Ready, Set, Sleep
As I write this, it is almost 2:30 in the morning. I am often troubled by insomnia, the kind that keeps me from falling asleep, sometimes for hours, while thoughts circle around in my head like a dog chasing its tail. I have a lot of reasons for lack of sleep, I suppose. I have a stressful job, and as I am my own boss, every single aspect of that job--from getting the work done, to how to pay the bills, to keeping the clients happy--is my responsibility. As a rather introverted and conflict-averse person, being a lawyer may not have been the wisest career choice for me, but until I sell the book I haven’t finished yet and can pay the mortgage by writing (I can dream, right?), I’m stuck with it.
Which brings me to the book, and another reason for insomnia. I recently shared the first chapter with a critique partner, a total stranger I was fortunate enough to find on on AgentQueryConnect. Sending my baby out into the world to be judged was very scary, but I figured that I am never going to get anywhere unless I actually let someone read my writing. My CP was a great introduction to the world of critiquing. She offered gentle criticism as well as encouragement and just the right amount of praise.
While this was probably an unintended side effect of her critique, seeing my work through another's eyes made me realize that the book as it is written is a non-starter. It occurred to me that this is likely why I haven’t been able to finish it. Although I love the basic premise and the characters, the book is riddled with inconsistencies, and okay, some really bad writing.
So I decided it’s time to start over. Although I could sit down and begin the rewrite without much preparation, that didn’t get me very far the first time. I am not a plotter--outlining bores the crap out of me and I can never stick with it anyway--but I realized that I do need to be more organized. This week I put together a notebook with character profiles and pictures, and filled another binder with nineteenth century maps, a timeline, and research on period houses, clothes, carriages, horses. I am putting all my reference books, which at the moment are strewn all over the house, in one place next to my desk. I probably ought to clean my office, but that might be too much to hope for.
Ready, set, write. Maybe some sleep first, though?
2 comments:
Yes, getting some sleep and putting it away for awhile is always a good thing, Marin. I understand what you mean by stressful jobs. (I teach part-time, thankfully.) But I get that mental fatigue after dealing with smart-mouthed teenagers all day, so I find it's better to work on a manuscript when I'm rested. Mental exhaustion doesn't work well with creativity.
Marin, I'm right there with you. Clean office - Is that possible? I too am a pantser, and often don't know where I'm going as I right. I thought it worked for me, but now I am starting my first book over again. Makes me think more planning would have been a benefit. Taking classes and listening to CP's and just reading, well, some of it eventually seeps in. Good luck.
Barb H
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