Post-Novel Ennui: Stage Three
Aug. 20th, 2007 12:10 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
megwritesI've decided that the post-novel ennui goes in stages, and right now I'm in the "fret, pace, worry" stage of it.
Right now, the novel is in the hands of two readers who I extend my full trust to. It's only been two weeks, so I know it's going to be a bit longer before either one of them get back to me. Which is cool. They have lives and, yanno, other stuff to do.
Plus, I know how long it takes me to plow through even the easiest-to-read novels. I can't imagine what kind of pain and suffering my poor readers are going through.
I should maybe look into sending them gift baskets and abject apologies. Definitely gift baskets. And now I'm asking myself whether chocolates, fruits, or bath goodies are most appropriate for begging forgiveness for bad writing.
Not sure Hallmark has a card for this, though. Hmm.
But having the novel in the hands of the readers puts me in the same state that turning in tests and papers used to. That's why I always hated taking tests or turning in papers on Friday. Because then you had *all weekend* to second guess every single answer you gave.
So right now, I'm looking over my manuscript and going, "Oh god, I can't believe I sent this to them. It's terrible. I just know they're regretting being nice to me and reading this. What was I thinking? This isn't fit for human consumption! My characters must be so flat, my plot is trite and badly paced. GAH! Why did I ever let myself write this stuff? For the love of cheesecake, who let me near a keyboard? Isn't anybody PAYING ATTENTION?"
This is also why I suspect I'll never have long enough nails to ever get a manicure.
And why I think writing is a sport best left to lunatics.
Right now, the novel is in the hands of two readers who I extend my full trust to. It's only been two weeks, so I know it's going to be a bit longer before either one of them get back to me. Which is cool. They have lives and, yanno, other stuff to do.
Plus, I know how long it takes me to plow through even the easiest-to-read novels. I can't imagine what kind of pain and suffering my poor readers are going through.
I should maybe look into sending them gift baskets and abject apologies. Definitely gift baskets. And now I'm asking myself whether chocolates, fruits, or bath goodies are most appropriate for begging forgiveness for bad writing.
Not sure Hallmark has a card for this, though. Hmm.
But having the novel in the hands of the readers puts me in the same state that turning in tests and papers used to. That's why I always hated taking tests or turning in papers on Friday. Because then you had *all weekend* to second guess every single answer you gave.
So right now, I'm looking over my manuscript and going, "Oh god, I can't believe I sent this to them. It's terrible. I just know they're regretting being nice to me and reading this. What was I thinking? This isn't fit for human consumption! My characters must be so flat, my plot is trite and badly paced. GAH! Why did I ever let myself write this stuff? For the love of cheesecake, who let me near a keyboard? Isn't anybody PAYING ATTENTION?"
This is also why I suspect I'll never have long enough nails to ever get a manicure.
And why I think writing is a sport best left to lunatics.
