After that I heard the expression everywhere, and it used to drive me crazy. Who even says that?
It drifted back to my mind recently as I've been struggling through edits. This book is finished guys, but it's still not...right. I can feel it. I know it can be better. I know there's still lots of work to do.
One of the most difficult things in this process so far has been the following:
Looking at a swelling 100k MS, realizing I have to add at least 30k more and then cut 50k... well... it's pretty daunting.
No, I'm lying. It's downright scary. And this is when the book is still living in only my hands.
But I soldiered on. And I did it. But it's still not finished.
And it won't be finished until it's the best I can make it. I feel like that moment is just around the corner... I hope, but I won't know until I feel it.
Until then... I'll just keep on truckin'. I think I've finally learned to appreciate exactly what this means.
Don't give up.
Don't let go.
Don't stop fighting.
Stay with it.
This is your dream, and you deserve it. The hard work will pay off in the end. It always does.
Sooo... which part of this process have you found the most difficult? The easiest? Are you soldiering on... because you better be!
Have a great weekend guys :)
18 comments:
Keep On Truckin! lol love it. Have a good weekend, also.
I'm with you. Keeping the length of your ms down is frustrating. I was happily cutting away at my ms, but the recent feedback I got resulted in an extra 4 K. That doesn't sound like much, but it is when you want the ms under the sweet spot of 80 K and it is now 84K (and you can't cut anymore) :(
I think the first draft is always the easiest because it doesn't matter what I write down, only that it gets down.
As for the hardest, I would have to say the 5th revision. I am so sick of the ms. I almost never want to see it again even though I know it's "almost" perfect.
Keep on Truckin'!
And here's a question for you -- considering you were in 7th grade, do you remember who sang that song? I can sing it in my head, but can't remember who actually sang it on the radio.
I enjoy revisions, feeling somehow like I know my characters a little better each time around, and so the writing comes easier with each pass through.
The saying comes from a Grateful Dead song. Truckin'
You are so smart to keep fixing and fixing! That's how it gets done, and that's what separates you from the people who don't bother.
You can do it! And yeah, that's an old phrase. Seen on the back of semi mud flaps across the country.
Wow, I haven't heard that phrase in a long time! But it's so true, especially when it comes to writing. I'm still truckin through the first draft. Apparently, it's going to be a long one!
That's one of my favourite phrases :-)
Sending out good thoughts for your next round!
This post is so true. Its so easy to get down on yourself especially when it gets tough. "Keep on trucking" is a perfect motto. One of my friends once told me... "The only way you can eat an elephant is one bite at a time." Not that I want to eat an elephant...haha, but its true, the only way to get anything done is to "Keep on trucking."
Thanks for visiting Middle Brained Canvas.
New follower :)
I'm still in first draft territory, so I can't really talk responsibly about "the long haul", but I've still had my periods of self-doubt.
As your slogan so eloquently captures, you just have to keep at it! :D
Have a great weekend!
I haven't heard that in a while, but "keep on truckin", because it fits and it is what we have to do.
It is a long and frightful journey, but just envision the finish line, picture yourslef with your published book and how you will feel at your books signing. This motivates me to keep on truckin
Have a good weekend
I think you've got down what it means exactly. Good luck with your WIP!
That is what I needed tonight. And gaah! I've been at that cutting endlessly stage, and now I'm contemplating a complete rewrite.
Keep trucking indeed. :)
Thats a fantastic phrase and so true.
Thank you so much for your comments. Yeah I love it too when it's cold and dreary outside and I'm all warm and snuggly inside.
Eve sss
I've never heard that phrase before. Who says this? Where have I been that I've never heard it? Anyway, I guess starting a new story is the most difficult part for me. Once I start I'm on a roll ;) Then the grueling part: editing.
Have a great weekend!
Editing has been absolutely the most difficult part of the process so far. The easiest are the beginnings and endings. Love 'em! Hope you're weekend is going great!
There was famous Hippie art in the 60's and 70's Mr. natural and other cartoon guys walking. Also a Grateful Dead song used it for lyrics. If you look up Mr. Natural you'll find it. I still use the phrase.
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