Wednesday, November 5, 2014

ISWG: First-Timer

This is my first post for the Insecure Writer's Support Group, created by Alex J. Cavanagh. We post every Wednesday of the first month about any doubts or concerns we may have without appearing foolish or weak for the purpose of supporting and encouraging one another. Check out the group here. A big thanks to Alex and the co-hosts this month: LG Keltner, Donna Hole, Lisa Buie-Collard, and SL Hennessy.

 
 
A big insecurity for me is being vulnerable with my writing. I've finished a manuscript I'm really proud of, but I'm worried it doesn't have a place in the marketplace. I'm not sure if it's too niche or too played out. All I know is, I really just love it to pieces.
 
I keep coming back to it, even though I should be working on something new. I wonder if I should go back and tweak it, because if I don't, I fear that it means I've given up on it. When do we know when it's best to leave it alone? Will it do more harm than good to revise it again?
 
How do you know when your manuscript is 'finished'?


20 comments:

  1. Welcome to the hop! I'm just a second-timer, but it's a great group. You know, I have the same concerns about my book and the market. I think you just can't worry about it too much, because the market is so weird and unpredictable and you'll make yourself crazy trying to nail it down. Just write what you've gotta write and make it as good as you can.

    Ah, but that's the hard part, isn't it? When is it good enough? If I leave it up to me, the answer is never. That's why I'm hoping to pass the buck onto my beta readers. One question I'll ask is: once I've revised taking your suggestions into account, will this be good enough? I plan to self-publish, so I want to know if it's going to need a professional editor (probably), but if you're shopping to agents or publishers, you can ask that same question. Also keep in mind that agents/editors are often looking at potential and aren't expecting a perfect manuscript up front.

    At some point, having someone else look at it is essential, because we're just too close to our own projects. All I see when I look at mine after a year of working on it is: "Not good enough yet."

    Good luck with yours!

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    1. Thanks for the welcome and words of encouragement! It's good to know I'm not alone in my fears. I've gone through a few betas and CP's, taken pieces of their suggestions, but I know what you mean. I still wonder if it's good enough. Perhaps I do need fresh eyes!

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  2. Hello and welcome to ISWG. Mybe leave it for a bit and write something new then go back to it after not looking at it for 2 or 3 months then if you don't find much you want to change, start submitting it or enter competitions or send it to a professional editor. Happy writing :)

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  3. Oh yes, I agree with the above comment, find a couple of beta readers and ask for feedback... But grace yourself some beta readers are kind and some are heavy handed with their suggestions. Put your thick skin in and only take on board what resonates with you.

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    1. Thanks for the welcome and advice. I've put it on pause for about two months, but I think the fresh eyes will help.

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  4. Welcome to IWSG! I returned this month after being on hiatus from the group for a while. I thought it was a good time because I'm also having insecurities over my writing--it's a piece I love but I'm terrified that it won't be what people are expecting or wanting.
    Beta readers are invaluable--they usually ease my fears as much as the point me to things that need to be fixed. But, don't feel bad for putting it away and letting it sit for a while and working on a different project. You might gain some new insight along the way that can help build on the story. It's really a personal decision--moving on or remaining on the same piece--but don't think that either is unacceptable or a sign that you're giving up on the story.

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    1. Thanks for the welcome Skye. It's a relief to know that others are also afraid of what others may expect. I think about that too often when I know I shouldn't have. Your reassurance that if I leave it for awhile I'm not giving up on it, helps.

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  5. My last MS went through 14 CP and beta reads before hitting contests, where it got tweaked, cut and reworked even more. And that wasn't the end of it either. My advice, send it out to more betas, see what the people say. You don't have to make any changes, but you might get a better feel for what could/should still be done. Then let it sit a month or two, work on something else, and come back to it. It's amazing how different things look after stepping away for a bit. Sometimes letting a MS set is the best thing a writer can do.

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    1. Thanks for the advice. I guess it's a consensus. I should get another pair of eyes to look at it. Perhaps that's what I need. I like the idea of letting a MS set. It sure beats my concception of giving up on it.

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  6. Is this MS2, Michelle? If you keep thinking about it, you must have unfinished business with it. I felt that way about the Keegans and that's why I kept going back to it revision after revision. I've queried it and I'm still not sure if it's really done or if I'm happy with it, but there it is. It was the best I could with that idea at the time. And welcome to the group; they're pretty awesome.

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    1. Thanks for the welcome. Yeah. M2. I've left it alone for two months while querying, which has me second guessing every little thing, you know? I think you're right. Maybe there is unfinished business with it.

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  7. I know it's time to move on when I'm buried under a mountain of rejections and don't want to fight for it anymore. If you think it's worth fighting for you have to keep trying. I know sometimes too we're scared to move on because we don't see how we can love something that much again, or we feel guilty for moving on because of how much we love it. I have a story I kept going back to and editing on and off for a year! And I still love that story. But sometimes there's nothing we can do except channel that passion into something else. All I know is that you're really talented and have many amazing stories inside of you to tell.

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    1. Krystal, what do you consider to be a mountain of rejections? Is it a finite number? Thanks again for you advice and as always, your encouragment. You're right. There are so many stories to tell. Hopefully I can fall in love with another.

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    2. The number is different for every story, usually when I feel like I've queried everyone I've wanted, and I'm either still happy with the work I've done or never want to see it again. I might feel buried after 30 if the rejections come in too fast, but to me a mountain looks like 50 or so. Last year I got over 100 for a story!

      You will most definitely fall in love with another story again. I have a story graveyard full of stories that I've been crazy about. It's rough, but I promise it will happen.

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  8. At least you're writing! I haven't in IDK how long. Truly sucks.
    Like Michelle said, unfinished business? DO you look back and feel satisfied? Or do you think of how you could make it even better?

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    1. I feel satisfied, but I wonder if I'll satisfy the reader. I keep thinking, would they want more of this? Is this too arche-typy. Should I change and revamp it? Then I reread and anazlyze like crazy.

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  9. Welcome to the IWSG!! Sorry I'm so late in visiting. It's a very long list now.
    When I start putting things back to the way they were in the first draft, I know I'm done.
    And niche is all right. There are a lot of small presses who look for niche manuscripts.

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  10. Welcome! I feel like someone once said a book is never finished, and I just read a post that said Gabriel Garcia Marquez said he publishes to make himself stop revising. lol I may have to force myself to stop revising myself. You can look at your work a thousand times and find something to change each time.

    It doesn't look like you've won a Liebster Award yet, so I'm giving you one! If you would like to accept, here is the link with all of the information. :)

    http://debramckellan.blogspot.com/2014/11/friday-freeday-liebster-award.html

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