Ha! I TOLD you I'd blog on Wednesday. If I only had something to talk about...
I appreciate all the nice comments from last time - about you guys preferring me working on my books instead of neglecting them and blogging. Well, I'll try to keep doing both. I like having this connection with my readers and friends.
I'm getting to the point where my brain is fried on THE MAZE RUNNER. I've read the stupid thing a million times, and I'm going through feedback comments, which just start driving you batty. It becomes so subjective, and often the cost/benefit ratio just isn't worth it on a lot of the changes. But on the other hand, it's hard to ignore advice, even if it would only make it a teensy tinsy bit better.
Starts to drive me crazy. But don't get me wrong, I REALLY appreciate it and would never choose not to do it. Plus, the end product wouldn't be as sweet if I didn't have to struggle a bit, right?
I LOVE writing the first draft. Love it, love it, love it. But revisions really start to wear me down after awhile.
Am I complaining? Yes, I think I'm complaining. Bad James. Be thankful for what you have and quit whining. I am ashamed. I'll keep working diligently until I can whip this thing to my editor on Monday. It's almost here!
J. Scott Savage, otherwise known as Jeff, took me and our mutual editor, Lisa Mangum, out to lunch today. It was so much fun! All we did was talk shop, and it was great. I came up with some AWESOME ideas for Book 3 of THE 13TH REALITY. Can't wait to get working on that. I plan on relaxing next week and playing around with that book. It's gonna be good times.
Speaking of Savage, his book will FINALLY be out, officially, on Friday. It's already in many stores. I'm going to do a full blog post on it next week, but in the meantime, you gotta check it out. VERY GOOD BOOK. It's called FARWORLD: WATER KEEP, and Jeff is having a release party in Spanish Fork Utah this Saturday afternoon. For more information, CLICK HERE.
I hope some of you are coming to LUW Roundup this weekend. I'm teaching a class (twice) called "20 things I've learned since first getting published." I might even throw in a bonus Number 21. Don't miss it!
Well, not much else to say. Be good, and don't be mean to people.
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9 comments:
I'm the opposite, James. I have a hard time with first drafts. Revisions scare me, but I feel like I have a better handle on my characters the second time around.
I'm sure I missed it an earlier post...LUW sounds great but I won't be able to attend. Is that short for "Luau"? And will you be wearing a grass skirt? Have fun!
James,
I just finished reading The 13th Reality (I know I'm behind the times, too many books, too little time). I loved it and am excited for the next one to come out.
As for Jeff's book, I agree with you completely. I was able to read the ARC (one of the joys of being the manager of a bookstore) and loved it. It is in my store and all other Seagull Book stores (as far as I know).
Have a great weekend at the LUW Roundup Conference, sounds like it would be a lot of fun. Too bad I can't go.
I cant wait for Farworld, its looks like its going to be great!
^.^ revise, rewrite, resend, reread...ah, the life of an author.
(I hope its nothing to do with what i said...)
Won't make Roundup this year, James, so I'll miss your performance as MC--unless you do something shocking that earns national coverage as a scandal, which I would greatly appreciate.
As for complaining about editorial suggestions, don't you dare apologize! Writers are supposed to be petulant; it's practically a job qualification. So don't go ruining it for all of us by suggesting we should actually be pleasant to work with. What kind of rep is that for someone of your stature?
First drafts are very, very hard for me to get through. It gets ugly.
For me this first draft is the most painful (in a blissfully neurotic, self-imposed tortue kind-of way). :)
FARWORLD is fantabulous! What a fun and exciting read! I'm looking forward to seeing Jeff (J. Scott) here in Houston in a little over a week, and YOU, young man, the week after that (assuming Houston is still here. You realize we have a hurricaine headed our way this weekend?!!!)
Gee, wish I had your problem. I CAN'T STAND the first draft stage but I really shine when it comes to revision. Consequently, my first drafts STINK.
I'd love to come to LUW, been meaning to every year, but now that I've moved out of state I doubt I'm considered a Utah writer anymore. Dang those state lines.
Say hi to everyone for me.
Dash, my friend, I would come to LUW just to hear you MC if I didn't have the launch party. You are on funny MC. On the other hand, you can't crack any jokes about me if I'm not there. Thanks for the mention. Lunch was a lot of fun.
I was just looking at your website, the 13th reality.com, and I'm really interested. My teacher told us to take a look at your website over the weekend. I'm glad I did! Your book seems really convincing to read. I think that this is probably going to be the next book I read. Is it hard being an author, and having to think of tons of brilliant ideas that people will love? Being an author seems like a world of ideas just waiting to get on paper. Do you always know exactly what ideas to chose from,or does it take you a while to decide? I can't wait to get that book in my hands! FROM, SHANNON D. WOODBURY MIDDLE SCHOOL SALEM,NH
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