Thank you Alex J. Cavanaugh for starting this group where us writers reveal our warts and cheer each other on. It's cheaper and more effective than therapy. It's not too late to join if you're interested. Just click on Alex's name and it'll take you to his blog.
I feel like a stuck record ... biting my nails with feelings of inadequacy. Probably what I talked about last month, too. Huh? It's deva ju. Yeah, I know the v and j are switched. The way I wrote it comes from a SG-1 episode. Any Stargate fans out there?
Oops, got distracted. Anyway, as I was saying, some days I just feel like I have no idea as to what I'm doing. I'm grateful I don't feel that way everyday. I have a suspicion I'm feeling that way now, because I'm getting closer to rolling out Stopover and it's making me nervous and seriously question whether it's ready for public consumption. I hate every sentence I write lately.
I also hope I can find an editor I can work with. Another source of stress. I worry I don't have that going right -- the editor thing. Maybe I need to say more, ask more questions. What do you do if you're unhappy with the editing you get? It's not about being corrected, I want to be corrected; it's what gets overlooked by an editor and isn't corrected that bothers me. I pay for that person to catch what I miss and to fix my commas and punctuation.
I know my comma usage is far from perfect. I'm not sure of my semi colon, colon and dash punctuation at times either. So, I really rely on an editor to get that right for me and I really need to rely on that person for longer work.
I know someone I trust to get all that right for me, the anxiety comes in as to whether I can afford the person I trust. I really hope I reach a point this year where costs won't be so much of an issue. Yeah, I worry a lot. The theme of this post ... And it's one of the major reasons I write -- writing sends all those stresses to the background where they belong.
Despite all this jabbering, you know what? I'll overcome all the doubts and insecurities and I'll publish The Backworlds, Stopover at the Backworlds' Edge, and The Augmentation of Hetty Locklear this year. I always get past them ... until the next time. This time will be no different. I'll inhale a deep breath and I'll publish and I'll keep going.
So what worries are on your plate this January? Any advice on working with editors? What do you do when the "every sentence sucks" blues come around?
47 comments:
I have an awesome editor, but he is pricey and booked for a while. Ugh. I worry about the perception of my novel, but we all do, right? Like you, I'll get through it.
Another problem I have is when I get it back from the editor, there is so much that needs to be fixed, it adds another layer of doubt to the equation.
"I hate every sentence I write lately" is exactly how I feel. Good luck with the editor.
I've been wondering lately how people who self publish find good editors. I mean, is there a directory somewhere I don't know about? Probably.
Anyway, I think it's awesome you've got so many works ready to come out!
I totally nodded my head in agreement about hating every sentence I write lately. I can really relate to that!
I'm not anywhere close to the stage of getting an editor yet, but I have wondered about that with self-publishing as well. There is so much to learn with all of this!
I'm excited for you with all the projects you have coming out, and I know all of them will be excellent. Can't wait to read them. :)
'I know my comma usage is far from perfect.'
Don't, get me, started.
M, I think that feeling like you don't know what you're doing is endemic to the writer's life -- one in which the only manager and boss is you. It's tough to navigate and I have a very hard time imagining a writer out there who never feels that way. Just do the next thing.
I think we are often harder on ourselves than anyone else will ever be. And for the punctuation things, consider reading A Dash of Style. Punctuation explained in a way that isn't boring.
Great post - new follower :)
Finding a good editor is difficult, and expensive. I honestly don't know how you self-published authors do it. Forking over all of your money. But you do your own covers, so that helps.
I guess when you put your heart, soul, blood, sweat, anxieties, and money into a project, your stress level will go up.
But once you get through will all of that, and you have your finished project, continue to relish that moment. It'll be worth it in the end!
Breathe deeply, pray, keep writing. Turn up music really loud and dance around the house . . . sometimes that helps drown out the "every sentence sucks" blues too.
Yes, Miranda, I think we all worry about the perception of our work. My husband tells me not to worry so much about cost. But on the business end, I do have to worry.
I'm glad it's not just me, Tonja. What keeps me going is knowing I keep growing and improving. We all do and will.
No, no directory, LG. One I heard about from another writer. Another is an old crit partner who does editing for a living ... the costly one. I don't doubt she's worth it. I know she is. Finding the right editor is trial & error. And we need to have more than one -- usually saving the pricey one for novels.
Most editors will do a sample for you, Julie. Take advantage of it. When starting out, cost is a bigger issue. As I was saying to LG, save the costly one for novels. Use cheaper and basic proofreading for shorts & free stuff, and rely on crit partners more heavily for those projects.
Thank you, Suze. We learn as we go along and round each bend of the road. Yes?
You're right, Tasha. I was once very good at the grammar thing. It seems to have tumbled out of my head. I seem to be better at it for my crit partners than myself. Can't figure out why that is.
Thank you, Jay. I saved money and had a start up fund ... all of which goes toward editing. I do save money by doing my own covers for now. And my brother is working on creating a program for me to do Kindle formatting. Will save me time and money. Hope he comes up with it soon. :)
Writing is a business. This is my business. Editing is a business cost. If I want my product to compete with the best, I have to make that investment. I guess the shift happened when I decided this was a career move and not a hobby.
Thank you, Tyrean. Regular exercise does help with all that. I need to dance around like a crazy person more often.
writing and nail biting absolutely go hand in hand. Absolutely.
But you get over it everytime. I think that's the most important thing. You're not paralysed by it.
I hope all goes well with finding a competent and affordable editor.
Happy New Year
Eh, commas shmommas ;) I say sprinkle 'em all over the page! And use an en dash where you should be using an em dash... or don't! Anarchy is the spice of writing ;) Oh, I was so NOT born to be an editor. All that nitpicking really frays my nerves!
I hope that you have a break in the monotony soon. Here's to moments of unanticipated inspiration!
That's why I'm glad I have my publisher's editor and my three critique partners. Between all of them, I hope we catch everything.
Deep breath - it will be all right.
And BIG Stargate fan here!
Mary, You've accomplished so much in a short period of time, and I know it will all be worth it! I know things are much easier from my side of the computer, but I truly believe your hard work will pay off. Besides, Alex said so. Julie
No wonder my nail polish never lasts then, Libby. lol
Thank you, Wendy. Happy New Year to you. It is important to find a way to work thru it.
I like your attitude, fairbetty. I'm hoping to survive the week...
A plus to going with a publisher, Alex. And I did consider it, but I've always been an independent. this path suits me.
Thank you for the encouragement, Julie. Somehow I'll manage and keep going.
As the dancing around the house like a crazy person has been covered already, I'll suggest eating chocolate. It solves most things.
Hey, the whole reason I started writing was because my worries were eating me from the inside and escaping into fictional worlds was by far the funnest way to deal with them. :)
Absolutely ask your editor questions when anything at all is unclear.
I haven't seen Stargate yet, but I've begun on Dr. Who - does that count for anything?
I had an editor I could not work with one time. I simply took my concerns to the publisher and we parted ways (the editor and I) on a professional basis. She reviewed my story rather than giving me actual critiques to help me.
I am facing many anxieties myself and wish you all the best. I know we'll make it through because we rock and so does our community out there. :)
I hope Kim gets a hold of you soon. If she doesn't, I'll message her via the phone and see if I can jar her out of her complacency.
M Pax, you've impressed me by taking the bull by the horn and going for it.
I believe there is another blogger looking to edit, Reece Hanzon. You can always give him a look up.
I'm so insecure, I still haven't joined! My goal for this year is to work harder at social networking, as I tend to avoid it like the plague.
The worries are natural. I love it that despite your fears, you're doing it anyway. Yay!
Play off the Page
I know just how you feel! I need a good editor because I love the comma, too! You might hate every sentence you hate right now but maybe it'll sound like the perfect sentence in a week or two!
I just step away and come back when the words are being more cooperative.
I've worked with a single editor in my fiction writing time and she made my stories so much better that I still didn't believe it was me that wrote them. Of course she helped a lot with my horrid comma usage, but she pointed out many storytelling issues that I would have missed otherwise.
I felt like I was lucky though, finding one you trust is hard because that can only really come through experience. Good luck, I'm sure you'll get someone your happy with.
Oh, I did watch Timer this week. It was very clever. My wife really enjoyed it too. Thanks for mentioning it on your website.
Yes, I rely on my own skills, which are well-honed after attending 16 years of Jesuit training (Catholic school.) But other than that, I work with a plethora of CPs, all of different skills, so they catch most everything I don't.
As for the every sentence sucks blues, I haven't experienced that with my writing yet. I know it will come soon enough, but I'm not nearly as experienced or prolific as you are, Mary.
As for me, no blues this January. For once, I'm feeling pretty confident, hence my own IWSG post. But that, too, will change before I know or want it.
If you have a copy of Strunk & White's Elements of Style, it has a few simple and straightforward rules for commas and semicolons. They cover most of what we need to know (I don't think we need to go around memorizing style guides for the minutia).
When something is sucking, I just keep writing because I know I can edit it later. Sometimes I'll write a scene on a notepad first, when I'm not sure how things will go, and then I can sort it out as I transfer it to the computer.
I'm sure you'll do great this year. Keep at it!
What I do is have my editor do a read through after I finish the draft. It costs a bit of $$$ but well worth it. Then the final edit goes so much smoother. Good luck with everything and have a great 2012!
I hate every sentence I write too lately! It stinks! And I think getting corrected makes us so much better. BTW I still have not unraveled the mystery of the comma and I've been writing since I was 11 years old!
I'm a little nervous thinking about when my editor gets hold of my ms--never done this before with publishing and not all that sure of what to expect, aside from corrections on my gross misuse of commas, semi-colons and em-dashes!
I had to put my novel away for a while as I worked out those "I hate it" blues. Comes from stressing over it (the writing) so much.
I want it to be perfect when my crit partners get to it; and when its not . . well, lets just say the crying towel is always handy.
I haven't been able to afford a paid editor yet; but I've been happy with my CPs, who have a variety of talents for collectively getting the editing nice and shiny.
Your novels look interesting Mary. I'm sure you'll find an editor, and it will be published as cleanly as possible. Even the big publishers miss things that should have been edited out :)
Eat some ice cream and give yourself a break. You're making so much progress in your publishing dreams. Way to go.
And yes, I am a SG-1 fan. Haven't watch any of them in a while - I think its off air now? - but even the re-runs are worth watching.
......dhole
My main concern is to pull myself out of this non-writing rut that I've put myself in. I'm going to try to write a short story or two and see if I can get one of those published, Baby steps.
Yep, I'm another one who can relate to those 'hating every sentence I write' blues. Thankfully, I'm not there at the moment, but I definitely have been. I know someone else mentioned exercise but I just want throw my support behind it too. Gotta love that endorphin hit! Can really help to clear your mind. :-)
I hope you find the right editor. I can't offer advice or support, because I've never been in that position.
Thanks for the comments you left on my blog. I look forward to following you and finding out more.
I must admit I self published, the first book went without a hitch, the second (Which has just been released) oh the trials and tribulations I had from start to finish. I am pleased with the finished result and our good blogging friend Alex was a great help to me.
Yvonne.
How do I join this insecure writer's group? I am very much an insecure writer.
My secret is having Brandon, and by that, I mean someone that not only edits, but tells you the straight up truth. This sentence needs work. This paragraph is clunky. This is more tell than show, etc. And in return, I do the same for him. But it's also about knowing how to say it without crushing the other person. I mean, nothing's worse than hearing "this sucks. I wouldn't wipe myself with it."
Chocolate is great Patsy.
Same reason I started writing again, Nicki. Yes, Dr. Who counts.
This community does rock, Melissa, and so do you. Keep writing :)
Yes, she did. Thanks, Michael.
Thank you for that lead, Angela.
lol, Li. Learning to use social networking effectively can take some time. We can't be everywhere. Pick a few to excel at. Pick your favorites is my advice.
Thank you, Mary. Great name you have. :)
Wise words, Jennee. I already feel better about most of my sentences. Not all of them...
Another great idea from Southpaw.
You were lucky to find a great editor so quickly, Rusty. I'm quite jealous.
My crit partners at great at keeping my content from jumping the rails. This all would be so much harder without crit partners, Nancy. And without all of you guys :)
I have several grammar mauals, Lindsay. Some things just don't want to stay stuck in my head. I think I need to defrag my head.
Another good idea, Stephen. But I don't let anyone read my first drafts. They are a true mess. I send the second drafts through crit partners.
Most of the time I'm OK, Lisa. But I seem to let some instances keep falling out of my head. My edits so far have had very few corrections. I try to learn from what comes back. Wish it would stick.
jb, I didn't know what to expect either. Still not really sure, despite getting edits in for The Tumbas this week. They've corrected some punctuation and grammar, and pointed out awkward wording and if a word is used too much. So far, I haven't had too much to deal with.
I set my first novel aside, too, Donna. Look what happened-- You know I think that every time I read a book, Donna. There's little difference. They publish schlock & make mistakes. So why am I held to a higher standard? I just want to put my best out there.
Baby steps is a great approach, Jamie. Short stories are a great way to get back into it. I usually will work on one or two between big projects. Gives me a break, yet keeps up the discipline.
Great words, Cally. I'm starting to snap out of it, too.
Thank you, Annalisa. Glad we finally bumped into each other.
Glad it all turned out in the end World of Poetry. Mine will, too, then. Right? :)
Go to Alex's blog, Beer. Sign up is there. You're lucky to have Brandon.
I think every writer goes through the everything-I-write-is-garbage stage at one point or another. I know I have.
As an author and an editor, I know both sides. What's most important is to keep an open line of communication. If the editor wants you to change something and you disagree, don't be a afraid to speak up. After all, it's your story.
I found you from Alex's blog and am now your newest follower. Nice to "meet" you!
Commas? Semi colons? Semi commas? If I can feel for that character and care what happens, they can punctuate themselves into my soul. Launch and let the commas flare away their fame in the booster as it falls to Earth.
I hope you find a good editor!
I usually go and read what another person has wrote when the blues come around; or I switch away from words altogether. Sometimes instrumental music or some sort of craft project can help take my mind off of it.
"Inhale, breathe, publish, keep going"---best advice to any writer.
Happy New Year, Mary!
Mary:
Great post! I was so in tune with it that I visited Alex's blog and ended up joining the group!
I get my semi colon's and colons mixed up too! Half the time I'm not sure what's right! Here we come English 101!
I'm starting a new blog this year to keep people up on what's happening with my writing. It's brand new and I hope you find time to visit at:
karenelizabethbrown.com
Hugs,
Karen
I edit until my eyes bleed, then pass the ms onto three beta-readers who inevitably find more snafus. Next, I forward it to my editor who like a ninja warrior hunts down the really tricky ones. It's a team effort. Or is that a village?!
Thanks for stopping in, Nicole. And thanks for your words on the editing. I'm only hating a few sentences this week.
lol, I like your metaphor, Emma
I usually put something I really frustrated with down, too, Eagle. A workout often helps.
Happy New Year, Damyanti.
You'll be glad you joined, Karen. I have the most trouble with really complex sentences, which seem to be my preferred sentence. With the right editor, I'll relearn quickly & do better.
I edit until my eyes bleed, too, Anne. I just sent a very edited chapter one off for a sample edit. and guess what? I'm still editing it on my own. That doesn't surprise me.
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