Thread: Ands Commas Pronouns and more Ands - What is happening to me?

I'm about a quarter through my first manuscript and about all I see are

and

, ---ing

Danielle (et al.)

The whole book is starting to feel like I'm dragging a bag of bricks through a pond of molasses. Know what I'm talking about?

Originally Posted by mgencleyn

I'm about a quarter through my first manuscript and about all I see are

and

, ---ing

Danielle (et al.)

The whole book is starting to feel like I'm dragging a bag of bricks through a pond of molasses. Know what I'm talking about?

Here is what I suggest: Don't worry about it.

Finish the story!

All that molasses can be cleaned up in the 2nd and 3rd drafts.

Focus on the story and deal with the mechanics later.

I just re-wrote this post three times, so what does that tell you?

Oh, I'm going to finish it. It's out of my hands. I just feel word-drunk.

It's your first manuscript. I've discovered a lot of first-time novelists have this fear that everything must be perfect on the maiden voyage. Believe me when I say that chances are your first novel will not be perfect. It's an experiment. A testing of the waters, if you will. The words will come with practice. The repetition will wane with practice. At this point the only thing on your mind should be finishing it. Editing will take care of any discrepancies. Experience will be gained with every chapter and subsequent manuscript you pen. Writing novels is a tricky discipline which only gets better through practice.

For now, worry about writing it. Nothing else. As you write more, your writing and voice becomes stronger. You'll find ways to eliminate repetitive words and techniques. You'll discover how to pace. When to insert chapter breaks. It won't come all at once. It will take patience and constant practice, but it's worth it. My first novel is a calamity of bad clichés, horrible sentences, and laughable dialogue. I couldn't see it back then, so you've already honed your eye and mind to being your worst critic. Which is both good and bad. Good because it means you will strive for perfection. Bad because perfection is an oft-sought but seldom-achieved goal.

In five years' time you'll look back on this novel. You'll still be proud of the achievement but you'll notice a vast improvement in your current work. That is the joy of writing. We always improve. For now, though, you have a novel to write. Be willing and unafraid to make mistakes. Be willing to write this novel and never let it see the outside of your bedroom walls. I'm not saying it won't be good enough, but to not expect it to be. I've been writing novels for over a decade and it's only in the last two years that I've felt they're ready for general consumption. That isn't meant to scare or intimidate you, but just to let you know that it takes time.

Good luck with it.

I gave up on my manuscript about 60 times so far. At this rate I figure I will have given up on it 240 times by the time I finish it.

Seriously though, that's awesome. In part because I actually anticipated all of that, but also because you validated my assumptions. But really, I am beyond any need for encouragement or pap rallies. This book has a mind of its own, and I'm just the fingers. I have sentences, paragraphs, sections that are amazing, and some that are crap. Yet I move on to the next line.

It's just that it's all becoming a big blur. Maybe I'm looking for a pick-me-up?


btw, that was a hell of a post.

Originally Posted by mgencleyn

The whole book is starting to feel like I'm dragging a bag of bricks through a pond of molasses. Know what I'm talking about?

If you're capable of making a simile this entertaining, I'm sure your novel will be an awesome read. I can only say what the others have said, keep at her. Given enough drafts anything will shine. I think the simple not giving up, the keeping at it, is what separates a lot of the people who make it from the people who don't, especially with novel-sized endeavors. And not to say it's because the people who don't give up are stronger, but maybe they're simply aware that the not giving up is the key, and reminding themselves of that can be an encouragement in the difficult times. Best of luck .

Thanks!

I think last night was just overload from unrelated things. I was pretty exhausted.

Excellent post Sam, Thank you!