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After some serious thinking I am scratching my manuscript and starting a new, a new sense of direction and a better understanding of how I need to tell a story.
I want to thank each and every one of you… I have received 5 emailed critiques of my first page, and one critique (from a blog contest) of my first chapter, and everyone has lead to my decision. I see the mistakes I am making, and more importantly, I see how to fix it.
I wish there was something I could do to repay all your: support, advice, examples and motivation. You help me grow and give me hope, without you I wouldn't be on this path, without you I would be lost.
All those bloggers out there, who tagged me… I’ll try and get to them tomorrow.
I just wanted to thank you all; I am blessed to have such wonderful people to help me grow.
Thx for any comment you might leave!!
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Wow, the irony. I just posted a blog about the same thing, scrapping a WIP and starting over. Oh no, Jeff, you have writer's drunk too :(
ReplyDeleteJeff, I'm sure this was a difficult decision to make. I made the same tough decision with book #1. Even though I loved it, I knew I needed to move forward. Book #2 was better, and book #3 is what got the agent. We learn so much with each new project.
ReplyDeleteBut you know what? Your book doesn't have to be gone forever. Later, once you've written a couple more books, you may decide to come back and fix it. I'm trying to fix #2 right now, and some day, MAYBE I'll go back to book #1. For now though, it was a practice novel.
Remember this: NOTHING IS WASTED!!!!!
That is a big decision... a big, daunting, streessful decision! But one we all have to make every now and again. And its good that you at least know what you need to do to fix things. Good luck with the new ms and let us know if we can help!
ReplyDeleteYou are a brave man. That is a hard decision to make. You have a lot of work ahead of you, so good luck. I'm behind you all the way. A lot of authors who make it started with the same decision. Good luck to you and B.T.
ReplyDeleteI think every writer has been there. I have a manuscript I rewrote in its entirety, then scrapped it to write it again for a second time. It's a tough decision, but one that makes you feel stronger once you have a sense of direction. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteGotta Regency Romance novel in the cyber drawer that could be good if I took the time to rewrite it. I probably never will. I don't even count it among my "finished" novels.
ReplyDeleteMy first novel, which I still like, is already feeling so immature, I'll probably not touch it again unless I really find success and want to go back and fix it.
It's not the end, bud. It's the beginning.
I agree, it's a hard decision but as others said, someday you may decide to go back to it. In the meantime, enjoy writing your new novel!
ReplyDeleteI hope you keep at it. Starting fresh is tough, but you can do it!
ReplyDeleteYou go! It's hard to scrap something and start again, but you'll reap the rewards for it. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it a great feeling when you see how to fix it? It's like everything becomes clear all of a sudden! I think your willingness to open yourself to critique and revision shows you have what it takes. :D
ReplyDeleteBig decision, but sometimes it's the best one ou can make. I've done the same thing myself, and like Lisa just said, in some ways it's a great feeling to know what you really need to do.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to stop working on a ms after you've worked on it for so long. I've learned over the last few years that not everything I write is meant to be published, some things are just for practicing...
ReplyDeleteThe blogging community is so good about helping each other selflessly.
Good luck on your new wip!
Oh, Jeff, wow, what a choice to make. I've done the same thing so many times, but it's hard to do. What are you planning to start on? Some of the same characters, but a whole new everything else?
ReplyDeleteI'm shredding novel #2 right now, but I can't write on it until I finish a FULL outline of the second half of the novel, in detail, AND until I have gone through every character and really brainstormed about each one, with meaningful actions and ideas, so that these people are more than automatons fulfilling the action. I have a long way to go still.
E-mail me if you like. I'm on vacation until the end of July, so e-mail gets to me better than blog stuff (since I check it more often).