Insecure Writer's Support Group: Backdraft

 


HAPPY PRIDE MONTH!


And welcome to another installment of the Insecure Writer's Support Group, where we can throw our cares to the wind and talk about writing with a bunch of other writers. Please join us by following our fearless leader Alex J. Cavanaugh and signing up at the official Insecure Writer's Support Group website.

Yesterday, I had the privilege of finally getting to meet Wahida Clark, the Queen of Street Lit, to discuss plans for my new release date. She is so sweet, and I can't wait to continue this journey with SFF/For the Culture. More news will be coming, probably by the next IWSG post! There are 5 Wednesdays this month, though, so it might be sooner than that. =D

This month's question is about our writing process, hence the silly addition to this post's title: For how long do you shelve our first draft before reading it and re-drafting? Is this dependent on your writing experience and the number of stories/books under your belt?

Once I hit The End, from advice of other writers, I don't touch the book for about a month. The entire time I'm writing, I'm editing as well, which is a bad habit, but I'm a proofreader/editor by nature, so I don't try not to do it anymore, unless I'm doing NaNoWriMo. You need to breathe after you finish that first draft, because if you go right back into it after finishing, your eyes won't be fresh enough. Go to a new story, or even just do something else for the month. Just don't tempt yourself with the one you just finished!

6 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Too late - I've already been tempted!
I'll be checking back for news of the new book.

Pat Garcia said...

Hi,
First., I have been searching for your blog. I couldn't find it in the list. I finally decided to go through your blogger website.
I do the same as you. When I finished my first draft, I put it aside and start editing after a month. It is surprising how I see the manuscript after I have taken rest from it. And yes, I start writing something new while I am waiting.
Wishing you the very best and have a lovely month of june.

Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange

Now I am going to subscribe to your blog and see what happens.

Natalie Aguirre said...

That's awesome that you're planning your release date. I edit as I write but also need to do more major revisions. I agree that it's a good idea to take a break before diving in.

Debra Renée Byrd said...

I'm #23 on the IWSG Sign-Up. I'm an OG. haha Glad you found it, though!

Debra Renée Byrd said...

Thanks! It is a good idea!

chickangell said...

Releases are so much fun. Cheers! I also edit as I write. I find that it is a great way to maintain consistency and to reduce the risk of writer's block. I always end in the middle of an action sequence or scene so when I come back next it's easy to re-read and edit what I wrote the day before, get back in the flow, and then the story just writes itself.

That said, I also take a break after I hit The End and go through my second round of revisions. Usually it only takes me about 2 weeks to give it a rest. Then I run through it with ProWritingAid for a second pass and tighten up the plot. Then I send it to Beta readers to catch last bits before sending it to my editor. That all typically takes about 2 months. But I haven't done any of that in quite some time :(