Thank you to the co-hosts for the June 2 posting of the IWSG: J Lenni Dorner, Sarah Foster, Natalie Aguirre, Lee Lowery, and Rachna Chhabria!
June 2 question – For how long do you shelve your first draft, before reading it and re-drafting? Is this dependent on your writing experience and the number of stories/books under your belt?
I’m more impatient than a toddler awaiting ice cream, so my first draft doesn’t stay on the shelf for long. In fact, I can’t even write one chapter without some serious editing as I go. I marvel at authors who shelve their stories for months or delay publication for years. As soon as I’m done with my manuscript, I’m shipping that puppy off to my editor!
Although impatience has stayed constant over the 11 years I’ve been publishing novels, I hope the clarity and tightness of my writing have improved. I’ve observed that at least my critique partner and editor suggest fewer edits with each successive novel.
On another note, how’s your writing motivation these days? Sales for my latest novel have pretty much sucked–not awesome for inspiring my muse. But I am enjoying reading engrossing books like We Are All Made of Stars and watching riveting TV shows like Mare of Easttown.
Jennifer Lane Books 
You must be very impatient if you’re comparing it to a toddler’s. But it looks like that works for you. Sorry that your sales of your most recent book haven’t been good.
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Yes, Natalie, very impatient! *stomps foot* 😀 I do edit so much along the way, but of course I let it sit for a little bit and read over the whole thing multiple times before sending it to my editor. Thanks for the support! And thanks for co-hosting today.
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Hi,
I think the pandemic has lots of people holding back on buying things, like books, or music, or going to the theatre, or even a movie until they see the economy picking up. Hold on, things will change and this will only be a memory of what was.
Have a lovely June.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
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That’s something I hadn’t thought of, Pat. Things are already starting to feel back to normal, hooray!
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I can’t shelve mine for very long either.
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Thank you for the validation, Alex. 🙂
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I hear ya! I know that impatience well. But I also know how much better my drafts get after I take that time away. And yay for needing less edits!! 🙂 ❤
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Hope your edits of your screenplay go well, PK!
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I have to edit as I go, or hurricanes tend to destroy my laptop and work! Ouch! Have you thought about doing new styles in your covers. Readers these day tend to gloss over covers that do not pull in their eyes. Of course, my sales haven’t been stellar this past year either! Highest of sales in the future!
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Yikes on the hurricanes–you are in a bad zone for that, Roland. We actually had hurricane winds cause a lot of damage all the way up in Ohio in 2009, as I recall. The only book of mine that sold better was one with a shirtless cover. I guess sex really does sell!
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You’re not alone in the dipping sales. I’ve heard the same thing from other authors. Let’s hope there’s an uptick soon.
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Here’s hoping, C Lee! ❤
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Mare of Easttown is the best. Really captured what I think policing is.
Enjoy your June. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
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That show kept building and building to a fantastic finale. I cried so much! Glad you enjoyed it too, Anna. Happy June!
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Sorry your sales have been disappointing. That would be tough on motivation.
My motivation has been all over the place during the pandemic, sometimes (but not always) tied to whatever else is going on in my life. I’m querying now, and sometimes rejections can mess with my motivation, but I try to show up and write every day anyway. If I can’t have motivation, I’ll settle for stubbornness.
Good luck!
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Thank you, Janet! I’m pretty stubborn, too. I hope you get some positive responses to your queries. ❤
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