Having recently finished going over the page proofs for The Devil’s Playground, I’m a little embarrassed by how often I whined on Twitter about how sick I was of reading my own book. I’m sure that must sound a little strange, especially to non-writers. Authors are supposed to love their own books unequivocally, and with great passion, at all times. Right?
As I was reading the page proofs for The Devil’s Playground, my eyes kept glazing over, and my attention kept straying. And this is exactly how it always happens when I’m in the page proofs stage, no matter how much I love the book. When I started thinking about just how many times I’d read the book already, I started to realize it would be a hell of a lot more surprising if I weren’t sick of reading it yet.
When I first start writing a new book–even a book in an established series, like the Morgan Kingsley series–there’s always a kind of “getting to know you” period, when I’m feeling my way around, trying to get acclimated to the voice and the characters. During this early stage of writing, I tend to read and edit pretty heavily. (On my current project, the second YA novel, I had three different beginnings before I was finally able to feel comfortable and move forward.) For a 350-400 page manuscript, I’d say this stage usually lasts through the first 50 to 60 pages. At a conservative estimate, I read those first 50 pages or so maybe four times before I feel like I’ve gotten comfortable.
After those first 50 pages, I tend to hit my stride. Each day, when I start writing, I’ll read over and edit the previous day’s work, and then push forward. When I get somewhere between 150 to 200 pages in, I’ll generally do another read-through of the whole manuscript thus far. This helps me make sure I have a good grasp on what’s happened so far (you’d be amazed how easy it is to forget details along the way), and also helps give me a good feel for the pacing–whether the story reads too fast, too slow, or just right. I’ll do some minor editing during this read-through, but anything big, I’ll just jot down a note to fix later.
When the read-through is done, I’ll write another hundred pages or so, then do another read-through, for the same reasons. Then, it’s a race to the finish. I tend to write really fast for the last hundred pages or so. The story is completely clear in my mind, and the finish line is in sight. When I’ve finished the book, I take a deep breath or two, then do yet another read-through. Again, I’ll do minor editing at this stage, but will just jot down notes for bigger changes. I want to keep reading as continuously as possible, which gives me the best chance of noticing any pacing problems or continuity issues.
After that first read-through of the full manuscript, it’s time to roll up my sleeves and do the major editing read. If there are sections that need to be rewritten, or scenes that need to be added, I do it on this pass. I do this read-through on a hard copy, and I edit by hand, using an actual pen. For whatever reason, this is what’s most comfortable to me, even though it means I later must do the tedious task of typing those changes into the computer.
Once I’ve entered all my edits into the manuscript, I print it out and read it yet again. This time, I’m mostly checking for typos and outright mistakes. I’m also at the “I’m sick of this book” stage, though it’s only a minor annoyance at this point. If I have a really tight deadline, this is the last time I’ll read the book before I turn it in to my editor. If I have the luxury of time, I’ll give it to my critique partner first. No matter how much she loves the book, she’ll have some suggestions for changes. At which point I’ll read the book (again!) and make the changes I agree with. Then, I’ll turn it in to my editor.
Think I’m done yet? Think again! Some amount of time later, I’ll get a revision letter from my editor, which means I’ve got to read the book again as I figure out how to incorporate the revisions. Once I’ve made the revisions, I’ll read through to proof read before I send it back to my editor. If I’m lucky, my editor will be happy with this version. If I’m not, I’ll have at least two more reads in my near future.
Let’s add up how many times I’ve read my book by this point:
- First 50 pages: read four times initially, then once each for the two mid-book read-throughs, then three times during my own editing, then two times after my critique partner’s editing, then two more times (at least) during my editor’s editing. If my math is correct, that is at least 13 times I’ve read those first 50 pages or so.
- Whole book: Three times during my own edits, twice during CP’s edits, twice during editor’s edits = 7 full read-throughs.
Is it any surprise, then, that when I receive the copy edits and have to read the whole book yet again, I let out a little groan, and that when I receive the page proofs for one more read, it’s all I can do not to scream and tear out my hair?
So if you’ve seen me complaining on Twitter about how sick I am of The Devil’s Playground, don’t take it to mean I don’t love my book. In my heart, I really do. We just need a little time apart to rekindle that love.
Related posts:
I just blogged about the same thing! Great minds, and all…
I must be an egomaniac, because I LOVE rereading my own stuff. In fact, with the series, I sometimes pick up an earlier episode to verify a small fact, like a minor character’s last name or what kind of car someone drives, and find myself continuing to read until something brings me “to.”
That’s the EDITED stuff, of course. Unedited drafts are another matter.
I’m doing NaNoWriMo, and I’m trying to do, for the first time in my life, a TRUE rough draft, where I write all the way to the end without any editing, reviewing or revising. The voice in the back of my head saying “It’s all crap! You must fix it before moving forward,” has been resistible so far, but it’s getting louder by the day.
If you’re an egomaniac, Dame Toni, then so am I. I do love rereading my own books. I just need a few months off in between readings, to clear them out of my head. With so many readings in so short a time, I’ve practically memorized the manuscript, and that’s what makes it so hard to read it yet again.
Good for you on NaNo. Keep moving forward! You can do it!
I had to laugh because it’s so true. Add to that your CP’s book and you have another one you’ve seen too many times.
Love your writing, BTW.
I am not surprised at all. I have a WIP that I literally had to put down for months or I would have deleted the whole thing in disgust.
I don’t feel so bad about how many times I’ve had to force myself to read my first MS, now. LOL. At first, it was fun and easy. But after a few rounds of editing and rewriting, I felt like pulling out my hair each time I would have to go through and read it again. And I know that, if it gets accepted by an editor, that will only mean more times that I have to read through it. Augh!
Great post, Jenna!
Am I the only one who feels like screaming and pulling out my hair every time I look at my WIP? I went through it like 4 times, then decided to give it to my CP before I tried to fix it again, because maybe I was just making things worse by obsessing. I’m doing NaNo too, and I’m dying because of the sheer amount of incoherent stuff in my draft. But at least I’m writing, right?
Hi Jenna
Thank you for the great post. It’s akin to hearing the same song 50x a day until everyone is sick of it and it vanishes but is loved anew after a long absence, isn’t it?
I wrote exactly like you describe! I was advised to not do that though, and just write without going back like that. What is your advice? *confused*
Thank you again for sharing,
All the best,
RKCharron
xoxo
I have yet to finish a book. Besides life interfering, I’ve always obsessed with editing as I go. I feel that was part of what prevented me from finishing. With my current WIP I’m fighting the urge to edit as I go and I’m winning…for now
Wish me luck!
“I was advised to not do that though, and just write without going back like that. What is your advice? *confused*”
My advice is to figure out what works for you. Writing is not a one-size-fits all kind of gig. I would not be happy if I couldn’t do at least some editing as I go, especially in the beginning. I have to feel like I’m writing on a firm foundation, and if everything in the beginning could still change when I’m 300 pages in, I’d feel like a ship without an anchor. (Not to mention that I’d be sure to forget plot points I ought not to forget.)
That’s what works for me, but then I’ve never been the over-editing type, so I’m not worried about falling into that trap. There are some writer friends of mine I’d strongly encourage to go forward without editing, because I know they’ll get stuck in the mud if they don’t keep moving. Find out what works for you, and do it that way. (Which is pretty much the answer for every question in writing, come to think of it.)
I can totally relate. I take a break (2 weeks when I have that kind of time, four or five days when I don’t) from my manuscript before I go into any deep edits. It helps.
Jenna,
Thanks for the great post today! My first WIP stalled after about 80 pages, so I haven’t gotten to the 350 pages yet/dislike reading it multiple times. I still believe in its concept, but it needs some outlining, then I’ll pick it up and have at it again.
My second WIP, we are getting along better from the start. Haven’t reached 80 pages yet, but it is better outlined, I know how the book will flow from beginning to end, can see the end for my characters, know where everyone is going to be. I am much more excited about this book than the 80 pages stalled WIP. I can see the changes and progression in my characters, and where they will be in future books. Right now I’m at the itchy, can’t get enough time to write, wish I could lock myself in a room and have a love affair with the keyboard phase of writing. A little apprehensive, because I know what happened to the first WIP. But this second is so much more polished than the first was, before I even started writing it, so I think it will flow much smoother.