I got the word today from my editor that my book is officially (finally, unbelievably) DONE! Here's a confession for those of you who are new here (and those of you veterans wondering, "haven't I read this here before?") - I first blogged about being DONE a long time ago. Almost five months, to be precise. And the thing was, when I first handed in my "final draft" lo those many months ago, I honestly believed it was really good. Certainly as good as I was capable of.Fortunately, my editor thought otherwise. Here's what I learned: I'm a pretty good writer. But with a really awesome editor (and for me, "awesome" means the ability to sandwich some serious tough love in between encouraging comments and jokes about how great this would all be when it was over) I can be more than a pretty good writer. I'm sure there's a deep lesson of universal significance in there somewhere, but I'm too much in the weekend-zone to find it. All I know is that I've never been so grateful to be humbled :)
In other news, author Caitlin Flanagan has a provocative article in this month's edition of Oprah's magazine, where she wonders why we are so much less likely to dream big dreams for our lives once we reach the age of husbands, mortgages, and kids. Whether you're at this stage yet or not, it's a great question. Unfortunately, the article didn't really give her enough room to answer it, but I think it's worth revisiting.
Especially now that I know how willing you all are to get prettied up for a party...big dreams give us reason for big parties!
13 comments:
my dreams have never left me, but when boy came along i modified my biggest dream to "best mom in the world"....who knew that would take so long?!
Congrats again! Can't wait to read it! Wow that's a lot of !'s from a sarcastic person like myself, it's just that cool....!
YEAH! I will make sure you have this very odd spike in sales in the Austin area. I can't wait to read it. I'm sure there are at least 3 chapters devoted to how much you think I rock, right?
(I better ask Sarakastic where to purchase a tiara for your little shindig)
Trish, I read your earlier post "I wrote a book" and had to smile about changing tenses. I just went through my novel-in-progress and did the same thing. Fortunately, I wasn't under the gun as you were. Was the decision to change tenses yours or your editor's? Just curious.
I really like what you said about thinking you were a good writer but that a great editor could make you an even better one. There's always something to be gained by revision. In fact, I love revision. It's the first ugly duckling draft that I hate. The wonderful thing is that I know it will only get better if I stick with it.
Congratulations on REALLY finishing your book! I look forward to reading more about your journey.
Best,
Tena
Yay! It's DONE! That is awesome, fantastic news!
I think that all the time ... that people become adults and then it just becomes about making it from day to day. I think it's sad.
Congrats on finishing the book, Trish! Have you come up with an official title for it?
I'm too picky and indecisive most of the time; so if I were to ever write an autobiography, I think I would call it:
"I Couldn't Decide On A Title For This Book, Which Is Pretty Much The Story Of My Life (Details Inside)"
...But that's all subject to change. :)
Take care,
Paul
Congratulations!! Can't wait to see it in the shops.
Congratulations again, Trish! ;)
And I'd disagree about dreaming big dreams (at least in my case). I never in my wildest dreams imagined I'd be trying my hand at writing before I was married. My husband inspired me! And my kids too in their own way--I needed an escape from the life of a stay-at-home-mom. ;)
Congrats on the book! I can't wait to read it! And about dreaming big... I'm afraid I simply can't give them up. Right now so much of my motivation comes from those big dreams, and a 30-year fixed interest mortgage just doesn't compare to traveling the earth and changing the world. ....someday, perhaps.
congratulations!
We don't just dream big, we live big. I will say, the weirdest thing is how easy it is once you get past the nay sayers -- so much open road.
Congratulations! :)
Yay! Congrats :-)
It's true about good editors, isn't it? I suppose if she thought you were only "a pretty good writer" she wouldn't have held you to such high expectations. Best of luck with it all. We're pulling for you.
Amy
Post a Comment