I’ve been thinking about writing this post all week, and now I’m sat in front of my keyboard I have no idea what to say or how to say it. I’m sure you can identify with that feeling and not just with blog posts. A blank screen can either be something wonderful and inviting or like facing a blank and fierce wall. Today I appear to be staring into the face of that wall.
What I want to tell you about is where I am with my manuscript in relation to moving on from the rejection last Monday, but staring at this white screen here, my mind is drawing a blank. I really should carry a note book about with me and stop and pull the car over when I have idea’s. The problem is, I do a lot of my thinking when I’m driving. My drive to work is about 45 minutes, so twice a day gives me a wonderful hour and a half a day uninterrupted thinking time. The problem is, if I pulled over every time I had an idea, I’d never get anywhere, or I’d have to at least double my driving time! I rely on my memory holding on to it all and believe if it’s a good idea, then it will stay and if not, then it won’t really be missed.
This has also been the process with my manuscript since the rejection. For the past two weeks, I have been running through it in my head, during the drive to and from work. On Monday of this week, I actually picked up an A4 notepad I had in my desk drawer and started the initial steps for the revisions.
It was only a week to the day after the rejection. I genuinely thought it would take me longer. I thought I would need more time to recover, to pick myself up and dust myself down, but do you know what? Having that time to think and process and feel my way through the manuscript in my head, along with the feedback, I know that this book is right. I can absolutely work on the points raised and I can make it better. I believe in this work. I believe in my characters. The revision process has started.
Is there somewhere you like to go to think things through and work things out?
Rebecca – You most certainly have started the revision process if you truly believe in your work and your characters. That’s the first step. And honestly, the time you spend thinking is just as important as the time you spend writing in terms of making your book what you want it to be. At least that’s the way it is with me. I’m glad you’re working on ways to pick up your manuscript and make it what it can be. And now to your question about where I go to work things out. Sometimes I do it in the car while I’m driving. Sometimes I do it early in the morning before anyone else is awake. Walking my dogs is a good time to think too. And that thinking is incredibly helpful.
Thanks Margot. I do believe I get a lot done, in the quite thinking times. Problems seems to unravel themselves a lot easier when they have the space, rather than when I am stamping my fists on my desk at them.
Yes, I really do believe in my characters and as I wrote that, I knew I just had to carry on with this manuscript. 🙂
You go, Rebecca–sounds like you’re doing all the right things. Rejection is tough, but you’re figuring out a great response. You’ll make your manuscript even stronger, and I love your style and attitude. Where do I go and think about stuff like that? I’m a bit of an obsessive, like a dog with a bone. I find myself worrying away at problems and issues constantly, until eventually something pops. I need an action plan, and then I can let go. Keep going, keep revising, keep us posted: we’re with you all the way! xx
Thanks Nicky. I think rejection can either make us or break us and those os us who really want to see our work live, will keep pushing forward,
I love blogging, this would be so much harder without the cheerleaders I have here. Thank you! 🙂
Glad you’re back at it!
Carry a recorder with you in the car. Or call yourself and leave a message.
I tend to work through ideas while I’m practicing my guitar.
I think that is a great idea Alex. I’m not sure why I didn’t think of that. Probably because I have so much crap on my phone, I forgot I had that capability. Thank you!
It’s good to get started as soon as possible. I know, because my novel WIP has been sitting on a shelf since March because I didn’t get started soon enough. I’m now working on other things. Maybe you could have a dictaphone – smart phones have voice recorders – so when you have an idea, you just have to record it. It will look like you’re talking to yourself in the car, but who cares!
My ideas come at night, in bed, usually after I’ve turned the light off. I’ll write down the ideas the first few times, but then I get tired and can’t be bothered – those are the brilliant ideas that are lost by morning though 🙁
I think that’s the plan now Annalisa. I will put the voice recorder in an easy place to get to and I will talk to myself in the car! 🙂 It’s the playing it back part I won’t particularly like. Who likes listening to their own voice!
Night time is a weird one isn’t it. Yes, we can get up and write them down, but it’s hard work if it’s a regular thing. I suppose figuring out which ones are actually worth getting up for is the thing to do.
Wishing you lots of luck with your new project!
Yes, Annalisa and Alex beat me to it. get a wee dictaphone. I have one! If I can’t capture a lightbulb moment it drives me insane!! I do my best thinking when I am utterly absorbed in something else or in the bath. I love my bath. Viewing my bath swung the deal for me in buying my flat ; ) Other experiences trigger of solutions to my stuck moments in writing. Best of luck with the revisions, it’s great you’ve got feedback to sink your teeth into : ) xx
Dictaphones and baths. That would be an accident waiting to happen for me! I have dropped my phone in the bath before now. It’s not good.
Apparently, kitchens and bathrooms are the two biggest reasons people buy their homes, so it makes sense that you fell for your bathroom.
I will give the voice recorder a try though. It’s a great idea. Thank you!
Hi Rebecca!
I’m constantly thinking things through and share your predicament – I’m often not in a position to jot the idea down when it floats into my head. Arrgh! A legacy of a busy life I guess. My thinking time is best alone: trudging over the fields with the dog, when the house is quiet and I can’t sleep, driving to work.
I’m glad you are working on your revisions and you feel good about your manuscript. If you are proud of your work, others will feel that pride – it’s infectious:) Best of luck x
Thanks Jane. I hope that after this round of revisions, the pride is infectious and someone can see the work and love and promise that is in the manuscript.
I think there may be many of us talking to ourselves as we whip out our voice recorders when we can’t sit down and write! 🙂