As I mentioned in my previous post on my revision process, I’m a fast worker. Really fast. Probably too fast.
Once I have a task in front of me I have to start it and then I have to keep working on it until it’s done. It can be very exhausting because I devote all of my spare time to it. My weekend mornings for an hour, my evenings for two to three hours, whatever I can spare, I give it until the job is done.
When it comes to other things my efficient work habits are an asset, when it comes to writing, not so much.
Because I work so fast I get really caught up in my story. I get so close to it that I stop seeing it as anything but a whole picture. Luckily my agent understands my little problem and points out areas of concern as I’m working.
As I mentioned in my previous post, I discovered a way to trick myself into slowing down a little, at least where editing is concerned. When I’m reading through a chapter I trust my gut to tell me when something isn’t sounding right or if I’ve taken the easy way out and glossed over details in my rush to get to the end. With my last round of editing I actually stopped myself from moving on from a chapter until I was fully satisfied with the way it sounded. Sometimes that meant rereading it several times before I got it just right which was very time consuming but also kept me busy. By the time I was finished with the last round I was really confident that I’d nailed all of the problems. Going through I addressed all of my agent’s comments and concerns and tried to think like her, raise questions like she does and use a critical eye while reading. Overall, I feel that I was extremely successful with this method and plan to use it again on the next project.
My biggest problem now is the down time. I need to get started on something new so that I can use up those newly available hours with something productive.
What are your work habits like? Are you a procrastinator? A workaholic?
Another good blog Angela! Determination is the 'key' definitely! I jump in and start. It's easy to come up with ideas, but then just as I'm on a roll, something else strikes me, and I'm off writing a different story...a little flighty at times, but then I have to push myself back to my original work to finish. It's a vicious circle. LOL But, I love it! I need to finish everything I start. While ideas are great, they don't get the 'job' done unless I push myself. I need to do it more often. :)
ReplyDeleteI can be a little of both. But, when I was working on revisions, I worked until my vision was blurry. Then, I started fresh the next day. Rinse. Repeat.
ReplyDeleteAnd now, I wait. And wait. And...wait.
Can I be both, too? I put off what I'm supposed to be doing until I frustrate myself into getting started. Then, I can't be stopped. I lose hours in my words. I'll glance down and it's past midnight and I'm like "Huh, when did that happen?"
ReplyDeleteTo be honest you can spend time either researching whats already out there or starting to put together a new project, that way you'll always be busy.
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear of the success again and as has already been said, another great post.