Okay, I’m doing better today. I didn’t give into the temptation to wallow, although I did allow myself a moment for, “What was I thinking submitting this?!?” I’ve already made a few changes and am focusing again on my conference (in two weeks!!).
But I got to thinking: now what?
I have some great advice for how to make my two novels better. But I’ve been working on one for almost two years and the other is about a year-old. How long do I keep editing/improving these before I move on and start writing a new story? When is it time to say, “Enough. This one gets buried. On to the next one.”
I’d be happy to know what others do…thanks for your suggestions!
I can’t give you any advice, but I will share my method. As soon as I have polished my novel (with several rounds of revisions) I start a new one. I just tell myself the book is the best I could do at this time in my life.
Perfection is overrated. Improvement is all I can hope for.
Start a new one!
Hi, Karin:
I read the last two posts, so I’d know where you are coming from.
Bummy that you didn’t final on Genesis; i’m sorry for that.
Have you ever considered hiring a professional editor for your novels? Just a thought…
As to when you should ‘move on,’ I can only say to really pray, and the Lord will show you. He may even have you put it on hold, move onto something new, then come back in a while and go at it again…
Do you have a crit group?
Perhaps they can help with advice.
What conference are you attending? I am going to the Write to Publish in Wheaton and would love to meet you! You can email me at jeanettelevellie(at)gmail(dot)com
Blessings,
jen
Hi, Karin,
Before I was published, it was important to me to see a project through to “The End.” To prove to myself, and of course an editor, that I can write an entire novel that makes sense and basically works. I’ve known some aspiring writers who love to write, love the set up and the initial burst of creative energy, but don’t see a project through to the end.
So…if you’ve proven to yourself you can definitely finish a novel, have polished it to your own satisfaction, then it may be time to move on to the next project. You can always revisit it when the story beckons again, as they often do.
Many if not most authors, when they’re published for the first time, have several books already under their belt. Each one is a step on the ladder toward honing our craft – writing is never wasted, even if you’re the only one who reads it (for now).
My advice would be to write where your passion is. If that means a new project (provided you’ve already proven you can finish a novel) then by all means forge ahead with something new. Follow the passion – it’s so much easier to write with that, than without.
Happy Writing!
I thought my wip was as good as I could get it and then I discovered margie lawson’s Deep Editing and Empowering Characters Emotions workshops (you can download both online for $20 each). It gave new life to my editing and made me excited to make my work the best it could be. I have a friend who had her novel at its best, got an invitation at the conference, had it ready to send and it’s coming out next spring. Finish each project to the best and then start something new.
Karin,
Know that you are not alone. I’m a newbie, and have been working on my current WIP for a little over two years. I’m working through a major rewrite based on last years ACFW Conference. I submitted for Genesis, and was disappointed when my name was absent from the list.
I figure I will be in your boat once I finish the rewrite I’m working on. I’m anxious to get the feedback from the Genesis judging. Hopefully, it will show what needs to be worked on.
Remember that even the judges are people and have preferences. Not everyone will like everything. I try to look for patterns in the critiques I receive.
I haven’t read your previous posts, have you submitted to any agents? I started that process last summer, and it was a bittersweet learning experience. But you might consider it.
I posted on Ups and Downs after reading the finalists list. Stop by.
I know I always want to keep editing. I have to force myself to stop. For the first manuscript, I probably did ten revisions/read-throughs. For the others, less.
At some point you have to make yourself stop or you’ll just keep on going. LOL We writers are anal that way. 🙂