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I am officially in week two of Positive Tension revisions. Week one went by pretty swimmingly. I had my chapter notes to go by, and surprisingly plot bunnies were mating at my feet, so I added some bits to the story that I am ridiculously proud of.
This week? Not so much. Yesterday it took me about two hours to edit one chapter and I gave up editing after that and resorted to making chapter notes. Last week I'd ambitiously set a goal for myself of revising ten chapters per week. This week I'm scratching my head and wondering what particular brand of crazy pill I was taking. I tend to put unrealistic pressure on me to achieve my writing goals. I don't necessarily think that revising ten chapters a week is unattainable. I'm starting to down Advil like candy, so I'm thinking that just because it's attainable doesn't mean that I should do it.
Like most, I have some chapters that need a lot of work, and others that need less. The nine chapters I edited last week needed a lot of work. The ten or so I have ahead of me need a lot of work too, but then I have another ten that need smaller revisions, more line edits than story issues. So, I'm rethinking my goals. I'm going to set the bar at six chapters a week. I think that's an attainable goal-and one I might even surpass some weeks. I think I need to do this to save my sanity, because I have a lot of self-guilt when I don't meet a goal I've set for myself. So six chapters? Totally doable. I'll be happy when I reach the goal, and give myself a reward (like more time for reading or vegging in front of the TV) on those weeks I surpass it.
Writers: do you set revision goals for yourself or do you go with the flow?
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Thanks for this post...glad to know I'm not the only one who's not revising head-strong like I wish!
ReplyDeleteI definitely try to set goals...but much like an outline, there's plenty of room for change. I kinda do things backwards, I think...I start with line edits. I just *have* to correct the grammar mistakes first, so they don't weigh my mind down and keep me from focusing on bigger problems.
Oooh, this is such a great post! I definitely don't set revision goals for myself, but maybe I should try that. I admire your crazy goal setting ways! :D
ReplyDeleteYes, yes I do set goals.... I've been working on my first novel for over 2 years! And I'm kinda a perfectionist... I like what I write for about 2 days and then have to start ALL over again. My goal now is to not look at my writing until the book is finished. And I hear you about the guilt thing. Good Luck and hope you finish! ( while your enjoying your reward add a chocolate bar into the mix) ;)
ReplyDeleteDaisy