I'm Back
Monday, August 30, 2010 Ahhhhhhh! That sound you hear is me exhaling after some much-needed time away from work. It's amazing - you don't realize how plugged in you are in this day and age until you actually stop being so plugged in. Leaving my cell phone in the hotel room. Not checking Twitter like I didn't have anything better to do. Jumping in the pool instead of holing up reading status updates on Facebook. And what these unplugged days have given me is some serious excitement about returning to my one (hopefully) last draft of edits to my manuscript. I mean, I am really, really, really stoked to dive back in - and it's something that I thought a lot about on the trip. We've discussed here before if an author's enthusiasm for his or her work is felt in the final product, and way back when, when we were discussing it, I think we were mostly unsure, but felt pretty firmly that what went on behind the scenes didn't affect the outcome.
But you know what? I'm rethinking this. Because throughout the process of The Memory of Us, I have been super-stoked to tackle the manuscript, and now, with this mini-break, my enthusiasm is even higher. And I'll tell you what: early readers are giving this ms a big thumbs-up...I'd say it's in the same shape now - after three drafts - that The One That I Want was after seven. And I can't help but think it's because I am so damn excited to be writing it. With The One, which I remain super-proud of and fully believe in the finished product, there was a lot more hair-pulling, a lot more stress, and a lot more pressure. This one is just purely from a place of joy, a reminder of what I love what I do, and I really, honestly wish that I could just put it out into the world RIGHT NOW to test my theory. :)
Anyway, this could certainly lead into a bigger discussion, which we did delve into many months ago, about what translates to a reader from behind-the-scenes, and this is a subject that I hope to revisit on the road to the publication of The Memory of Us. For now though, I'm just happy to be so pleased with the manuscript and happier still to return to it. Sometimes, work really just feels like work (writers always need a reminder of this), but I'm elated that this one doesn't. Maybe my next one will. But for now, I'll take what I can get. :)
Writers - I'd love to hear - have any of your books come more easily to you than others? Do you think it affected the final version?
Reader Comments (10)
Hmm, I don't remember what I said in the earlier discussion, but I'm pretty sure I was then what I still am now: a FIRM believer that an author's enthusiasm will make a better book. Now, that's not to say you CAN'T write a perfectly good book that you're just "not feeling." I think you can. But I really think that when you are passionate about something, it shines through in what you do and what you produce, and readers can see that. (Perhaps a bit like artists who go through periods -- "blue periods," "sunny periods," etc.?)
Glad you enjoyed your disconnect! I'm getting my own next week. ^_^ In the meantime, I am totally LOVING on my new ms. Even if I unplug from the internet, I think I'm going to stay in touch with my writing.
I wasn't in on the earlier discussion, but as a writer in the midst of my first book, I think the author's enthusiasm most definitely comes through. When I was shopping my proposal around, agents and editors said my enthusiasm for the topic was infectious. And while reading my chapters, even I can tell which ones came out easily and which feel forced. When an author is writing something she doesn't have passion for, it can feel stiff and forced and like a whole lot of teeth pulling. Writing from a place of ethusiasm, I think, can read effortlessly and natural. Of course, with a wonderful writer, even the "forced" writing can be good writing.. Just different, I guess.
I do agree though, that writers need to remember that work is work. At least I do. Some days I just want to stay in bed and need to remember that when you make a job of something, you have to do it even when the inspiration isn't at its highest. Though I do think some time away is often the best way to recharge the excitement..
Thanks again for a thoughtful post!
My second novel was my quickest (from first words to final draft in two months) and my third novel was just a tad longer. Both felt like a whirlwind while writing... average was a chapter a day on the first draft, and sometimes two or three chapters in one day. (Messy house and no sleep? Definitely.) I'm currently working on number four, and it's begging me to go slowly and let it simmer, writing only a little at a time. For example, it took me three weeks just to get the first three chapters out. And novel number one is coming up on two years worth of revisions. So yes, each project has its own individual needs. I wouldn't say I was any less passionate to write any of them over the other, though. Every time I start a new novel I feel like a racehorse at the starting gate, waiting to take off down the track of creative possibilities.
Certain books come easier as well as certain drafts. I thoroughly enjoyed the last draft of my current ms, but am not feeling as enthusiastic to dive back in again for, hopefully, the last revision. As some people know, I've had a rough few months, so I've lost some of my usual positive energy. After I talk w/my agent today, I hope I'll feel a bit more excited.
I'm so happy for you that you're on a true writing high. There are few things better in life then fully turning yourself over to your art.
Welcome back! It's awesome to "hear" your excitement in this post! Good for you-- it's clearly a wonderful feeling that comes from believing in your ms and your genuine love for what you do. Can't wait to read TMOU now! I was excited before, but your enthusiasm is contagious. :)
First of all ... welcome back! I'm so glad to hear you had such a wonderful, relaxing vacation. Isn't it just amazing what some time off can do?
That said - I'm on vacation this week and have been waking up at 6:45 every morning to squeeze in a couple hours of writing time before everyone else is ready to start the day. I am simply so ridiculously excited about working on my current manuscript that I can't bring myself to stop. I've genuinely loved writing every project I've had so far, but there's just something about this one that gives me an enthusiasm I can't quite describe in words (other than EEEK or SQUEEEEE). It's such an amazing feeling - like you said, it doesn't feel like work in the slightest, other than a "work of heart."
I definitely think the way an author views a project affects the final product in some regards. When that uninhibited excitement and passion are there, it comes across. On the opposite end of the spectrum, though, sometimes the things that don't come easy end up meaning so much precisely because of that. The love of writing is still there, just in a different way. That said ... coming from a place of joy is honestly one of the most incredible feelings. It's just indescribable.
Already looking forward to reading The Memory of Us!! Your enthusiasm leaps right out of the computer screen :)
Welcome back..... I believe your enthusiasm really does make for a better book, just as it would for a better product in any job. I predict we're going to see a terrific performance from this book, because readers will experience the joy you have put into the writing of the book!
Thanks, everyone! Glad this is a topic of interest - I'll flesh it out further in another post. Glad to be back (even if I'd still rather be on the beach). :)
I wasn't here for the first discussion, but I do think enthusiasm makes a difference. (You can certainly tell in movies, but I think you often can in books as well.) Enthusiasm isn't the same thing as pace - Lydia above mentions this. You can still be enthusiastic or passionate and write slow - it can linger. Just as you can tear through a manuscript just to be done of the thing. I find if I don't complete the first draft of a novel within 8 weeks, 12 tops, I end up putting it aside. Not enough enthusiasm to continue, it shows, I like the book less, and it cycles.
I've only written one book (so far), and it's not yet published (feel that optimism?), but I can't imagine plowing through an entire manuscript if I didn't feel passionate about it. I've been going through that now in revisions. I put the manuscript aside for a while and have recently picked it back up, and that little break has me dying to work on it again. LIke, I can't believe I'm taking time to post a blog comment because I really want to be doing nothing, all day long, but working on this book. (I have a house, a husband, a kid, a day job and a prolific freelance career, so I can't actually do that, but you get what I'm saying.)
Hopefully that passion will translate into a published novel. If it doesn't, it's not because I haven't poured my entire being into the pages. And hopefully my ideas for my second, third, fourth, etc. books will light me up the same way this one has.
Oh, and I can't wait to read The Memory of Us! Your enthusiasm about it definitely increases my anticipation for it - and will probably even affect my reading of it, if that makes any sense. I already know I like your work, so if you love The Memory of Us this much, I feel pretty sure I'm going to love it too.