tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413062903651514093.post3802296089636192104..comments2023-10-12T03:20:53.815-05:00Comments on Susan Fields: Give it a RestSusan Fieldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02433408456603462774noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413062903651514093.post-34874941511640296712010-06-08T20:30:31.166-05:002010-06-08T20:30:31.166-05:00In retrospect I'm sure you see the advantages ...In retrospect I'm sure you see the advantages rather than the disadvantages [waiting]. At least the editors provided you with a list of what they liked & didn't like so you can use that to help you. Plus, the perspective of being away from it for an entire year & concentrating on another book gives you an even stronger ability to make revisions. <br /><br />Best of luck with both your manuscripts. I have a feeling you're super busy right now!notesfromnadirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09904500676081267972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413062903651514093.post-47496352095538834482010-06-05T17:35:27.554-05:002010-06-05T17:35:27.554-05:00Excellent post! It's great that you worked on ...Excellent post! It's great that you worked on a new ms while waiting. I do the same thing. Getting a new ms into your head and heart gives you a fresh take on the old one. Plus, it puts an extra healthy distance between you and your work when responses start coming in. At least that's my opinion. Yay for the feedback and the fact that you see growth in your work! :)Dawn Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05667675689038435581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413062903651514093.post-50581908379856076742010-06-02T07:44:47.817-05:002010-06-02T07:44:47.817-05:00It does feel great to know you're getting bett...It does feel great to know you're getting better with time and practice. And thank you for any info you can send my way! I would love to know more.Nicole Murrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09605448429334684845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413062903651514093.post-67754302325169899492010-06-02T07:37:18.031-05:002010-06-02T07:37:18.031-05:00Nicole - That's an excellent point about needi...Nicole - That's an excellent point about needing to step away to see how much we've grown. I think that's one of the biggest things I learned from this experience, that even though I thought I had that book as good as I could get it, now a year later, I'm seeing it in a whole new light - which is exciting! I'm learning something! :) I'll email you about your other questions - too long to go into here.Susan Fieldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02433408456603462774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413062903651514093.post-7724993846551869542010-06-02T06:25:56.663-05:002010-06-02T06:25:56.663-05:00I also like to leave a WIP sit for a bit while I d...I also like to leave a WIP sit for a bit while I do other writing or presently, jewelry design. Getting back to it later does two things for me. Knocks me down a notch to see my work wasnt as good as it could be when I last left it and makes me proud and excited that I have grown enough in that time to see that fact. We need to step away to see how much we have grown.<br /><br />And I have been recently told my writing leans towards Paranormal Romance. What can you tell me about this genre or where to look for others who are into this genre?Nicole Murrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09605448429334684845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413062903651514093.post-38405303830168153622010-06-01T20:42:37.871-05:002010-06-01T20:42:37.871-05:00Stu - I hope you're able to get back to writin...Stu - I hope you're able to get back to writing the shorter stuff soon! It sounds like you miss it.<br /><br />Margo - I always knew that was a good idea, but this experience taught me just how valuable it is. And when it's a long wait time, it's almost like someone else wrote the previous draft.<br /><br />Stephen - Yes, my brain needs that time to rejuvenate, too. Otherwise I'm so close to it I barely even have to read the words to know what it says...not so good for revising.<br /><br />Kimberly - That did actually happen to me when I tried to go back and revise my very first novel, a mid-grade ghost mystery story. I think actually what happened was that my tastes changed so much in that time that I was no longer even that interested in the story. So I agree, if you wait too long, you may never go back - good point!Susan Fieldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02433408456603462774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413062903651514093.post-32349105710069281372010-06-01T17:29:41.531-05:002010-06-01T17:29:41.531-05:00I have that book and love it, even though I never ...I have that book and love it, even though I never follow it exactly; it's a great reference guide. And I do believe in WIP breaks, but not for too long because then you risk never picking it back up again. :)Kimberly Franklinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13957037411750752950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413062903651514093.post-85587804606693936772010-06-01T16:10:07.667-05:002010-06-01T16:10:07.667-05:00I have to let my work simmer on the back burner fr...I have to let my work simmer on the back burner from time to time. Three days to two weeks is the norm for me. A break is good to give the brain time to rejuvinate.<br /><br />Stephen TrempAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413062903651514093.post-9940972482407957702010-06-01T12:06:10.615-05:002010-06-01T12:06:10.615-05:00I think that's the smartest thing you can do, ...I think that's the smartest thing you can do, start another writing project while you let the other rest.Margo Berendsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03476308235642890474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413062903651514093.post-40351948715333944292010-06-01T09:58:27.393-05:002010-06-01T09:58:27.393-05:00Since the day job currently involves writing, ther...Since the day job currently involves writing, there's generally not much room for too many projects. What I really regret is that short stories tend to stop while I'm writing longer stuff.stuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16388674850920848503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413062903651514093.post-15051847154874858842010-06-01T07:36:43.926-05:002010-06-01T07:36:43.926-05:00Sharon - Thank you! I can't wait either. :)Sharon - Thank you! I can't wait either. :)Susan Fieldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02433408456603462774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413062903651514093.post-63511356515902684512010-06-01T07:25:16.017-05:002010-06-01T07:25:16.017-05:00Susan--I hope this means you're going to do so...Susan--I hope this means you're going to do some revisions and then get this beautiful story out there to more houses/agents...It's a wonderful story and (in my opinion) beautifully written. I can't wait to see a final copy on a shelf at B & N.Sharon K. Mayhewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07799235347319851345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413062903651514093.post-4777375753229332772010-06-01T05:58:04.375-05:002010-06-01T05:58:04.375-05:00Karen - It was disappointing when the publisher pa...Karen - It was disappointing when the publisher passed, but they'd been through some upheaval (hence the long wait time), so I wasn't so sure that was the best place for my beloved manuscript anyway. And I truly did appreciate that they'd taken the time to read my entire ms and provide feedback (twice). And now, since I waited so long, I'm sure my ms will be much better for it, so I'm grateful for that, too. :)Susan Fieldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02433408456603462774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413062903651514093.post-31981132286909154482010-05-31T23:16:22.581-05:002010-05-31T23:16:22.581-05:00Rest periods are crucial. How else can you go back...Rest periods are crucial. How else can you go back in and see it with fresh eyes? That's so cool that the publisher, although keeping it for a year then passing :(, still gave you editorial tips. You have a really great attitude about it.Karen Jones Gowenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01153821980625034810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413062903651514093.post-4426383334639073452010-05-31T21:20:40.302-05:002010-05-31T21:20:40.302-05:00Myrna - I've found the best way to let somethi...Myrna - I've found the best way to let something rest is to start another project. Ideally, have several different projects in various stages going on at once. I think that makes it a lot easier to make it through the rest periods. And you're welcome for the book recommendation - I'm big in outlining, so that book works really well for me.Susan Fieldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02433408456603462774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413062903651514093.post-81056215918278007532010-05-31T21:17:36.042-05:002010-05-31T21:17:36.042-05:00Joanne - I love when I finish a project and have t...Joanne - I love when I finish a project and have time to catch up on all the little things I've been neglecting while I was so caught up in the writing. And my story's simmering at the same time, so it's a win-win. :)<br /><br />Sarahjayne - I admire that you write both novels and short stories. I do write the occasional short story, but I don't think I'm very good at it. That's great that you can do both!<br /><br />Lola - Don't you hate when you think you're done with a ms, and then you go back and find all these things you want to change? Usually when I can get through one complete read-through with only changing an occasional word here and there, I know I'm ready to query. It's still not perfect, but it's as close as I'm going to get it (without letting it sit and stew for another year.) :)<br /><br />Lydia - Yes, that's exactly what happened to me. It's funny how I thought the first one was the best it could possibly be, and then when I came back I couldn't believe I didn't notice the passive tense all over the place. What was I thinking? :)Susan Fieldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02433408456603462774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413062903651514093.post-33122824719774980942010-05-31T21:07:15.446-05:002010-05-31T21:07:15.446-05:00Sandy - If you like to outline, I really do recomm...Sandy - If you like to outline, I really do recommend that book, but it wouldn't work for someone who doesn't outline. It should really be called "Outline in Thirty Days", but their point is that your outline is so complete it's like a first draft. I definitely find it much easier to write with a super detailed outline, so that book really works for me.<br /><br />Talli - I like your system! I try to keep projects at various stages so I can move from editing to plotting to first-drafting, otherwise I get sick of doing the same thing all the time - especially the first-drafting, that seems the hardest to me. And when I spend too much time plotting, I'm dying to get back to the writing. Luckily I do enjoy all the various stages, just not too much at a time. :)Susan Fieldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02433408456603462774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413062903651514093.post-84591615172340764022010-05-31T21:02:11.420-05:002010-05-31T21:02:11.420-05:00Old Kitty - I've been wondering what happened ...Old Kitty - I've been wondering what happened with your password-coded manuscript. Were you ever able to access it? And how wonderful that you found your first novel again! It sounds like you had an experience a lot like mine - finding out by accident what a huge difference it makes when you let your ms rest for a year (or three). I'm excited to hear that you're re-drafting your ms - good luck! And I also agree that you should go ahead and write that story even though the editor told you not to. Seventeenth Year was kind of like that for me - even without much hope of a market, it bugged me for years until I finally had to write it. Having that passion goes a long way to making a story exceptional.Susan Fieldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02433408456603462774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413062903651514093.post-81313403170578323312010-05-31T20:59:48.892-05:002010-05-31T20:59:48.892-05:00I have to let my stuff rest for a while too. I'...I have to let my stuff rest for a while too. I'm trying to do that right now, but it's not working very well. Maybe one more draft and then a rest. <br /><br />I'm excited to hear that you're working on your fantasy again.<br /><br />And thanks for the book recommendation!Myrna Fosterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13534358757278599925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413062903651514093.post-70082199678452188192010-05-31T20:56:11.509-05:002010-05-31T20:56:11.509-05:00Betty - You're more focused than I am, I guess...Betty - You're more focused than I am, I guess - I like switching around to different projects. Plus I get to switch to different types of writing - after I've spent months on a revision, I'm usually eager to plot something new or work on a first draft again.<br /><br />Terry - Yes, the detailed crit was invaluable. Even though they held my ms for a year, I wasn't mad when I saw their great comments (disappointed, yes, but not mad). And I learned something from the experience - that taking a year off a ms makes a huge difference!<br /><br />Tess - Thank you! I hope I'm objective enough now to really give this ms the shaping up it needs. :)Susan Fieldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02433408456603462774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413062903651514093.post-29596661675062042852010-05-31T20:49:41.831-05:002010-05-31T20:49:41.831-05:00Jen - When an idea hits, I say go with it! I'v...Jen - When an idea hits, I say go with it! I've got one that's trying to get out right now. I really need to sit down and write all the ideas down before I forget them. And if you're an outliner, I'd definitely recommend you get that book. It should actually be called "Outline in Thirty Days" though, but their point is that the outline you make with the book is so thorough that it's like a first draft.<br /><br />Velva - Great point! I hadn't thought of it quite like that, but you're absolutely right. Things do seem clearer when you come back and look at them in hindsight, don't they?<br /><br />Robby - I can't wait until we all get published! What an amazing thought. :)Susan Fieldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02433408456603462774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413062903651514093.post-47900869056346866542010-05-31T16:42:15.362-05:002010-05-31T16:42:15.362-05:00I had a similar experience with my first novel. It...I had a similar experience with my first novel. It took writing a second one to realize how imperfect the first one was. I'm not going back to it right now. I'm going to wait a while and see if I can get the second one published. But it's amazing how much our writing improves over just a year. Makes a huge difference!Lydia Kanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00484415427764822386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413062903651514093.post-71665886206860858752010-05-31T16:41:57.991-05:002010-05-31T16:41:57.991-05:00I definitely let them marinate. In fact, I have ye...I definitely let them marinate. In fact, I have yet to query any of my ms's, because I always find things I want to change. <br /><br />Great post, Susan. :)Lola Sharphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14394765053485642935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413062903651514093.post-42727710028437565592010-05-31T16:18:35.814-05:002010-05-31T16:18:35.814-05:00I try to work on more than one thing at a time. Ri...I try to work on more than one thing at a time. Right now it's short stories over the WIP as I am totally spazzing about that. We'll see what happens. :)sarahjayne smythehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02589820347348973092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413062903651514093.post-4864627044524474012010-05-31T15:47:56.298-05:002010-05-31T15:47:56.298-05:00I do let my work sit and stew for awhile, it is so...I do let my work sit and stew for awhile, it is so amazing how this helps our critical eye to iron out wrinkles in the work when we return. I don't have a set procedure, but during that waiting time, I either keep busy with smaller projects, or clean out my Word files, some type of busy work while the simmering is happening.Joannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03972054718663959694noreply@blogger.com