Congratulations! You have written a WHOLE ENTIRE BOOK and that is worth celebrating! (I know I amaze myself every time I manage to finish another one.)
I would definitely recommend letting it sit for at least two weeks, more if you can stand it -- four to six weeks would actually be ideal, so you can get the emotional and imaginative distance you need to look at it with the eyes of a reader rather than the author, and figure out how to make it better.
Plunging straight back into it is more likely to make you tired and resentful of the whole process, IMO, and it's a lot harder to be objective (and, where necessary, ruthless) when the scenes that were really hard to write and the scenes you got emotional when writing and the scenes you worried weren't good enough as you were writing the, are still fresh in your mind.
Anyway, you've worked hard. Take the time to reward yourself and relax!
I had the ending to this one written somewhat early on so, unlike my previous two novels, I actually knew where this was going. But what terrifies me now is the fact that I've been writing consistently for the past 40 days and now I don't have anything to write! I don't want to break my streak!
I guess I could fanfic for awhile... but I'm actually eager to get on with the revisions! Sooo many ideas and things to fix.
But you're write. I do need to take a break from this story and let it marinate for awhile
I hear you on not wanting to break the streak -- I've been writing at least 15 min (and usually at least 30) per day since January and it's been one of the best things for my writing I've ever done. I definitely recommend trying your hand at some fanfic, or flash fiction, or even starting another book at a relaxed pace to keep the momentum going.
It's YA historical fantasy - in a similar vein to "Shadow and Bone" by Leigh Bardugo or "Girl of Fire and Thorns" by Rae Carson. That means there will be some teenage romance, though I've done my best to have it not be annoying (and considering my protagonist was supposed to be a nun she's unaware of her feelings until very late in the game) and there are no love triangles! If that doesn't sound like your cup of tea, I won't be offended if you back out.
Comments 8
I would definitely recommend letting it sit for at least two weeks, more if you can stand it -- four to six weeks would actually be ideal, so you can get the emotional and imaginative distance you need to look at it with the eyes of a reader rather than the author, and figure out how to make it better.
Plunging straight back into it is more likely to make you tired and resentful of the whole process, IMO, and it's a lot harder to be objective (and, where necessary, ruthless) when the scenes that were really hard to write and the scenes you got emotional when writing and the scenes you worried weren't good enough as you were writing the, are still fresh in your mind.
Anyway, you've worked hard. Take the time to reward yourself and relax!
Reply
I guess I could fanfic for awhile... but I'm actually eager to get on with the revisions! Sooo many ideas and things to fix.
But you're write. I do need to take a break from this story and let it marinate for awhile
Reply
Reply
I agree with rj_anderson--take a break, move away for a bit, do something else. Enjoy yourself and then come back to it.
Good job!
Reply
I'm sensing large amounts of ice cream rewards in my immediate future...
Reply
I am always up for giving you feedback if it'd be helpful.
Reply
It's YA historical fantasy - in a similar vein to "Shadow and Bone" by Leigh Bardugo or "Girl of Fire and Thorns" by Rae Carson. That means there will be some teenage romance, though I've done my best to have it not be annoying (and considering my protagonist was supposed to be a nun she's unaware of her feelings until very late in the game) and there are no love triangles! If that doesn't sound like your cup of tea, I won't be offended if you back out.
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment