Bewitched & Betrayed -- final draft started
Early last week, I was about five chapters from the end of Bewitched & Betrayed, words flowing like water and suddenly that flow stopped.
Crap.
With previous books, I'd push and shove for a few days or even a week before I would realize what had happened. I guess this being my fourth book, it recognized the signs quicker, like within an hour or two. The exact same thing has happened with my other books, and this one is apparently going true to form, which is a good and reassuring thing. I've never been able to write a first draft straight through to the end.
So what causes me to slam on the brakes?
It happens because I know there are sections of the book that need work, new characters need to be named, dialog/action tags need to be put in. All of this has to be done before I can write those last few chapters. Essentially, unless the foundation and walls of the house are solid, I can't put a roof on the thing yet. So . . . time to start Draft 2.
Last week, I dropped back and started the final polish on Chapter 1. That took one day. So did Chapter 2. Due to having a root canal on Friday, I took that day off. Saturday, I put Chapter 3 to bed. Yesterday, apparently the root canal caught up to me and I felt the need for a 4-hour nap, so I took it. (I'd like to complete a chapter a day, but it's fine if a few of them take two days, but no more than that (if at all possible).
If I can stick to that and write the last few chapters with a mininum of trouble, who knows? I might actually turn this book in on time. ; )
Lisa
Crap.
With previous books, I'd push and shove for a few days or even a week before I would realize what had happened. I guess this being my fourth book, it recognized the signs quicker, like within an hour or two. The exact same thing has happened with my other books, and this one is apparently going true to form, which is a good and reassuring thing. I've never been able to write a first draft straight through to the end.
So what causes me to slam on the brakes?
It happens because I know there are sections of the book that need work, new characters need to be named, dialog/action tags need to be put in. All of this has to be done before I can write those last few chapters. Essentially, unless the foundation and walls of the house are solid, I can't put a roof on the thing yet. So . . . time to start Draft 2.
Last week, I dropped back and started the final polish on Chapter 1. That took one day. So did Chapter 2. Due to having a root canal on Friday, I took that day off. Saturday, I put Chapter 3 to bed. Yesterday, apparently the root canal caught up to me and I felt the need for a 4-hour nap, so I took it. (I'd like to complete a chapter a day, but it's fine if a few of them take two days, but no more than that (if at all possible).
If I can stick to that and write the last few chapters with a mininum of trouble, who knows? I might actually turn this book in on time. ; )
Lisa
posted by Lisa Shearin at
6:01 AM
5 Comments:
Good luck Lisa!
at least you recognized the signs sooner
:)
Thank you!
Yep, realizing it immediately was both a time and sanity saver. ; )
Hi Lisa. I am a huge fan yet this is my first time to comment. I am worried about the implications of the title "Bewitched and Betrayed." I don't know if my heart would survive should Tam or Michael betray Raine. Please give me a sign - should I stock up on tissues before I curl up with the last installment on my absolutely favorite heroine?
I'm so glad you commented!
There's absolutely no need to worry. 1. Bewitched & Betrayed isn't the final book. 2. There's NO need to stock up on tissues. : )
Thanks goodness. That scared me too. I was basically trusting you to not let anything awful happen, but still...
Thanks Lisa!
Now I just need to know why Michelle Sagara's next book is Cast in Silence
(silence? silence? doesn't sound good, though it will probably be fine)
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