I spent nearly all day yesterday working on the edits for my novel. I took a break to go work out (yay!), eat, and read. Otherwise, I sat on my sofa, laptop in my lap, and edited.
And let me just say one thing that probably all of you who have written a novel or are in the process of writing a novel know very well: It ain't easy.
There are some people who think writing a novel is easy. I don't know of one novelist who would agree with them. Sure, you can put a bunch of words down and throw in a few characters, plot twists, and call it a novel, but it's not.
A novel, a well-written, good novel, has numerous elements beyond the surface that must be done the right way. There's character motivation. Sub-plots. Sub-text. Dialogue. Goals. Conflicts. Emotions. And much, much more. All of this must meld together seamlessly.
At one point, I put aside my laptop, laid my head in my hands, and groaned. "This is hard!" I said out loud. And it is. I don't know that it will ever get any easier. Perhaps the more novels I write, the easier certain elements will get. But I don't think it will ever be easy to write anovel.
It's a whole lot more gratifying to finish something that is challenging and difficult than it is to finish something that's pretty darn easy. And while there are days that I wish this whole writing life was easier, I'm thankful that it's not. Therein lies the challenge - and the reward.
And let me just say one thing that probably all of you who have written a novel or are in the process of writing a novel know very well: It ain't easy.
There are some people who think writing a novel is easy. I don't know of one novelist who would agree with them. Sure, you can put a bunch of words down and throw in a few characters, plot twists, and call it a novel, but it's not.
A novel, a well-written, good novel, has numerous elements beyond the surface that must be done the right way. There's character motivation. Sub-plots. Sub-text. Dialogue. Goals. Conflicts. Emotions. And much, much more. All of this must meld together seamlessly.
At one point, I put aside my laptop, laid my head in my hands, and groaned. "This is hard!" I said out loud. And it is. I don't know that it will ever get any easier. Perhaps the more novels I write, the easier certain elements will get. But I don't think it will ever be easy to write anovel.
It's a whole lot more gratifying to finish something that is challenging and difficult than it is to finish something that's pretty darn easy. And while there are days that I wish this whole writing life was easier, I'm thankful that it's not. Therein lies the challenge - and the reward.
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Now is just the polishing and shining, making each sentence count. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteYour book is done now you are in the fun part I think! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to hold and read that book!
ReplyDeleteOh my, it's the truth. And it makes me break into cold sweats...
ReplyDeleteI've been lucky on this book, not a whole lot of edits, but as we've talked about, my storyline is pretty simple so there aren't too many ways the book can get away from me in the first draft. The last chapter will give me some fits, but I'll worry about when I get there.
ReplyDeleteHang in there! You know whenever it gets the hardest it means you're almost done! Go! GO! GOOOO!
ReplyDeleteIt *is* hard. But you know that the hardest part - that first draft - is done. Good luck with it - I can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteI've been chanting for the past week - 'this business is NOT for the faint of heart...' ;)
ReplyDeleteIf it's hard, you're doing it right. :)
ReplyDeleteHonestly, before I started my book, I thought it would be easy. Ha!
ReplyDeleteStick with it, if it's a struggle it will probably be wonderful.
ReplyDelete