The progress on revising my novel (4th revision) is going slower than anticipated. With moving houses and some unforeseen problems associated with the move, I haven’t had as much time to sit down and write as I would have hoped. I am meeting periodically with one of my test readers, and he has given me some good feedback. Based on our discussions, I think I’m going to write an entirely new beginning to the story. It’s an event that is mentioned throughout the story, a significant event that should be shown and not simply told in passing exposition or dialogue. The first couple of chapters will be altered by this change, but I believe it will be for the better. If all goes well with my house stuff, I hope I can get back on schedule by the middle of next month sometime.
Good luck. I always have the hardest time maintaining motivation through the revision process. It evokes a weird mix of self loathing about the project and fatalism about whatever is there.
The very term “4th revision” kind of terrifies me.
Good luck.
Eric and Carla, thanks to the both of you. As soon as I can get some house repairs taken care of and settle in, I should be able to get back on track. Then there are the holidays, and that’s always tough because of traveling. But I have plenty of vacation days I can use to work on my writing.
Keep going, Steven.
Thanks, Heidi! You know I’m a perfectionist and will want it to be perfect before I submit it.