Maureen Johnson has a hilarious vlog called Dare To Suck, which I first saw on LiveJournal kbaccellia's post.
It got me thinking about things that suck.
1. First Drafts (as stated by Ms Johnson, see video below).
2. Waiting. For agents to respond to full requests. And to a lesser extent, for beta's to return edits on a completed wip.
3. Waiting. No really. Waiting really sucks.
4. Waiting. I digress.
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I like how she explains what it feels like to hand in a manuscript when she's done revisions. Stunned, like she's been hit on the side of the head with a plank. That's exactly how I feel right now after working so hard on two wips and having completed revisions on them one right after the other. I'm sort of walking around, my finger stroking my bottom lip, going ba-ba-ba.
I know it's short lived. Soon my beta's will ask me to read for them in return. And maybe I'll have to start that next book. Better yet, I'll get that agent!
1-4, so true! I have no doubt you'll get that agent!
ReplyDeleteWaiting is the worst.
ReplyDeleteUgh! Waiting is definately the worst!
ReplyDeleteChristi
Yes! I know this feeling. This waiting feeling and the stunned feeling of getting to the end and realizing, "Holy crap, I'm done! I did it!"
ReplyDeleteAnd you WILL get that agent, Elle, I have no doubt. :)
Kelly and Elana -- thanks for that vote of confidence! It's really easy to self-doubt, as all writers are fully aware.
ReplyDeleteKaren and Christi--waiting, uhg is right!
I usually feel elated after finishing something, after which I feel exhausted and stupid because I'm not sure how to get involved again. It's like I'm a monogamous writer. "No, new story, I don't feel good about working on you yet. I have a bond with my completed manuscript..." Funny, funny video. I loved it. Thanks.
ReplyDeletetotally with you all...now if only i could get past the fear of all the waiting and possible rejections and actually finish and send out something! bravo you!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed my first draft until I hit the middle part. Now I'm slogging my way through it, wishing I could be done. I'm ready to revise!
ReplyDeleteActually I'll add that to the list
ReplyDelete5.) Middles (sometimes)
And one more
6.) computer glitches (ugh, I'm still having too many of them!)
I hate the waiting part - it really does suck! hang in there. Elana's right. :-)
ReplyDeleteI love that video. Dare to Suck is my new motto! And you're right, waiting sucks!
ReplyDeleteLove that video!
ReplyDeleteI totally understand that plank to the head feeling. It took me a few weeks to get over it and start my next novel!
And, I agree, waiting is the suckiest of sucks!
Oh y word, I laughed so hard at the image of you stumbling around flipping your lip, going ba ba ba ba! hahahahahaha! That will forever be ingrained in my mind.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm in complete agreement with you on things that suck. Oh my, yes I am....
Ha! You have turned the sucky part into hilarity. Thank you and best of luck.
ReplyDeleteThat was hilarious and SO TRUE. Most of what I write sucks.
ReplyDeleteAnd, oh and the waiting. The waiting. It NEVER gets better (at least it doesn't get better after you have and agent. Hopefully someday it will get better.
Also waiting... I so know where you're coming from!
ReplyDelete