How many newbie mistakes did I make with my first book? Oh, so many. But the worst one, and the one I regret the most, is rushing.
I went to my first conference with a complete manuscript, but not a completely edited manuscript. The first chapter was stellar, but the rest, not so much. I was completely surprised to get requests.
My writing mentor at the time advised me not to hurry, and even suggested asking the editor/agents for more time.
Did I listen? Of course not. I had some strange notion that I must get this book out, even if it wasn’t in good shape, or… (cue: the end of my writing dreams).
You probably can guess the end of the story. Of course, I got rejected, and I’m just surprised that one of them gave me helpful feedback.
I swore that I’d never do that again.
But the thing is I have. It seems like with every manuscript I’ve submitted so far, I’ve jumped the gun. If it’s not a conference, it’s a contest that catches my eye. It’s like this pretty little babble hanging in front of me: “Enter me. Enter me.” I lose all rationality. I think, “I’ll just give it a whirl and see how it goes.” I totally ignore all my misgivings about plot points not working or less than polished prose.
I’ve learned a lot from contests and conferences. I’ve learned how to pitch, how to craft a query, how to make that first page shine. I’ve experienced the high of people in the industry complementing or requesting my work.
But I still haven’t mastered not rushing.
I’m starting to feel the temptation again. I’m very close to finishing my revisions on yet another manuscript. The end is in sight. And though I know I need to do at least one more beta round, I’m starting to feel that itch again.
Summer means contests. “Enter me. Enter me.” I start justifying. Nobody needs to look at this again. It will just take too much time. I don’t need to set it aside for a month to cool off. It’s fine as it is. And on and on.
Maybe just posting this here will keep me accountable. No more contests or conferences or pitch sessions until I know that it’s ready.
Because if I’ve learned anything, you can’t sell a manuscript off a first page.
I really want to stop treating writing like a race to the finish.
What about you? Do you feel the temptation to rush just to get your manuscript out there?
What is The Insecure Writer's Support Group?
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time.
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Our Twitter hashtag is #IWSG
photo credit: christmas via photopin (license)
What is The Insecure Writer's Support Group?
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time.
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Our Twitter hashtag is #IWSG
I've been guilty of this too. I think we get so excited when we think we see the finish line. Good luck taking a deep breath before you rush into something again.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to know I'm not alone!
DeleteOh, rushing..... Yeah, I think when we all begin writing seriously we tend to think what we've created is better than it is. It's not our fault. We've yet to learn the way the system works, the way of the writing process. I mean, 'Revise again?' Why would I do that? I just did it. lol
ReplyDeleteHa! Yes, it's so hard. We don't have very good perspective, especially at first.
DeleteGuilty, guilty, guilty. And I have the rejection slips to prove it. I have matured so much in the past five years, in the last decade. Yes, thank God for rejections.
ReplyDeleteI'm so thankful rejections too. That stuff wasn't ready yet.
DeleteResist the urge!! Force yourself to do one more pass on it. I'll send over some clones to make sure you don't hit the submit button too soon...
ReplyDeleteI think I do need some help from those clones...
DeleteI rushed my first books and they've gone through so many rounds of editing trying to fix them. Even my upcoming collection has been edited again. Trust me, you want to do it right the first time.
ReplyDeleteThank you! That's good to know.
DeleteOh god, I know. I do this all the time. I wrote a big post about it last year, too. And you're right - I never learn. I'm thinking of giving myself a non-negotiable one-month quarantine period after I finish a piece, where I have to let it sit, can't submit it, can't LOOK at it. That way at the end of the onth I can go back with fresh eyes and make it better. That'll work for shorter pieces, but for novels, it might have to be a three month quarantine.
ReplyDeleteOoh, I like the quarantine idea. I think that's what I need to do!
DeleteI've definitely been guilty of this, but I'm trying to meet that rushing obsession with short story and poetry submissions to various publications while keeping a steadier pace with my longer work - not sure I've been successful, but that's my ploy for now.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea, actually! I haven't written anything short for a long time, but I see how that could help with the submission obsession.
DeleteI'm wondering where the rush to submit is coming from. Is it from an urge to share the story? to connect with readers? to have the thrill of your book accepted and published traditionally? In a sense, vetted by those agents/publishers who set high standards?
ReplyDeleteEven as I too thrill with that sense of accomplishment on finishing a wip, regardless of genre, tackling the traditional route of agent --> publisher can be exhausting. Some people thrive on rejection. I don't. Instead, I've opted for self-publishing -- after making my stories as fully edited and ready for the reader as I can. Don't know if this is a help, but the industry is changing so rapidly that even traditional publishers are adding self-publishing services. And a book that's been self-published can be edited again and re-uploaded. I hope you will trust your intuitions, submit a few shorts, and send that longer wip out for a second round of betas. Beth
Thank you, Beth. I'm sure it's the last thing honestly although it is also partly being able to connect with readers. I appreciate your thoughts. I don't know if I'll self-publish, but you've given me some things to think about.
DeleteI'm sure I've done this. At the time, I may have convinced myself that the novel was ready. But then I'd look at it with fresh eyes and realize it wasn't. I think I've gotten better at this. Of course, my last book was part of a series so I already know my characters and their world. That made it easier to write.
ReplyDeleteYes, this is exactly what has happened to me as soon as I've had some distance (usually after I've already submitted it).
DeleteEvery time a book debuts in the genre I am writing I get a jolt of 'hurry up' but have to resist. Anything worth doing is worth doing well. True words.
ReplyDeleteYes, I know what you mean. Great advice.
DeleteThe fact that you've gotten as far as all that shows you have potential. Give yourself credit for that!
ReplyDeleteAh, thank you so much, Tess!
DeleteYeah, I have that problem too. I tell myself the book is finished and start sending it out even though I know in my heart it's not.
ReplyDeleteYes, that's the key: listening to that little voice telling you it isn't ready.
DeleteRushing has been responsible for a lot of regret in the world. I'm glad you're learning how to make yourself slow down and attend to detail. Now, to make sure you don't swing to the other side of the pendulum and never be willing to declare a project done…
ReplyDeleteHa! Yes, I think I've made both mistakes. :)
DeleteWell, I can tell you're a good writer from this post. The voice, humor and pace...it's all there in the right proportions. No wonder you want to get your work out there. I suffer from the same thing but finally I'm slowing down and thinking. For me, summer has been a great time for mulling things over. I've moved my operation outdoors. I'm painting flowers and not writing words for now, unless its blogging. It feels fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Stephanie, for your kind words. I'm trying to get out more and think this summer too, although it's also the time when I can get the most writing done. It's nice to have more space to think.
DeleteYeah, I was bad at that. I pitched agents at two conferences with basically a first draft done. They didn't see any of the work, but both told me to send pages. Luckily, I freaked out, realized the manuscript was no way ready for an agent, and didn't send anything. I'm now much slower with things and give manuscripts time to breathe.
ReplyDeleteYou're lucky you came to your senses before you sent it. It's so easy to get carried away with the excitement.
DeleteI think we've all made that mistake because we are so eager to turn our dreams into reality.
ReplyDelete