April 11, 2001
Deadlines
So yeah, we got the manuscript for Adrift back last Thursday, and I got my chance to look at it today. Overall, objectively, there's not much to do in the way of editing. The editor really liked what we did, and just wanted a few minor things changed, mostly fine tuning things. Subjectively, I'm pissy about it. I don't know if I'm just geared up to be cranky this morning or what, but I've already sent off an obnoxiously whiny email to Brand about the whole thing. Wisely, I then put the manuscript away and quit trying to edit it. I'm not sure what my problem is this morning. Every suggested word change seemed like an insult. Anything that was already changed or rewritten for me made me want to grind my teeth in aggravation. Part of the problem, I think, is that since Brand and Josh have already done most of their edits, my sections are the only ones with negative comments still on them, so I'm feeling picked on. Utterly irrational? Why yes, thank you.Part of the problem too, I think, is just adjusting to working with someone new. Brand and I have written together before, and we've edited more of each other's stuff than I care to think about. Josh I haven't really worked with before, and if possible, he's even nitpickier than I am. That's a good thing for my writing, it just makes me want to stomp my feet like a child and pout sometimes. Like this morning. If I recall correctly, I did the same thing when Brand first started editing my writing too. So, I put the manuscript away and starting whining here instead. Hey, what do I pay a webhost for if not for a place to whine?
I'm getting a little concerned with this whole writing deal. The only things I've been able to actually finish have been the things I'm doing for Tribe 8. At last count, I have about five other projects in varying stages of completion. There are two short stories, two potential novels, and one entertaining (if very very long) character background for a game I may never go back to playing. Well okay. I did finish "Rhythm of the Tides" for the Current Magazine contest. Hm. I sense a trend here. Do I need deadlines in order to finish anything? When I get frustrated with something, and I have no deadline on it, I put it aside. I think that's bad for me. I'm not struggling enough with it. With Adrift, when I got frustrated, I had to work through it, because there was a deadline. The most fulfilled I've felt as a writer recently was when I was happily working on Adrift and Rhythm, puzzling out what was wrong with them and fixing it, because I had to.
So that raises the question: how do I set deadlines for myself? I suppose I can figure out what's realistic and what isn't through trial and error. Right now my first thought is to get my proposal and book plan for my new Tribe 8 book done by April 27th, which is when I'm going to California. However, with my crankiness over the Adrift edits at the moment, I'm wondering if I shouldn't put off working on the plan until after I come back from California. Then there's also the fact that I have a take home exam (which is really going to be paper-length) for my government class. Okay. Here I go being decisive. My goal right now is to finish a first draft of my new selkie story by April 27th. Then I want to finish the book proposal by May 14th. In fact, I may even email my editor and tell her that. After that, well, we'll see.
Yay me, being decisive. And if those dates come and go with no word from me, bug me about it. Please.
Posted by Lisa at April 11, 2001 09:19 AM
