Congratulations!!! I hope things go well from here with your book. Oof. Deadlines. I used to be really organized and had no problem getting things done by a loose deadline for personal things. The hard and fast deadlines are book reviews. I want my review to be up before the publication date. Sometimes the deadline gets tricky when unexpected things come up but I'm mostly on time!
I do impose deadlines on myself, but I'm more likely to meet deadlines imposed by others if it's related to writing. And I do use bookmarks. I have a method to tell me where I left off. Front side up top of book if I left off on the left-side page near the top. Front side down for lower on that page, and bookmark reversed up or down for right side of the page.
We must talk more about that very precise and interesting way you use bookmarks!
A number of friends tell me that they love deadlines set by others because it helps them be more productive. I'm wondering if my own trouble is related to my resistance to any kind of authority, perceived or real. More to think about.
TE Lawrence left Seven Pillars of Wisdom in the cafe at Reading station. He telephoned the station from Oxford when he arrived, but the case with the manuscript had gone and was never found. The version we read is an earlier, "inferior" one.
This is just one of many from famous authors. So starting over may be a gift.
As far as deadlines go. I need them because I procrastinate way too much.
This is a great story and one that I didn't know, Ron, thank you! I used to procrastinate lots more but these days, I'm selective about it. There's a difference, I now understand, between setting aside tasks or commitments for the moment so I can finish something important, and putting off the important thing.
Congratulations, Betsy. I can identify: Sixteen years went by between my first book and my second. In my first bookless decade, I didn't have an idea that could fill more than a Facebook post. Starter Dog took six years to write. I hardly dared call myself a writer. If you're not yourself unless you write, then you are a writer. You remain a writer no matter who publishes your book or how many copies it sells. I wish you well with your novel.
Betsy, you have encapsulated the fear, angst, and little triumphs that seem to inhabit the life of every writer. I find myself in a rather different situation than I have ever been in before. My latest novel was deemed not publishable in its current form and in the current market, but the changes she wants me to make (turning it into two books instead of one, and starting in a different time and place) essentially demolish the vision I had for the book. I'm never opposed to revision, even major revision, but those changes turn the project into a two-book series that I have no interest in writing. So now I'm trying to decide which of seven novels in my idea folder that I want to turn to next. Unfortunately, that prior experience makes me second guess each one. Is it marketable? Will my agent like it? I never worried about those things before. It's sort of a crisis of confidence that I never had before. My wife tells me, just pick one and write it. Write what you want, and don't worry about that other stuff. Like I used to do. During my upcoming time in San Diego, I will make a decision. And maybe we'll have a chance to get together -- unless you're deep into revision, in which case I should leave you alone!
This is a dilemma and I am going to be very interested in how you approach your next project. The important thing here, in my opinion, is that you made the key decision that you were not going to invest your time and effort in a project that didn't feel right to you. We've only got one life and only so much time to write.
The second guessing is natural - and there is nothing wrong with observing what is working / selling / connecting with folks who read and buy books. I'm guessing there are several of your existing ideas to will work there. It will be fun to talk about.
What I'm hearing from you is a PROGRESS report; PROGRESS! No matter your imposed deadlines; no matter the awkward interferences from family, dogs, friends, et al. I could NEVER stay with a project for a decade, but I applaud your dedication to "getting it right." I was chatting with Jorge yesterday & I said the JOURNEY was the most important consideration in our lives; not the imposed goals, nor the awards & I think your journey has been remarkable & inspiring. I have full confidence that 2026 will enhance your journey & continue to inspire your followers. PS: hope you beat that dreadful cold!
Yes, progress. I was happy about making a milestone that told me I was making progress. It felt tangible. And thank you, once again, for your kind and encouraging words. The journey is the thing that matters so much more to me now -- do you think it is because we've all reached that time of life when we can finally grasp that?
Congratulations!!! I hope things go well from here with your book. Oof. Deadlines. I used to be really organized and had no problem getting things done by a loose deadline for personal things. The hard and fast deadlines are book reviews. I want my review to be up before the publication date. Sometimes the deadline gets tricky when unexpected things come up but I'm mostly on time!
I do impose deadlines on myself, but I'm more likely to meet deadlines imposed by others if it's related to writing. And I do use bookmarks. I have a method to tell me where I left off. Front side up top of book if I left off on the left-side page near the top. Front side down for lower on that page, and bookmark reversed up or down for right side of the page.
We must talk more about that very precise and interesting way you use bookmarks!
A number of friends tell me that they love deadlines set by others because it helps them be more productive. I'm wondering if my own trouble is related to my resistance to any kind of authority, perceived or real. More to think about.
TE Lawrence left Seven Pillars of Wisdom in the cafe at Reading station. He telephoned the station from Oxford when he arrived, but the case with the manuscript had gone and was never found. The version we read is an earlier, "inferior" one.
This is just one of many from famous authors. So starting over may be a gift.
As far as deadlines go. I need them because I procrastinate way too much.
This is a great story and one that I didn't know, Ron, thank you! I used to procrastinate lots more but these days, I'm selective about it. There's a difference, I now understand, between setting aside tasks or commitments for the moment so I can finish something important, and putting off the important thing.
Congratulations, Betsy. I can identify: Sixteen years went by between my first book and my second. In my first bookless decade, I didn't have an idea that could fill more than a Facebook post. Starter Dog took six years to write. I hardly dared call myself a writer. If you're not yourself unless you write, then you are a writer. You remain a writer no matter who publishes your book or how many copies it sells. I wish you well with your novel.
Thank you, Rona. It helps to know all this and to be reminded that I remain a writer as long as I am doing the work.
Betsy, you have encapsulated the fear, angst, and little triumphs that seem to inhabit the life of every writer. I find myself in a rather different situation than I have ever been in before. My latest novel was deemed not publishable in its current form and in the current market, but the changes she wants me to make (turning it into two books instead of one, and starting in a different time and place) essentially demolish the vision I had for the book. I'm never opposed to revision, even major revision, but those changes turn the project into a two-book series that I have no interest in writing. So now I'm trying to decide which of seven novels in my idea folder that I want to turn to next. Unfortunately, that prior experience makes me second guess each one. Is it marketable? Will my agent like it? I never worried about those things before. It's sort of a crisis of confidence that I never had before. My wife tells me, just pick one and write it. Write what you want, and don't worry about that other stuff. Like I used to do. During my upcoming time in San Diego, I will make a decision. And maybe we'll have a chance to get together -- unless you're deep into revision, in which case I should leave you alone!
This is a dilemma and I am going to be very interested in how you approach your next project. The important thing here, in my opinion, is that you made the key decision that you were not going to invest your time and effort in a project that didn't feel right to you. We've only got one life and only so much time to write.
The second guessing is natural - and there is nothing wrong with observing what is working / selling / connecting with folks who read and buy books. I'm guessing there are several of your existing ideas to will work there. It will be fun to talk about.
I'll text you when I'm in San Diego. If the stars align and we have an opportunity to get together, that would be great (as it always is).
What I'm hearing from you is a PROGRESS report; PROGRESS! No matter your imposed deadlines; no matter the awkward interferences from family, dogs, friends, et al. I could NEVER stay with a project for a decade, but I applaud your dedication to "getting it right." I was chatting with Jorge yesterday & I said the JOURNEY was the most important consideration in our lives; not the imposed goals, nor the awards & I think your journey has been remarkable & inspiring. I have full confidence that 2026 will enhance your journey & continue to inspire your followers. PS: hope you beat that dreadful cold!
Yes, progress. I was happy about making a milestone that told me I was making progress. It felt tangible. And thank you, once again, for your kind and encouraging words. The journey is the thing that matters so much more to me now -- do you think it is because we've all reached that time of life when we can finally grasp that?