Thursday, January 12, 2012

Forwards or backwards?


While I waited for feedback on Part 2 of Doorways, I started working ahead to fix whatever looked glaringly obvious, thinking that it would keep me busy until then.

Except I got into my first ever editing zone.

Think I'm kidding?

I started page 91 on 30 December. I finished the last page (550) yesterday. So twelve days to edit over 400 pages.

On one of those days, I edited well over 100 pages, but then had to stop because I made a nasty discovery (but that's a guest post, so I'm not going to go into it now).

So yeah. I'm a little shocked at myself.

But here I am. I don't really want to leave my Doorways universe, since I don't want anything to distract me from the edits.

And yet I really really really want to do something more than put together soundtracks for the sequels (as they drive me insane every time a song gives me a plot insight).

Basically, it leaves me with two options:

I can start with the sequel. Sounds wonderful and intriguing at the same time. But, I do want to trad publish. Which means that I might have to put Doorways through significant revisions before it's truly finished. Those revisions will have an effect on all of the sequels. I know, because that's the way I wrote the ms.

On the other hand, I can actually write a prequel. Something that influences Doorways, but won't necessarily be edited and therefore I can have a blast with it. BUT... the prequel can be extensive. So will I be wasting my time to write it?

What do you think?

40 comments:

  1. Only you know what works for you. But for me, I'd like to have something down for a sequel even if it's only a couple of chapters simply because I think it might be scary to stare at a blank page to begin a book with the stress of a sophomore book hanging over my head.

    But if that doesn't bother you, you could consider writing something totally different. A short story, a difference novel, whatever. Something to recharge your batteries while you wait. (I'm waiting to hear from a beta too--she's taking a long time--so I'm working on a short story. I can't just twiddle my thumbs while I wait because I'll go crazy.)

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    1. I actually realize that writing something different is a good idea, but truth be told, I'm still smarting from the loss of my work a few weeks ago.

      I'm just glad to have the urge to write, back.

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  2. Wow! Congrats on getting in the editing zone! That's awesome progress! And I love your countdown at the top. I think I need one of those! Seeing those numbers tick away would really motivate me.

    And I say go with your gut! Sometimes writing either can actually help you to figure out new things that can actually make the first even stronger.

    There's always the flip side, though. You never know if a book is going to be the right thing at the right time, so it's always helpful to have a second different book waiting in the wings.

    Both are entirely good ways to go-- I think you just have to do what feels best for you.

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    1. Yep, that is why I had a completely different genre book being rewritten until I lost it.

      I could start with the rewrite again, I guess, but I don't feel it and I'm afraid of the distraction. My muse can be singularly annoying when I can't keep her focused on the matter at hand.

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  3. I'm doing both. I have another book (not a sequel) but it uses the same characters in a completely different story and I have started something absolutely new.

    I hope your beta gets back with you soon. She is really doing a thorough job, Misha. That's a good thing. Good luck! :-)

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    1. Yep. I don't mind that she's taking longer. It's just that the wait is driving me mad.

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  4. A prequel sounds neat. Even if it's for your eyes only, it seems like it gives depth to the later works. And who knows? Maybe it'll be published later, like Tolkien's fabulous Silmarillion!

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    1. Could be, because only one generation earlier has enough going on for a book. :-D

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  5. Wow. That's tough. I'm writing a series myself, but I cannot allow my mind to move on to any of the other volumes until the first is really, fully finished. I can't decide if that's stupid or not.

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    1. Same here. I used to refuse to write the sequel, but now I can't stop thinking about it. So I guess it's not a bad idea to write some scenes down before not thinking about them takes up too much of my will-power needed to edit. :-)

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  6. Awesome with the editing zone!

    I've heard that you shouldn't write a sequel of a book until the first one sells because so much can change. A prequel might not be a bad idea, but if it is extensive, it might take away from Doorways when you need to get back to it. Of course, I completely understand about not wanting to leave that world. I'm sure you'll figure out what calls you to write the most and work on it while you wait.

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    1. I've heard the same thing, but I figured that since all of my drafts inherently require rewrites (I hand-write everything), the no sequel rule doesn't really apply.

      :-)

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  7. That's a tough one! The prequel angle might be a good idea, especially if you don't have to make changes to the story. You could always outline the sequel idea though, that way you keep the information about it close for when you need it. Hope it works out well for you, I hate having the antsy time in between, it drives me crazy too! :)

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    1. Yeah it's driving me nuts, but I might get the crits back soon, so it might not be all that bad. :-D

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  8. I never thought of any of this before. I say play with a prequel and make notes for a sequel. You can always just write scenes or conversations that you think might work. If you use them great, if not, it's not great loss.

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    1. I agree with you. Any scenes that I write at this stage will be a great help to writing the story. Even if they don't make it in. :-)

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  9. That's a tough decision.

    It may be worth the time and effort to get the revisions done before going on to the next project, but that's just me. You don't always have to have the series completed before a deal. You just need that one great book as a spring board. But that said, do what works best for you.

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    1. Yeah I know what you mean. I don't want to write the sequel because I need it for a book deal. I want to write it because I had a sudden flash of inspiration that I want to get down before it leaves me. :-D

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  10. Have you ever thought about what you would do with Doorways if it doesn't get traditionally published? If you plan to self publish it in that case, then having a sequel ready to release in close proximity to the first could actually boost sales, especially if it ends w/ a cliff hanger or open ending. Most ppl in the business of traditional publication advise against writing sequels to unsold ms. I took this advice once and regretted it. Now that I'm rewriting PF completely I'm going to do the whole series at once.

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    1. You made an excellent point. Even if I get an agent, I might not be able to sell the book to a trad publisher. What then?

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  11. I would start working on a new separate project from Doorways. In case Doorways doesn't sell initially then you have a back up project to shop (like what happened to Natalie Whipple).

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    1. That's a great point, but I'm still recovering from my losses last year. :-(

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  12. I would either do the prequel or write something totally different until Doorways is complete-complete. Unless, like Beth said, you plan to self-publish. Then I, too, believe you need the sequel in place.

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    1. I don't plan to self-publish at this stage, but I'd like to prepare for all eventualities. Especially in a market like this one.

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  13. I'll be starting on Doorways tomorrow. Should finish Tony today. :)

    I find writing a prequel useful for beefing up the piece...what happened before now.

    Go where momentum takes you.

    Wow, editing 100 pages all at once. I think my eyes and brain would fall out.

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    1. Hehehe Mary, turns out it was really useful. I found a massive mistake that day that I would have missed if I edited at a slower pace. :-)

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  14. I think you should follow your heart. Do what excites you and makes you giddy with glee. ^_^

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    1. Excellent advice. I just hope that I don't regret my decision later.

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  15. Congratulations on the editing!

    I don't think writing a prequel would be a complete waste of time--at the very least it could bring out details of the world that would help stories that take place later on.

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    1. That's true. On the other hand, I have no idea as to the size of the prequel, whereas I'm pretty sure about the sequel.

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  16. Wow. Just wow. Please pass on some of that editing energy to me!

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    1. ... Think I'll be less antsy if I shared my energy? ;-)

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  17. You have amazing energy!
    I don't think any form of writing is wasted. As long, that is, as you are enjoying the process. Plus it might lead to another whole book!

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  18. Hello Misha is a pleasure to greet pass.
    happy weekend.
    a hug.

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  19. Good luck, Misha!! I, too, have the same problem. Go forwards or backwards. I've decided, however, to take a break and see how they do before pursuing any more.

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    1. A break is a great idea, if it won't drive you around the bend. :-D

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  20. Congratulations on reaching the exciting editing process, Misha! Here is a link I wrote about the art of editing after doing much research on the subject. You may find it useful.
    http://juliahoneswritinglife.blogspot.com/2011/01/art-of-editing.html

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  21. Awesome Misha..
    Congratulations to you for you getting in the editing zone
    Great progress you achieved.

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