The great Alex J Cavanaugh once dreamt of a world where folks like me, the unstable, wishy washy, highly sensitive writer could vent their fears into the world without fear of reproach. Yes, that’s the same Alex J Cavanaugh whose novel, CassaFire, is just $.99 this week.
As for me, I’ve been waist deep in revisions for some time now. I’ve been piddling with this story for a few years now – and complaining about it for almost as long.
The reason I’ve been mired in endless revisions, which show no sign of ending, is that I have hit upon a story that I like. I mean, that I really like. So I keep rereading and tweaking things over and over again in hopes that it will be to other people, all the things it is to me. Which is great.
But with that, I think, comes a whole new level of insecurities. I’ve been trickling out short stories for a couple of years now, just tossing them out when I feel like I’m not really going to find a better home for them.
But this, this is different, this is my heart and soul, and a (intermittently at least) a few years of my life. Not constantly working on it, but constantly worrying about it. If this is the best that I can do right now, then any less than stellar rating I get for it will be a reflection of me, as an artist, as a human being, and as someone that spent a few years working on a thing that will most likely be met with a collective shrug from the world.
So I’m pensive, nervous, and am procrastinating. Latest target for overall readiness…. End of March. We’ll see how I feel about it then.
25 comments:
You'll probably never feel it's really ready but if it's as good as your short stories then I'm sure it'll be great.
If it's the one I read, you really need to bring it into the world, because it was just awesome.
Pensive, nervous, and procrastinating... Yep, sounds like me.
But I'm sure you have nothing to worry about.
I believe the saying goes "a novel is a long piece of writing with something wrong with it".
I know exactly what you're talking about.
(Incidentally, you are talking about dancing raccoons, right?)
I hate that feeling. The constant worry about our work. It' the worst. I hope it works out. I'd really like to read it.
I'm so worried about mine I've put it on the shelf for a while. I was spending too much time revising-while-writing and wasn't getting anywhere. I admire your ability to keep on keeping at it. Best of luck, and can't wait to read it.
Tina @ Life is Good
A to Z Team @ Blogging From A to Z April Challenge 2014
@TinaLifeisGood, #atozchallenge
Yes, it could be met with indifference, but that won't mean it isn't good. And there's every chance it will meet with success. Only one way to find out...
mood
Moody Writing
You do know the more you mess with it, the more likely you are to break it, right?
In an artist's mind a creation is never ready for the world. But too much tinkering/revising could well be a backward step. If wiser souls feel it is ready, then let it go and move on. Let someone else, an editor, cross the 't's and dot the 'i's. All the best
In an artist's mind a creation is never ready for the world. But too much tinkering/revising could well be a backward step. If wiser souls feel it is ready, then let it go and move on. Let someone else, an editor, cross the 't's and dot the 'i's. All the best
It's hard to let go sometimes. I think we have to make peace with knowing we do the best we can at the moment and it will be good enough. That it will find an audience who loves it.
I sympathize. I believe we all feel that way. We just have to have faith in our tales.
Tony's comment is one reason I'm glad I skim through comments.
Is this the long-awaited sequel to Dead God? I know you've mentioned other books along the way.
I'm with PT. You've got a lot of talent. If the short stories are any indication (let alone Dead God) then this book is going to be great.
YAY for procrastination!!! just kidding ... there's not much yay in it right now.
I wonder if the fact that you're extra nervous and all that means it really is a special book that neeeds to be set free in the universe? :)
If Alex says its good, its good, so get it out there. I want to read it.
Ugh, I feel ya. I could fiddle with a book _forever_ and never think it's done. Sometimes it's hard to let go!
These stories that touch us so much are our babies, aren't they? Putting them out there to be judged is terrifying. I'm hoping to are brave enough to share because now I am so intrigued...
Leanne Ross ( readfaced.wordpress.com & @LeanneRossRF )
So you will keep it in revision till you feel you can share it with the world.
Sounds like it's your baby, and you're waiting for it to grow up a little till it can walk on its own. I see no problems with that.
It's like giving birth to a baby I've heard. You probably love it so much you dread people not loving it as much as you.
I procrastinate all the time. Its not a big deal as long as you get the work done.
www.modernworld4.blogspot.com
All this makes me curious and really wanting to read it. So don't give up.
Ah, the tortured artist. I feel for you and lament my own procrastination. Then I think of a guy in the recently disbanded writers group I was attending. He'd been working on his novel for about 25 years trying to get it right. He finally bit the bullet and self-pubbed it with an Amazon ebook. Don't know what he's doing to promote it, but I don't think it's doing much in sales. To think of putting that much toil and time into something with no return seems lamentable, yet perhaps for him it's a relief.
Good luck and best of success with your current effort.
Lee
Wrote By Rote
An A to Z Co-host blog
If you REALLY like it, then I'm sure we'll all love it. Get it out there!
Ack. Get it out there. And then get on with the next one. Whoooo! What's the worst that can happen?
Post a Comment