That seems unbelievable. This work is so much part of my life, yet I haven’t shared it.
Yet in some ways I have not done much that I could really talk about. My last news was that I had completed a first draft and was sorting the sections into the order they will remain.
OK I can say I’ve completed that.
Having said that I have to admit the past couple of months have not been very productive with the WIP.
To be fair to myself I have been plugging along fairly steadily at it. Most days I would be spending an hour or an hour and a half on rewriting.
I have also written a few sections from scratch (when I put the whole together there seemed to be a few gaps). But until last week I have to say I really felt like I was going round in circles.
I was actually beginning to wonder if the whole work was missing something. I like the characters, I like the overall story, but it felt like it was not working.
Then over the past week, I am not quite sure why, I felt much more positive. I made some changes in a few chapters which led me to write a couple more “filler” sections. Now I feel like I am back on track.
It might sound odd, but I am just about to begin reading it aloud to Deb. That is a step I took with my first novel Veiled in Shadows, just before I sent it out to other readers.
I find reading aloud really positive. It let’s me pick a lot of stupid errors. And as a bonus I get my first external perspective. If it passes muster with Deb I am then game to share it with others.
Then I can start thinking about finding Beta-readers.
Gratuitous Waterfall shot.
Next: Can you handle more waterfalls?
7 comments:
The read-aloud is essential to me. You're right about catching errors that way, plus it really highlights any places where the rhythm might be off.
And, yeah, there's always room for more waterfalls. :)
Yay for having Deb to read alound too!! And waterfalls are always welcome especially when they herald your very positive writerly feelings!! Yay! Take care
x
I find it very difficult to talk about a work-in-progress. In fact, I think it can be detrimental to do so. It can jinx the creative process, imho. If the reading aloud works for you, great. I don't like the sound of my own voice. Silly, I know. I think we all experience these ups and downs while writing, but it sounds like you're on track. Love those target birds and, of course, your waterfall.
imho, reading aloud is essential to catching silly errors as well as any interruption to the flow of the words.
And yes! to more waterfalls :)
Waterfalls are some of favourite things!! Love them.
I've read aloud some sections of my stories to me, but not to anyone else. Maybe one day! :)
You really have been plugging along. Way to go. It's wonderful you're starting with the read aloud step. That will help a lot.
Such pretty flowers in your last post. :)
It's amazing the difference it makes when we read our manuscripts aloud.
Lurve your waterfall pic. (Love them all, really)
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