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Kate Pearce ~ Guest Blogging on the Weirdness of the Writing ProfessionSeptember 26, 2009 at 8:34 am | Category: Guest Blogger, blog Writing is a weird profession. The way traditional publishing is structured means that you are constantly looking back at yourself and your work. From a print book standpoint, it takes about a year from acceptance of your manuscript to seeing it on the shelves. I’m currently getting early reviews for my latest release, “Simply Wicked”, which I handed in to my publisher almost a year ago. While I’m trying to remember what that one was about, I’ve already finished the next one, ‘Simply Insatiable’, and I’m dealing with the copy edits, and I’ve finished the next one which is still titled ‘Simply VI’ which is due back in October. And within those time frames copy edits galley pages, proposals for new books, books for other publishers flow back and forth. It’s less like a stream and more like a whirlpool where things constantly get thrown back at you. When I look at the book that is out this month, I always know that I could probably write it even better, even tighter now, but it’s too late. It is how it is- because at that point in my writing life it was truly the best it could be. I’ve often wondered if I’m the only author who thinks like this, but I doubt it. I know a lot of my writing friends won’t even go back and read their published books in case they hate them. Not me, I read every page and enjoy where I was when I wrote that book and look forward to making the next one even better. How about you? Writers do you ever refuse to let go of a piece of work because you are convinced it will never be perfect? Readers do you ever wish you could rewrite a favorite authors book for them? ~Kate Pearce **One lucky commenter will receive a copy of Kate’s latest release. So go ahead, make yourself heard. And, good luck! |
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On September 26th, 2009 at 12:10 pm, Chris said:
I think it’s pretty normal to see work you’ve done later after you’ve sold it and say, “damn, I should have reworked that sentence”, or “God, someone actually bought this”.
And yeah, I’ve found myself playing editor a few times with my favorite author, thinking, “Oooh, she should have done this instead.” I try not to let myself do that, but when I’m in edit mode, everything I come across gets my critical eye.
Great post!
On September 26th, 2009 at 12:36 pm, Kelly Jamieson said:
I’m one of those who can’t help but reread earlier works with a critical eye and know I could write it better now. Thank you Kate, for adjusting my attitude – from now on, I will use reading those earlier stories as a reminder of where I was in my journey as a writer when I wrote that and be proud of how far I’ve come.
On September 26th, 2009 at 4:29 pm, Kate Pearce said:
Thanks for having me Sandra!
Kate x
On September 26th, 2009 at 5:13 pm, Chinnie said:
As a reader I have wished that some of the stories I’ve read were not necessarily written differently but more to the effect that the author could have used a certain scene work better for the character. It could have made a difference on how I feel about the character(s).
It’s great that you actually reread your books to make your next one better. If I was a writer, I probably would be scared to see the mistakes I made and obsessively thinking what if… Thank you for the opportunity to win your book. Good Luck and can’t wait!!!
On September 26th, 2009 at 5:51 pm, Hailey Edwards said:
You are absolutely right about writing the best book you can at the time you’re writing it. You have given me more than a little peace with that insight.
I don’t think I will ever revisit stand alone pieces I’ve written, but I do like/have to re read series to get back in touch with my characters and the emotional state the end of a book left them in.
Plus, I miss them
On September 26th, 2009 at 5:57 pm, RKCharron said:
I asked Lilith Saintcrow about this very thing.
Her advice was: “My standard is: zero draft, first draft, beta reader looks over it, revise, then agent/publisher sees it.” “If it’s finished, set it aside for a month. Work on something else. Then go back and ruthlessly revise.”
I write the best novel I can at the time, and work to perfect the next.
Thanks for sharing,
All the best,
RKCharron
xoxo
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