Working a Deadline

December 3, 2007 by Chris
Filed under: Lessons Learned

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My self-appointed deadline approaches. I set my goal for December 31st to finish my revising. At that point, I’ll give my manuscript to my husband to critique. He’ll recognize my sources for various plot elements. He’ll appreciate the sometimes not so politically correct humor of my detective. All of this is why I’ll need someone else outside of our immediate circle to read my book as well.

As I write this though, I’m reminded of Joseph Mallord William Turner, an English romantic painter and watercolorist. He is said to have even gone so far as to correct a painting as it hung in the gallery. It makes me wonder if I too will always desire to make that one correction, to remove that one scene from my book once it’s completed.

As an artist, I tend to let my works go after I’ve completed them. The idea of correcting a work after it is signed is not in my ken. In fact, I withhold signing a painting until I’m completely satisfied. The fact too is that typically after I complete a painting, it goes on auctions. At that point, I no longer own it. Once the image of it is posted, I am not at liberty to correct it. I’m curious to find out how I shall be as an author because my attachment to the work will be longer than it was with a painting. Does one let go of a book just because it’s published? That is one mystery I hope to find out.

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One Comment on Working a Deadline

KC Loomis on Mon, 3rd Dec 2007 10:32 pm

Watch out for overdoing it. Sometimes i catch myself fixing something and then a week later changing it back. If you like it, leave it alone for a month and come back to it. If you still like it, it is good to go.

From what i read and info i get from people, if it is interesting enough with a strong plot, it is enough to get in the door. As long as the story is logical and a reader can follow along, you are done.

I stumbled accoss a few groups that you can do exchanges, mail them a chapter and they mail you a chapter and you can get some good feedback that way as well.

Good luck, i am starting my novel shortly, finally just finished the outline and character summaries, off to writing !