Even When You're Done Writing, Keep Writing

So I'm still in the midst of editing... it's college finals time, y'all. But I'm sticking with the edits for several reasons:

1. I want to finish them with the goal of sending the manuscript to agents
2. I want to finish by January so that I can start the new year with an edited manuscript
3. I'm applying to graduate school for creative writing and the application is due by Jan. 1 and I'm hoping to use part of it as my writing sample
4. I'M TIRED OF EDITING

That last point is the topic of this blog post. Yes, I am tired of editing, but not really. That doesn't mean that I'm tired of writing, or that I'm tired of this manuscript, or that I'm tired of anything related to this. I have loved every step of this process and the editing phase is no exception. I'm just ready for the next phase of this. I want to edit it to the best of my abilities and continue on with this manuscript.

So I'm not really tired of editing, I'm just ready for the next thing. And I think that's a good thing.

However, my point here is that anything, even something you love, can become frustrating at times. I've heard some writers say that their favorite part of writing a book is the editing phase. They like polishing it and making it really good. Other writers will tell you their favorite part is the actual writing part. They like the creative word vomit phase, where it's just bursts of inspiration and chasing rabbit trails to see where they lead.

I can tell you that I'm in the second camp. I prefer the writing stage. So even though I have loved perfecting this manuscript and really making it more than just a stream of consciousness from my chaotic head, I kind of miss the writing phase.

So what's the solution? I just keep writing. 

I started writing the sequel to this manuscript as well as an entirely different manuscript. 

Now before you tell me I'm getting ahead of myself, let me tell you that even if that sequel never gets published, I'll still enjoy getting it written. I love writing. Of course the goal is to publish, but I write because I truly love it. There isn't much else I love more. 

But you see where I'm going here? Since writing is my favorite part of the process, I just keep writing. So when I get frustrated with my edits, I can remind myself why it will all be worth it. I like seeing the finished product that is edited and is much better than it was when I was typing anything and everything that came to my mind. Writing something different keeps me excited because I truly love writing, no matter what I say when I get frustrated. 

This works in reverse as well. If you like editing better and you are struggling to write something new, alternate it with editing something else. Mixing it up keeps it interesting and fun. You also get two projects done at once (Okay, not really at once, but you get my point). I love every phase of writing, but mixing them up keeps anything from getting the slightest bit stale.

How to Tell Your Friends about Your Book (Spoiler Alert: Just Do It!)

First off, a small update: I am still working on my second read-through and editing. College midterms got in the way...

Anyway, a conversation I had in class the other day sparked the idea for this post. I was talking with a classmate (who I talk to every class meeting) about my plans to go to graduate school for creative writing and she commented that she has often seen me scribbling furiously before class starts. We laughed, we chatted, and we had a pretty good talk. 

And then she asked me if I've finished anything yet. I told her that I had, that I had written a YA fantasy book and that I was currently editing it. And then she asked me THE question. THE dreaded question.

"So what is the book about?"

I hate that question. It always makes me super uncomfortable because I always feel pretty stupid talking about it. I didn't even tell my mom I was writing this manuscript until I was like 2-3 years into it. My best friend practically coaxed it out of me. I always feel really stupid telling people that I wrote a book about a mermaid. 

But I sucked it up and I told her, mostly because I didn't want to dodge her question like a weirdo, but also because I like talking about books and writing, even if it's my own.

And what was her response? Did she laugh at me? Did she ridicule my idea? Did she say it was childish or silly or pointless or weird or any of the things I always fear?

No. Of course not. She thought it was cool. She couldn't believe that I wrote a book, joking that she can't write at all. She thought it was impressive.

I always hesitate to tell people what my book is about because I fear a medley of responses, none of which I have ever actually gotten. It's a silly fear and I should get over it. Within the past 6-8 months or so, I've told several of my friends and none of them have responded that way. I've asked a couple of friends to read some of it (insert paralyzing anxiety here) and they have loved it. 

So let's bring it back to my classmate. I told her how uncomfortable it makes me to talk about it because I feel so stupid, and what did she say? "Well, J.K. Rowling must have thought the same thing at some point, considering the fantasy she wrote." 

Now I'm not even pretending to know what J.K. Rowling thinks, but the point remains the same. Who's to say that my idea is stupid? Someone had to come up with Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Vampire Diaries, Narnia, Twilight, and about a million other examples. Fantasy is a freaking weird genre, and that's why it's so great. All of the great fantasy novels we have today started at the same place I'm at.

I'm not saying my book will become a massive hit like Harry Potter (though that would be awesome), but I should be confident in my book and my idea. It may take time, but I should learn to discuss my book with confidence and a healthy sense of pride because I came up with the idea for the book and then I wrote it down.

Talking with friends about this has actually made me much happier and confident, even when it is awkward. I like talking about it. I like knowing that I've let it escape from my head and other people know the story and it's not just me anymore. It's really liberating. 

So if you are living with the fear of telling your friends about your book idea, just do it. Seriously. You will feel a heck of a lot better.