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First revision of a NaNoWriMo manuscript

  • Mar. 12th, 2009 at 1:21 PM
Mindy's head shot
A couple weeks ago, I completed my most intense revision ever! It was for an MG I wrote for NaNoWriMo 2007. I had received a revision request on it, and went through the manuscript once with the suggestions in mind, then changed whatever jumped at me and made pages of notes for areas I could improve during round two. Each time I went through, I could see how much stronger it was...until I finally thought it was ready. I am so grateful that a blueboard friend offered to swap manuscript critiques. Even though this had been through my groups several times, having a fresh set of eyes helped me see new areas I could improve, and some ways I could make the revisions requested even stronger. So I finished those revisions and rode off into the sunset...

Okay, not quite. I was surprised how many revision rounds it took. Strengthening one area often gave me new insight into others, and it just kind of snowballed from there. Then, I got to that magical place, where it felt like I went through a couple of rounds changing a word here or there. And I knew it was ready.

Finishing that revision felt amazing! And yes, I did my typical happy dance celebration, like I do with every milestone.

And then I took out my NaNoWriMo 2008 project and dug into revisions. Except, my head was still in polishing mode, and I had a few intense days trying to take the manuscript up many levels at once, before I realized what I was doing. I practically knew the other manuscript by heart. I could be in a situation and know exactly what my other MC would do or say. But after writing this new novel in 16 days, and not really looking at it since...I was back to square one. Double checking my character sketches, looking at the list of changes I made while writing it (since I couldn't really edit during NaNo).

At first, it was kind of scary. Unfamiliar. But now, I really love getting to know these new characters better. And I love, love, love the story! So I'm excited to be working on this revision...but know I have to take it one step at a time. I can move this manuscript up one or two levels during this revision--and take as many rounds as I need to make it shine, like the other one.

Have you noticed anything like this when you finish polishing one manuscript and quickly jump into revising an early draft of another one?
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Comments

( 10 comments — Leave a comment )
[info]fallpeople wrote:
Mar. 12th, 2009 06:27 pm (UTC)
I'm revising a NaNo manuscript too and trying not to get overwhelmed. One step at a time is right!
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[info]mindyalyse wrote:
Mar. 14th, 2009 04:29 am (UTC)
How far are you on your revisions? I'm sending tons of good revision vibes your way. (((Hugs)))

I was making fairly good progress, until my daughter was sick for a week. Then I caught a really bad virus, and now both of us have it (although I'm finally starting to feel a little more like myself--but she's still at the high fever stage).
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[info]annemariewrites wrote:
Mar. 12th, 2009 09:40 pm (UTC)
1. I love that you NaNo. :D
2. Good for you! Returning to a novel is sometimes the hardest part.
3. For me, I notice that while editing a novel I'll have a hundred different ideas for OTHER stories that need to be written RIGHT NOW. It's like the writer's version of creative procrastination.
4. Your revision happy dance needs to be posted to youtube. I'm just saying.
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[info]mindyalyse wrote:
Mar. 14th, 2009 04:34 am (UTC)
LOL, during NaNo, I think it was Meg Cabot who said that leaving the NaNo novel for another one would be like cheating. When that happens to me, I open a new file, jot down a bunch of ideas, then focus back on my current WIP. When I'm done, I tend to have a bunch of ideas begging to be next in line.

Only my daughters have seen my revision/milestone happy dance--I have a feeling it's better to keep it that way! I might stop doing it if I knew how it really looked.
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[info]kbaccellia wrote:
Mar. 13th, 2009 12:41 am (UTC)
You go, Mindy.
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[info]mindyalyse wrote:
Mar. 14th, 2009 04:35 am (UTC)
Thanks, Kim! How is everything going on your revision? You've been working so hard, and making amazing changes--I know you'll have it ready to dazzle soon. :)
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[info]kbaccellia wrote:
Mar. 14th, 2009 04:56 pm (UTC)
It's almost there. I've had two Beta readers go over the full and Joyce's seen almost all of it. I still need to send her the last 40 pages.

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[info]mindyalyse wrote:
Mar. 16th, 2009 03:39 am (UTC)
Yay for almost having the revision ready! Let me know when you submit it, so I can send more good vibes your way. :)
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[info]hollybok wrote:
Mar. 16th, 2009 04:02 am (UTC)
Awesome blog entry
Hi Mindy,
This blog entry is so complete and helpful. I just read THE QUIRKIEST PICTURE BOOK published by Atheneum, so your speaker was right on. It's called Gertrude is Gertrude is Gertrude is Gertrude.
Thanks for all the great info.
Holly from PS
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[info]mindyalyse wrote:
Mar. 17th, 2009 11:47 am (UTC)
Re: Awesome blog entry
Thanks, Holly.

I haven't read Gertrude is Gertrude is Gertrude is Gertrude--but it sounds like a fun read. I'll check it out!
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