Tuesday Things
Tuesday, when I'm back at dayjob after a holiday weekend interrupted by a hurricane that never was.Books Out Today That You Should Definitely Pick Up at the Bookstore, On Your E-Reader, or At Your Library:Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida CordovaAs I Descended by Robin TalleyGirl Mans Up by M.E. GirardHoward Wallace, P.I. by Casey LyallHow to Make Out by Brianna ShrumWhat I've Done Today: Day in the life of an author right? So glamorous.
- Got a chai latte because all days start with a chai latte
- Scrolled Twitter
- Sent notes to a freelance client
- Sent a (very bad) picture book draft to an author friend more accomplished and patient than I am
- Replied to an ongoing email about weekly/monthly goals with two writer friends
- Scrolled Twitter
- Received notes on the YA that's tortured me for three years
- Whined to an editor-friend and an author-friend about how I was too scared to open the notes
- Scrolled Twitter
- They both told me to open the notes (both in all caps too) so I did.
- Realized that the beta notes on this YA put language to what I knew and felt was wrong with the book.
- Lamented that I still can't see my way forward with the book--do I tear it down and rewrite from scratch or do I work with what I have?
- Discussed the issue of worrying about What's Next with an author friend
- Reread notes. Reminded self that some books are giant Jenga puzzles that fall on your head and give you concussions but that doesn't mean you can't try again.
- Scrolled Twitter.
- Reread notes. Reminded self that the only way out of a book is through a book. Quietly sang, "I'll write my way out" from Hamilton at my desk. Got a weird look from coworker.
- Realized this list was too long and self-important to tweet and decided to write a blog post instead. Justified by telling self "You haven't blogged in so long, this is really a great idea. People will be VERY INVESTED in your non-exciting writer life."
- Wrote this.
- Scrolled Twitter.
- Hit post.
- Went to get another chai latte. Or, that is, I'm going to do #20, and then I'm going to do #21.
Some days, the answer of how a book needs to be fixed just comes to you. And other days, you spend a lot of time lamenting and rereading and trying to visualize your way through a book. It's a lot of mental poking and prodding and sighing and reminding yourself that a broken book isn't an unfixable book. These are things I tell my freelance clients that sometimes I need to tell myself too.Hope you all had a lovely Labor Day weekend! If you have any requests for blog topics, leave them in the comments or @ me on Twitter or FB!