The Revision is On

Well, the revision process has begun. I let the manuscript sit for about two weeks, I didn't mess with it at all-- unless you count the day after I finished it, and you shouldn't it. It took me about fifteen minutes to figure out that it's too soon.

Anyway, I spend two day combing through the first 100 pages. It was fast work, and also encouraging. Those pages had been vetted already. About two years ago, my agent sent them out. Rejections all around, but I am not sure why. I will admit that those rejections stopped me cold for a while. Lesson learned: don't get market feedback on something that's not finished.

But the point of that is to say that the 100 pp were in pretty spiffy condition, so it was sort of easy to work on them. The next 100 is another matter entirely. Here's my fear-- and I will have to be vague because although this is a sort of secret blog that no one reads, it's still the internet.

There are some sort of autobiographical elements that get introduced on page 101. It's just a tiny subplot, but I worry about it. Maybe it's not right to say autobiographical, maybe I should say "biographical." It's a story and an issue in my family. It's just a small plot marbling through it, but I am still a little antsy. I have never written anything (knowingly) that might rankle anyone. I guess this is something that happens to every writer at some point.

I always advise my students to write the story. Write the story and worry about people later. Writing and publishing aren't the same thing. So here I am trying to take my own advice. I have nine minutes left to sip coffee and be scared before I return to work.