Make it not broke
I’m in the middle of my second draft for Poisoned Pearls. It’s been going well. As expected, I’ve added a bunch of words, even in the sections where I wasn’t adding new scenes (of which I’ve already added two.)
I like this novel a whole lot more now that I can step back and look at it. I always try to practice new things with every novel, and with this one, I was working on Voice with Setting. It’s one of the reasons why it turned out to be Urban Fantasy, because the city of Minneapolis is a character. As is the winter weather.
I will finish the “make it not broke draft” this weekend and send it off to my first readers. I’ve spent a lot more time reading this one out loud as part of the make it not broke process, because my ear always catches things my eye misses. Plus, it’s a much better check for me for Voice.
This past weekend, I had a mini-meltdown. (I’m not prone to meltdowns, mini or otherwise.) I took a realistic look at my schedule, and finally forced myself to admit that I can’t keep up the writing pace I have been. I’ve been trying, really hard, but I just can’t. I know other writers can. I don’t have the muscles or know-how or what have you.
So I had to change my entire writing schedule, what I had planned to write, for this year and next year, to take into account the slower pace. As well as change my publishing schedule. I have some holes in it now, that I hope I’ll be able to fill later.
I think I’ll be happier at the slower pace. I’m certainly more sane, and have done things this week like cleaned the house, laundry and dishes-those things that have been piling up.
I still wish I could write more, write faster, write better. And maybe someday, I will be able to. But for now, I’m giving myself a little more time to think and to breathe.
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