Monday, July 25, 2011

PATIENCE ...

Hi, everyone,

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. I went to see HP 2 for the second time and I must say it was better the second time around.

Although there are differences from JK's incredible book, the film does give the viewer a terrific sense of what IS going on during the final days of Voldemort's reign. So if you haven't seen this film yet make sure you see it soon. What an amazing experience viewing it at the IMAX in 3D. The only way to see it.

I would also like to officially welcome my newest followers. Time is so precious for all of these days, and I haven't been the greatest at visiting all of you lately. I hope to rectify that as soon as my schedule slows a bit. My new client and revisions on my second novel has taken up a great deal of my time. So new friends, I will get to you soon.

R.S., Shannon, Small Town, Catherine, Shanona, Mel, Rose, Michelle, Phillip, Elizabeth, and Eisley, I am thrilled to call you friends and I look forward to getting to know you better.

Since I was so INVOLVED with HP for the past week or so I hadn't posted my health post, but be sure to drop by tomorrow for more recipes and tips.

For today, I would just like to talk about the patience of revision. At some point in our process we finally think we have the final draft. We get up the nerve to send our child out into the cold, cruel world. I have just done that with not only my current novel, but my first as well.

My CP'S have sent me their suggestions. For the most part they were minimal and they thoroughly enjoyed the novel. YAY.... but I still have two others. One has sent me the first two-thirds. And to my surprise there were many pages of really helpful suggestions. She took the time to point out ALL of the areas that could be improved. So now I am back to square one. Another major revision - page by page.

Don't we all want to achieve the highest level in our writing? Of course we do. This is where patience comes into play.

On Friday I had also received a critique on the first two chapters of my first novel. I had been querying it on an off for almost two years. After great care, she pointed out what I could do to fix the beginning. I had never been asked for a partial or full so I knew something wasn't jelling. So now after eighteen plus months of revisions, I need to start again.

Once more, patience is needed. And along with patience let's add perseverance. These two go hand-in-hand. Without either of them, where would we be?

How patient are you? Have you kept going or given up? Let me hear how patience got you through the rough times.

Have a great Monday everyone.

16 comments:

Heather said...

Ah revision, it is ever a challenge isn't it? You know me though, it's my happy place and I like to stay in it as long as I can. :)

BTW, check your email spam, you won a book from the CSC giveaway and Jessica is trying to reach you. :)

SueH said...

Hi, Michael, good luck with your editing and re-writes.

I'm planning on reviewing parts of the novel I've been querying for the last year - mainly because the two (so far) sequels I have written/planned build on the characters - but I've GOT to get #1 under a willing agent's nose!!

Best of luck with juggling time - when you work out THAT solution, please let the rest of us know :-)

mooderino said...

I think patience and persistence are key. It's a slow process, but I try to remind myself it isn't anywhere near as slow as something like animation.

mood
Moody Writing
@mooderino
and on goodreads too!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

This business is all about patience and timing!

Roland D. Yeomans said...

Ernest Hemingway said writing should really be called "re-writing"! Always good to read your posts, Roland

N. R. Williams said...

Hi Michael
I would have to add the word, obsessed. Obsessed with getting the best work out there that I am capable of, yet patience for when I want to scream and diligent to fight off the starving dogs that come by to snatch my energy and, we can't forget the dementors who rob us of all hope. I have a power bomb for them that sparkles with great appeal and never turns into a vampire. LOL

Saw HP and loved it too.
Wendy S. Marcus is visiting me today.

Nancy
N. R. Williams, The Treasures of Carmelidrium

Nicki Elson said...

Hey, at least you've been busy w/ really good stuff, right? And all the time you spend on revisions now will only save you from having to do them later in the process, so don't think of it as slowing you down.

Hope you get to get out a little and enjoy the lovely day. :)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

That's why I didn't rush my last book. If nothing else, pressure to top the first one kept me editing and rewriting.

Linda Gray said...

What an excellent topic, Michael. I've always thought of myself as patient, but it does get frustrating sometimes when there's really no way to know if all the effort is going to pay off. Main problem for me is that I keep fiddling with revisions on one novel, when what I really want to do is move on to the next one. Combining efforts is tough for some of us, but that's my goal, so that I can stay patient!

Ellie Garratt said...

Patience is a virtue we must all practice. I know you can do it, and make your novel the best it can be.

Ellie Garratt

Summer Ross said...

Patience is like an acquired taste- you have to try it several times before your mind bends to the will. :) Good luck with revisions Micheal- I know you can get them done.

Regina said...

I haven't watched it yet, but every time it comes out on dvd, I buy it and will sometimes do a marathon weekend. I have heard nothing but positive things. I'm excited about it.

Susan Oloier said...

Hi Michael! I think it is great you're taking time with your novels.

I consider myself pretty patient. I wrote my first novel 9 years ago and started seriously querying four years ago. Still no agent. But I continue to learn and grow. That first novel is now with my CP, so I know more revisions will be in the works. In the meantime, I continue to write.

Perseverence: that is my middle name. I will never give up. I'm glad you're not either!!!

erica and christy said...

Zach and I went to the movie this past week - he was very excited! Although we didn't do 3D (not to mention I have NO IDEA if there's an IMAX anywhere around here!). Good luck with edits!
erica

Danette said...

Hi Michael, Rewriting is really the hardest part because you have to be willing to change things that maybe you thought were good. You might even want to try to tell yourself that the reader isn't getting it. But generally if the reader isn't getting it, it's that you haven't communicated it properly so back to the drawing room you go! I am editing a big piece right now, wondering if I can use it- it's good writing but I don't know if it's going to fit anymore after some other changes-- but you can't be afraid of the cutting it if it makes your writing the best it can be! So cheers! You are not alone!!! ~db

Deniz Bevan said...

Good luck with your revisions Michael! I'm in the midst of another round of editing in my own - and then I can finally print out a clean copy, no highlights or square brackets or anything, and I'll bet I'll see all sorts of things wrong with it the moment I send it out to betas...

I won't get started on the HP movie. Movies never live up to the books.

Love that photo you posted of the willows the other day. I love willow trees.