In which I realize "Editing" is going to be a lot more like "Re-writing"

*headdesk*

Okay, I understand the point of NaNoWriMo was to get a rough draft done super-quickly, and it was great for that, don't get me wrong.

But dear fluffy lord my manuscript needs a lot of work.  I read through the first 75 pages last night and I have come to realize that the "editing" I forsaw in my future is really a lot of "re-writing". 

I still love my story and my characters, but there is SO MUCH DETAIL missing from my story that it was driving me nuts.

So basically what I got out of NaNo was less of a first draft (though I'm still going to be calling it that because it makes me feel all ACCOMPLISHED and stuff) and more of a really fleshed-out outline.

Writers, does this ever happen to you?  What do you do when you have the first-draft-rewriting-blues?

...I need ALL the help I can get, especially since re-writes are going to take a lot of time and I'm easily distracted by shiny thi---Oooh SHINY!

Johnny

I’ve been scrolling through my NaNo novel, trying to find a good place to start my edits (and, to be honest, I’m trying to work up the courage to actually sit down and read the blasted thing) and I stumbled upon Johnny.  Now, Johnny is in most of the novel, but I honestly do NOT remember writing this line.  And when I found it, I started to remember just how much I love him.

“You don’t have another guy hidden in there, do you?  I mean, before you decide on a permanent love-slave, I’d just like you to know I’m available.”

Johnny and Lindsey, my main character, have a complicated relationship.  They hooked up once about a year ago, and Johnny has made it clear that he wouldn’t mind it happening again (he’s a flirt, what can I say?) while Lindsey keeps him at arm’s length just like she does with everyone else. 

But now something has changed, Lindsey is pulling even further away, and Johnny has started to take notice.

I love Johnny, and I can't wait for this book do be done so you guys can meet him.

Love ya!

-geekgirl

The Notebook

This is the Notebook. (pls to be noting the capital letter. it really IS that important.)  This is the Notebook that holds most of the secrets to my NaNo novel (and its sequels).  And, after months of ignoring its existence, I have finally buckled down and looked for it, so that I can finish my NaNo once and for all.

I'm a little afraid to open it.

What if it hates me for ignoring it so long?
What if it remembers the abuse I put it through in November?
What if it knows that I've been cheating on it with another notebook? (one that's prettier and younger than this one is).
What if it actually DOESN'T contain all the secrets to finishing my novel?
What if I'm totally lost and IT NEVER GETS BETTER?!?!

Does anyone else go through this?

I've also started trying to actually READ what I wrote in November...I'm undecided on how it's going.  There's a lot of anxiety in reading my own work, I find.  I know I'm a good writer, but for some reason I can't quite SEE it right now.

Le sigh.

I'm also becoming increasingly more worried that I'm going to have to completely re-scene the first few chapters, because while I feel it sets up the world and characters rather well, I feel like the action doesn't begin quite early enough.

I'm considering just skipping ahead to some more exciting parts and starting my edits there, and working my way back after they're done.

What do you guys do?  I can use all the help/advice I can get.

Love ya!

-geekgirl

You're a Slacker McFly part 2

Yeah...so much for my whole "editing" plan.  I got my butt handed back to me after one day.  Editing is flipping HARD! (who knew, right?)

Anywhoo, I've decided I need to get back into it.  First, editing...actually first is hunting down my notebook with all the Strays info, so I can actually see where the story is supposed to GO, and then editing.

Then, I need to decide if I'm going to do a rough draft of Strays bk2, or something else.  I've been turining over a new idea in my head, and I'm a little bit in love with it.  I've added it to the sidebar there.  It's the "Dystopian/Forgotten" one.

I could really use some encouragement.  I feel like the worst slacker ever.

Love ya!

-geekgirl