t overwhelm yourself in frustration. You are a great writer. This will work. AFter all, the hard part is done. You have the contract!
Re: Hang in there.
You know what? Sometimes the darn BIC is the very hardest part.
You can do this. Just bludgeon that voice in your head that interjected the stuff in blue (above) into silence, and you’ll be fine! ๐
Thanks. Isn’t bludgeon a terrific word? That’s just what I want to do to that voice.
Cant wait to get this one. I’ll pick up a teaser at ALA next weekend!
Don
http://devast.blogspot.com
Thanks, Don. Man I wish I was going to be there too! Take a look for my Robert Smalls book over at Lerner/Millbrook too!
Good luck. It might be a scary prospect, but as others have pointed out, it’s also very exciting!
Thanks. Yep, it’s that balance of fear and the positive adrenaline jump.
Good luck. It might be a scary prospect, but as others have pointed out, it’s also very exciting!
I am SOOOO looking forward to reading your MG!!!! ๐ YAY YOU!
Thanks, Debbi! Funny how this one feels like a first one all over again. I guess because it is a first novel. (As long as I don’t count the two that only sold to Germany IN German.)
I am SOOOO looking forward to reading your MG!!!! ๐ YAY YOU!
Thanks, Debbi! Funny how this one feels like a first one all over again. I guess because it is a first novel. (As long as I don’t count the two that only sold to Germany IN German.)
You WILL do it, and when you’ve finished, you will feel such joy and pride.
Thanks. And I know you’re right. As I was reading the copy edited manuscript I really felt the pride welling up. I love this book. I really do.
Slow, deep breaths. You can do it.
We’re all cheering you on!
Thanks, Jo! I love all the group energy I’m soaking up from all of you.
Slow, deep breaths. You can do it.
We’re all cheering you on!
Thanks, Jo! I love all the group energy I’m soaking up from all of you.
Go for it!! You’ll do it justice!!
Thanks, I hope so. I’m sure going to give it my best shot.
I understand the nerves. But you will do it.
Thanks! It’s all got to be pretty fresh in your mind since finishing yours, too. Amazing what we go through to bring these books to life, isn’t it?
I understand the nerves. But you will do it.
Re: Hang in there.
You know what? Sometimes the darn BIC is the very hardest part.