What I'm up to

1. I'm busy trying to keep my sanity in regards to the recent release (not doing nearly as well at this as I'd like). Let it go, let it go, let it go.

2. I'm busy revising a manuscript for an editor.

3. I'm busy trying not to gain 20 pounds while doing that revising.

4. I'm also busy trying to keep the kids from killing each other while doing that revising.

5. Another 7-10 days and hopefully I'll be done with that revising (second one of the summer, in case anyone is counting. I am. Obviously.)

In other news, this Friday I will be very sad. Please send chocolate. Oh wait, don't (see #2 above). I know many people are sad about the Harry Potter movies coming to an end, but for me, it's all about Friday Night Lights coming to an end.

SOB.

Last Friday's episode, I had tissues all over the couch by the end of the show. Can you even imagine what it's going to be like after the last episode?

SOB SOB SOB

Texas Forever!!!!!!!

SOB

Monday Motivation - on revision

"By your third draft, the main plotline and subplots ought to be clear. If your novel at that point is still muddy and changing enormously from draft to draft, then it's time to stop exploring the story and start looking into yourself. What matters? Who counts the most? What in the story frightens you into avoidance? What is the most essential thing your readers most need to see and understand?" ~ Donald Maass, THE BREAKOUT NOVELIST

I have a big revision ahead of me. I've been turning plot lines and character traits over and over in my head for a month.

It's time to sit down, tear it apart, and then put it back together again. I have a love/hate relationship with revision. I love it because it challenges me. I hate it because it challenges me.

I have a talk I've given to writers at conferences on revision. In it I say, the real writing happens in the rewriting. And it's true. So why are we so scared sometimes to get started?

For me, when I'm deleting old scenes and writing new ones, I'm often scared I'm making the book worse instead of better. And it's so messy - all that deleting and moving things around. When I'm drafting a book, it's not hard to get up and walk away. But when I'm revising? I *hate* getting up and walking away. I feel like I'm leaving behind this huge mess, which I am in a way, and I can't stand messes.

It's painful. It's hard. It's messy. But it's necessary.

Today, I begin. The only way out is through! In the coming weeks, my plan is simple:

Keep up my exercise
Set a time to be done every day, before dinner, and stick to it.
Eat well
Take a short break every hour - get up and walk around outside
Free write in another document if necessary and don't feel bad about it
Remember I've done this before and every time, the book has become so much better

How do you psyche yourself up for a big revision?

Wordless Wednesday

 

One author's Top Ten Rules for Writers

This afternoon I'm heading to Oceanside to do a presentation on revision at the Oregon Coast Children's Book Writer's Workshop.

Yesterday someone on twitter pointed me to an article in the LA times, and what do you know, a lot of things in this article are in my revision presentation! Hooray!!

I think it's an article worth reading. The rules come from author Janet Fitch, author of WHITE OLEANDER. I think it was   who, on twitter yesterday, said something like - a big part of revision is remembering the writing rules we already know. I totally agree!!

And tomorrow, I go through THE DAY BEFORE one last time for a final round of edits. 

I'm looking forward to a week of reading, reading, reading after this busy week is finished.

Happy Wednesday!!

Motivational Monday - on finishing

"Be yourself. Above all, let who you are, what you are, what you believe shine through every sentence you write, every piece you finish." ~ John Jakes



I have one more day of work on revisions for my next YA novel, and then I need to hit send and get it back into the hands of my editor. Yes, I'm nearing the finish line. For now anyway. There may be another round of light edits. But the big ones will be done.

This last day is the hardest, I think. Because doubts start to creep in, and I worry that I haven't dug deep enough, haven't done enough, have perhaps made it worse in places instead of better. There's a part of me that wants to take the thing and go hide under the covers and not come out.

But I will finish. And I will let it go, believing that I've done everything I possibly can to make it the best it can be.

I like the above quote by John Jakes because it says to me - write from your heart. It's what matters most. And with every book, that's what I try to do.

I hope with this latest story, it shows. If it does, then I'm happy.

Happy Monday!

Lisa's March Revision Madness is over

for now anyway!

Want a peek at what the revision process is like for me?

I know, I know, SCARY!!

Are you brave? Really, really brave? I'm warning you, watch at your own risk.

If you think you can handle it, My Revision Medley pretty much summarizes the entire process.

Warming up. Come on, I have to warm up, don't I?

Dear Lisa,

I know you are having a hard time with these revisions. I know this is the hardest book you've ever written and you're trying to make it a gripping, page-turning, spine-tingling read. It's making you moan and whine and snap at your family. I get it. It's bad how hard this book is to write. But you have to stop messing around. Like yesterday. Remember yesterday? You spent two hours making video after video because they were super fuzzy and it bugged you. Well guess what? Fuzzy or not fuzzy, no one wants to see your angst-filled face talking about how hard these revisions are. So stop it. Yes, I know you were trying to say something inspirational, but now is *not* the time to inspire others. Now is the time to inspire yourself so you GET THIS BOOK FINISHED. Do you hear me?

You have three more days off from work. That is precious time. Do not waste it. Take your kids to lunch, play laser tag with them, whatever, time with your kids is not wasting time. But anything else, it IS wasting time.

You can do this. Just think how good you'll feel when it's done. Do you need a bribe? Okay, here you go. Finish this book and I'll treat you to a pedicure. What? That's not good enough? Okay, I'll treat you to a pedicure AND a trip to Powells where you can buy a book. What? Two books? Okay fine. A pedicure and two books.

Hurry. Go. Now.

Your friend always,
Lisa

***

Dear Stephenie Meyer,

My husband watched the movie TWILIGHT with me. He liked it. I think he's sort-of wondering why I don't write books like that. Well, right about now, me and him both.

Love,
Lisa

The forest

 

The only way out is through.

And please, if I ever mention that I'm thinking about writing another book in alternating points of view, just say the words - deep, dark forest. Thank you.