I don’t know about you, but I think editing is the hardest part of writing. When I get past the editing stage, then maybe I’ll find something else about writing that is more difficult. But for now, I’m sticking with editing.
I’ve been working on my mystery novel for so long now.
I started it back in November 2013. I’ve written it, edited it, rewritten it, edited that, and then rewrote it again in a completely new way. I edited that version, rewrote it again, and now I’m editing it again.
But no matter how many times I go through the manuscript, the same things are always wrong with it.
There’s not enough character development here. The plot moves too quickly over there. There’s still some research to do.
I look for those things and more each draft I read through. Yet every time I end up wishing it was done already so I end up just finding typos instead. I don’t focus well enough on what I should be looking for. This is why I have a million drafts of everything.
I made a list of things I need to look out for, but every time I sit down to edit, I just… don’t. I stare off into space. I end up playing with the dog or cat (yes, I got a new cat!) or turtle. I find something to eat. I clean. I decide to get some other form of writing done because then I’m at least being productive, right?
Kris suggested I take a break from working on this particular novel.
My original plan was to have it agent-ready by January. Of course, at the rate I’m going that may not happen.
I don’t want to take a break, but I think I need one. The characters and I are getting on each other’s nerves.
So Kris is going to take over for me. She’s going to read through and edit the current draft I’m on. Meanwhile, I’m going to take an in-depth look at everything else. Do the research I need for it, really come up with a plan for what to look for in my next set of edits and how to fix them.
I can work on some other stories in the meantime.
Then maybe I can get back to my novel with a brand new outlook on it.
Do you ever get stuck on your writing or editing? What do you do to overcome it?
