Monday, March 22, 2010

WiP-lash

(get it? get it?)

Before I begin this post, I just want to give a shout out to my friend and fellow MoMo Kiersten. She revealed the cover for her upcoming book, and it is SHINY!!! Congrats, Kierst. You are living one of those moments many writers daydream about. :)

Anyway, I figured I'd better post, seeing as how my blog has been gathering dust for quite a while now. Truth is, you have all probably forgotten about me, and even now as you read this, are straining to remember why you're following this blog in the first place.

Regardless, I've decided to give you a brief update.

As you probably noted (in the extremely clever post title,) I am currently working on a new novel. You will also note that I didn't call this post WiP-Love or WiP WiP Hurray! or something like that.

No, I'm talking about Wip-lash here. Because my friends, gone are the days for me of dancing happily through a rough draft. Gone are the days of pounding out that novel and thinking MAN, this is the best thing ever. Unfortunately, I've reached a place where working through that first draft feels more similar to a cat-o-nine tails coming hard across my back.

But before you think I'm complaining, you should know that I'm glad. It may seem odd to say, but I'm happy that writing is such hard work for me. Why? Because I think it means I know something now. You see, it's hard to pound out new scene after new scene when you are keenly aware how important each scene really needs to be. And likewise, throwing in a cool plot twist just isn't as fun if you know it needs to actually make sense for the rest of the story.

Now don't get me wrong. There are plenty of people who blitz through first drafts, and I am in no way saying that they don't know these things. Not at all. I'm only saying that, for me, the fact that I'm not happily frolicking through my rough draft means that I think I finally get it.

So that's where I am, folks. Slaving away in the first draft sweatshop. But don't worry, you can know for sure that I have a smile on my face.

17 comments:

Kiersten White said...

Thanks for the cover love!!

And I'm right there with you on WiP-lash. Ah, the wide-eyed days of, "Holy crap this is awesome!"

Heh.

Candyland said...

Pushing through is the toughest,(I feel your pain), yet most rewarding, (I've heard), part.

At least you're smiling.

Anonymous said...

I know how you feel! I'm going through a first draft right now, and my word counts are not at all like they were on my last two and a half novels. And yet, I'm happier with this one, already. I have learned and implemented so, so much between book one and now.

Are there any particulars about your process that you've noticed have changed?

Candice said...

I love your analysis of why writing is different for you know. I have to say that it's a bit of an eye-opener for me too. I'm with you on the WIP-lash (very clever, btw). I remember how I used to read my book and feel so excited by what I had created, but it was an ignorant love. Now after I write something I think I feel a stronger sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Great post!

Jessie Oliveros said...

Uh-oh, I think I may have the ignorant love that Candice mentioned. I guess we all have to start somewhere. Good luck on your WiP-lash. I agree, very clever term. I hope you are having fun even though it's kicking your butt. And Kiersten's cover was AWESOME.

Hayley Lovell said...

Loving what you do is very important, so slaving through it is ookay as long as you don't loose yourself and try to make the best of it.

storyqueen said...

Yeah! A new story!

good luck.

And no, you cannot borrow Harrison.

Shelley

Unknown said...

Love the blog title!! Yay for a new WIP! I started my three weeks ago and haven't been able to stop! 55K words and I have to remind myself to eat, sleep and clean!!!

Natalie said...

I can totally relate! The first and even the second first drafts I wrote were easy. I didn't know what I was doing, so I did it however I wanted to do it. This last one has been SO MUCH HARDER, but it's also a lot better and I don't think (*crosses fingers*) it will require half the rewrites that my last manuscript did.

Renee Collins said...

Kierst-The cover love just has to be spread!

Candyland-Yep :) Maybe it's just being done with the pain that makes finishing rewarding. lol

Eliza-Oh yes. For one thing, I outlined the entire book. I've never officially done that before, but I felt like I had to this time. I just could fly blind, you know?

Candice-Exactly. It's kind of like the difference in the infatuation, excited love you feel for a guy when you are dating vs. the deep, calm love you feel for your spouse. (ooo . . . I might have to use this analogy in a post one day.)

Jessie-That might not be the case! You are deep in edits, which is something that someone in blind love often fails to do. So hey, that love you're feeling is probably the real thing. :)

Hayley-Very true. The slaving part can be overdone. You can let the Inner Editor get too pushy. I know from personal experience.

Shelly-But—but, he's so dreamy!

Jen-Way to go! I have moments of that for sure, when I can't do anything but write. But I unfortunately usually hit a wall after not too long.

Natalie-And that's kind of how I feel with this one. Since I've outlined it, and I'm so much more careful as I'm writing it, I'm HOPING that it means edits will be more tame.

Miriam Forster said...

So true! :) Though I find it goes in shifts for me. My new project was like pulling teeth for the last two months, but this week it's been amazingly fun.

I guess that's why we keep at it, huh?

J.R. Johansson said...

I know exactly what you mean. I'm feeling a little beat-up lately from my WIP as well, but I'm loving what that says about it. Hang in there! It will be worth it in the end! :)

Michelle D. Argyle said...

Well I'm glad it's going well! I started writing with pain about 18 months ago, and it seems to get worse and worse, but it's more rewarding, as well. Keep going!

Renee Collins said...

Miriam-It's good to know that breezing-through-a-draft feeling can come back. I think I'm ready for one. :)

Jenn-That is the one hope, isn't it? That it will all be worth it in the end. Even if that doesn't mean an agent or publication, just having a quality finished product that I know is better than the last is always nice.

Michelle-Writing with pain, haha, I like that phrase. It should be a bumper sticker on my laptop or something. :)

Kasie West said...

I vote for Wip Wip Hooray. lol That's funny. But, I totally get this post. It spoke to me (in a non-creepy way). I've been working on my WiP for three months now and I'm like, what happened to the days I could blaze through first drafts? But you're right, it's because I'm starting to think and reminding myself I suck more. :)

Aubrie said...

Hi Renee,

I write and read YA as well. I love post apocalyptic books. Your writing sounds wonderful. Good luck with your WIP and I'm following now to see how it goes!

Suzy Thompson said...

i think the rough draft would be the hardest part for me, too.