Um, that rule about how I'm supposed to let the manuscript rest for at least a week?
Is it one of those rare Rule rules, or can I take it as a suggestion rule? Because while I know that just 48 hours ago I was in a funk and thinking I was a worthless writer with a hopeless story, I had this epiphany last night that the real theme of my novel is something I'd been thinking of as a mere sub-theme, and I'm all excited about the story and champing at the bit to get back into it.
If this is a Universal Bad Thing, someone stop me soon before I open the file....
It's just a suggestion. Mostly for those of us who would go in with a scalpel -- or a chainsaw -- without a little distance from it. But if you had a clarifying idea, then yeah, go to town, I guess.
I don't know anything about rules, though the leave it alone thing sounds like a good one. I would say don't open the file, but jot down all your ideas so you have them for when you do go back in. Of course, I have no idea what I'm talking about, so take this with a grain of salt.
(X-posted with someone who does know what they're doing, naturally.)
I'm actually anxiously awaiting when I can go home from work so I can write, because I have some ideas flying around myself. Unfortunately I have several errands I have to get done after work, which makes me even more anxious.
I think it's just that once I got past the exhaustion and the angst, being told to put away the book for at least a week, but preferably two or more, with six being the ideal number, was having a Don't Think of Elephants effect on me.
I think Stephen King recommends it, though he's not about Absolute Rules of Writing, IIRC. But I'm pretty sure that's his advice in
On Writing,
and I've had it quoted at me a few times.
And I figure six weeks only even
works
if you're unpublished like me, or are Stephen King and can turn in your books when you damn well please.
And I figure six weeks only even works if you're unpublished like me, or are Stephen King and can turn in your books when you damn well please.
Well, no. I mean, you could be starting your next book now, and working on that while waiting to edit this one. And six weeks might be optimal -- who knows? Whatever works.
I must have skipped that part in the book.
I think Stephen King recommends it, though he's not about Absolute Rules of Writing, IIRC. But I'm pretty sure that's his advice in On Writing, and I've had it quoted at me a few times.
This is why I have never yet looked inside a book about "how to write", by anyone, any time, anywhere.
Tell me something's a rule and I immediately break it.
I've stopped reading writing books, mostly. Although besides "Bird by Bird" I also like this one by an editor called "Forest for The Trees". Anyone else here read it? It has a lot of stuff in it about what editing is like and what editors think when they reject stories...war story stuff
In my case, taking multiple weeks before looking at mine has helped me look at it and read it again, as opposed to scanning the pages somewhat blankly and thinking of everything as being foregone.
I was thinking I'd be finished by now, but at least Deb will not have to wear down her machete when she gets the newest version.
