Every time I finish a book, I think, “I am never gonna write a book again!” It’s so much fun to start them out, but then it gets hard. And then you finish and you have to go back and make it make sense. And then you have to make it better. And then you have to make it better.
And then you take it to your critique group and, if they’re a good critique group, you have to fix all the goof-ups you didn’t catch. And then you have to make it better. And again. And again.
Finally, you submit it for publication. Let’s say it’s accepted. Then the editor sends it back to you all marked up, and you have to fix it. Then the editor says, “That’s the easy stuff, now let’s get serious.” So you have to make it better.
When the editor is satisfied, the book gets formatted for publication. Then it comes back to you and you have to read it again, to catch formatting errors, and also punctuation and spelling errors that got through all the previous screenings.
Then it goes to electronic publication, and you have to read it again, to catch formatting errors, and also punctuation and spelling errors everybody still missed.
Then it goes to audio, and you have to read the damn thing again while listening to the recording, to catch any errors made by the reader. You’ll also catch punctuation and spelling errors, but oops! too late for that. Then you send the reader your corrections, and the reader corrects the narration, and you have to read the damn thing again while listening to the recording, to make sure it’s okay.
So by now, I’m really like, “I will never ever ever ever write another book — EVARRR!”
But I will.
Because it’s so much fun to start them out. So! Much! Fun!
A WRITING PROMPT FOR YOU: Write about a character who likes to begin things.
MA
Dan
December 21, 2015 at 7:39amHmmm, it remains a dream, but I’m not sure if you’re encouraging me or warning me (or both).
Marian Allen
December 21, 2015 at 11:32amBoth, Dan, both. Go for it, bro!
Jane
December 21, 2015 at 9:45amNice touchdown celebration. That’s my view, anyway.
I see why you write so much shorter fiction. It’s easier to proofread, if not in any other aspect.
Marian Allen
December 21, 2015 at 11:32amEzzackly.
Miguel de Luis
December 21, 2015 at 12:33pmI am now writing a gamebook, and I can feel the pain multiplied tenfold. It’s not only all that but also checking on dozen stories all taking place at the same time.
Argh!
Marian Allen
December 21, 2015 at 1:14pmUrgh! That sounds worse than doing a series or a set of interconnected novels! I can barely keep track of my OWN life, let alone hundreds of other people’s. :/
Mitch Mitchell
December 21, 2015 at 12:45pmI say that here and there but like you, just gotta keep writing! 🙂 Course, you’re doing all that other stuff while I just finish the book, create it as a pdf and move on with life. Good for you; keep going!
Marian Allen
December 21, 2015 at 1:15pmSounds good to me, Mitch!
mary montague sikes
December 21, 2015 at 1:10pmI can so relate to this. However, the very worst part is marketing. That makes me know I will never write another book!
Marian Allen
December 21, 2015 at 1:21pmOh, MARKETING! Urgh! Aargh! I wish I could market like Evil Roy Slade. “Here’s good books. Gimme money.” But NO-oo-oo.
A.C. Flory
December 21, 2015 at 3:20pmDAmmit! Why’d you have to remind me? Now Christmas is ruined…boo hoo. 😀
Marian Allen
December 21, 2015 at 4:43pmNoooooooooo! lol
Damyanti
December 22, 2015 at 10:19pmI’m at that ‘never again’ stage right now!
Marian Allen
December 23, 2015 at 8:48amOh, we can’t have that! Hope that stage passes quickly. 🙂