If I tell you how I’m feeling...

Submitted by Seth on Wed, 02/10/2010 - 13:45

I’m in the middle of a big revision on my second Jack Palms novel, This Is Life.  I’m at a point where I can see the end of the revision and the trees all around me. Yet I have no idea if what I’m working on is junk or good. My instincts point toward junk, but that seems more about me than about the book. The one thing I know now is that my instincts and current confused feelings about what the book looks like as a whole (particularly in terms of quality) are not to be trusted.

That’s the truth. I’m in a place where I’ve lost the forest for the trees, which I’m constantly pruning, and I cannot see the whole. Sure, I have specific doubts that might need addressing later on, but that seems normal. What can I do? Continue on in the manner that I have been. No other options. Besides, Young Junius, my next novel-to-be-revised, awaits.

Did I mention that the pre-sale date for the YJ special edition is now Cinco de Harwood--May 5th 2010?? It is.

PS: if you're in the Bay Area, I'll be spreaking at the California Writers Club on Sunday Feb, 21 at 2:00 at the Oakland Public Library. Flyer Attached. Hope to see you there!

Comments

Submitted by chrisbowsman on Wed, 02/10/2010 - 13:56.

Shake 'em down!

I'm not even gonna pretend like I can offer you advice about writing, so I'll just say, "Good luck." However it turns out, I'm betting it's gonna kick some ass.
Submitted by Raphael on Wed, 02/10/2010 - 20:59.

I guess it's a good sign...

It's nice to know you are human. That's a relief. One of my favorite writers once told us (I'm paraphrasing) that you know the writing will be good when the text you cut is good. And a screenwriting teacher taught us "it's all about the story." This Is Life is a terrific, well-told, story. All the signs point towards it being a terrific, well-written, book. Hang in there.
Submitted by Seth on Thu, 02/11/2010 - 12:50.

Sweet!

Thanks so much to both of you.

Yeah, that quote's likely from Dos Passos. He said the only way you can tell the quality of a piece of writing you're working on is by judging the quality of the pieces you're taking out.

So yeah, once you're cutting good stuff, what's left should (hopefully) be better.

That's good, because I just ditched two chapters that had some good stuff in 'em. But I've got to move the story forward!

Submitted by chrisbowsman on Thu, 02/11/2010 - 14:42.

Haircut?

I'm hoping that Jack getting taken to the police barber for a haircut is still there. If not, I'll live, but that made me laugh.