It's About Time, Time Time...

So, somewhere along the line I convinced myself that writing is a short process. Or maybe I got that impression from how fast I saw myself writing. I'm not a patient person. End of story. (See?) 

I have unbelievable energy and inspiration when I first start a project. And this allows me to get way ahead of other people doing the same thing. 

For a while.

Then I get tired. My inspiration dwindles. I get overwhelmed with how big a project is, sometimes before I've really even started. I get lost in outlines and character profiles and word count goals and writer's block and filler material and Pinterest scrolling. And I lose heart. I give up the battle without fighting long enough to see any ground gained. 

Ever feel like that?

It's part of who I am. I am a highly energetic person. Which doesn't mean I have boundless energy. It means I have great big spurts of energy. And what happens when a spurt fizzles out? What's left afterward?

A great big sigh and an "I can't do really do this, I just thought I could".

Maybe that's why I've only finished less than a handful of manuscripts. Maybe that's why I have notebook after notebook of great story ideas collected over fifteen years of writing...and only one published novel in the same amount of time.

Today, I had a revelation. And it began as I read authoress Marissa Meyer's blog series "From Idea to Finished". I noticed how much time Meyers was suggesting putting into each step of the writing process. And how much time was devoted to the novel before it's rough draft stage.

I suddenly felt very sheepish. I do my share of character profiles. But once I write up a list of their physical features and personality quirks, I want to say "that's enough" and jump right into my rough draft. Sometimes I don't even get a basic outline done completely. And then I wonder why I have to go looking for filler material (like in my last blog post).

That blog series got me thinking. (As it will you - please read it; it will change how you view the writing process!) 

How much time does it really take to write a novel?

Maybe the better question is, how much time does it take to write a novel and how much time does it take to write a best-seller that an editor will actually take the time to read? Another good question: why do I rush into writing the rough draft so quickly and expect the writing, the revising and the polishing to end up like I want it to?

I have definitely been cheating myself out of accomplishing my best. I've been cheating my beta readers out of having finished manuscripts. And I've been cheating my future audience out of ever actually getting to read anything I've written.

Publishing is a scary business. From a writer's standpoint anyway. It takes a LOT of guts to send in a manuscript, knowing that you have worked for months to make it "perfect". It takes almost as much bravery just to think about sending in a manuscript. Especially to a big name company. (Seriously, just sitting here contemplating having a best-seller publishing house read MY manuscript makes me want to cling to it and hide in a closet!)

What if I could overcome that fear? What if instead of fearing I hadn't done my best I knew I had done my absolute best? What if I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I hadn't taken any shortcuts? That I hadn't cheated my novel out of the preparation and attention over time that it was due?

Would it make me braver when it came to sending that novel in to a publisher?

Would it make my novel worthy of being published?

The answer is a definite yes. Oh, there will still be PLENTY to fix come rewrite time. And my beta readers and editors will still have PLENTY to say about things I need to change. But the difference will be that when they see a manuscript of mine, they will see hard work, perseverance and patient, detailed everything. 

Not a second-rate rushed-onto-paper hash of cliches and I-put-this-here-cause-I-didn't-take-time-to-plan-it-out-better.

Not a narrative style that feels more like a bystander calmly observing a distant scene.

A vibrant piece of fiction! Dripping with drama, rich with characterization, satisfying with completed plot lines, engaging with detailed setting...A real, genuine page-turner.

So what is the proper amount of time and prep it takes to write a novel worthy of the New York Best Seller list? I'm not sure yet. But I now know that I can count on it taking a minimum of a year if need be. And you know what?

That's okay.

It's time I quit rushing into the rough draft. I need to slowly but surely sift through ideas and ask the important questions. It's time I eased off on the gas pedal during rewrites. I need to slowly but surely sift through each draft with specific goals in mind. It's time I quit getting discouraged by how long it's taking me to get finished. I need to take my time and enjoy the ride. Because once this manuscript is finished and sent to an editor, I need to know for sure and certain that it is my very best effort. 

This time, I know. This time, things will be different. And it will be a beautiful difference.

Sincerely,

Yours Truly