Several people have asked about Bob's progress of late, so here's a quick update. At the moment, I'm in the middle of a silent read-through, and then I'll only have one more out-loud read-through to do. (I didn't used to read my manuscripts out loud at all. Now, I can't stand the thought of NOT reading the whole thing out loud at least once.)
While reading, I'm tweaking small details, shaving words, freaking out. Mostly freaking out, I'm afraid. (He's awful. He's wonderful! This is taking forever. I'm finished! I'm not. He's awful. He's wonderful!) I'm planning to finish sometime in the next couple of weeks, so hopefully, I shouldn't have to live like this for much longer. I haven't been myself lately.
And now, since I'm a card-carrying member of the Society for Math Nerds, Geeks, and Dweebs, a few numbers:
Current word count (to the nearest thousand): 79,000 (and falling)
Highest word count ever: 80,000
Lowest word count ever: 59,000
Number of betas who've read any part of Bob: 9
Number of betas who've read all of Bob: 7
Number of betas who've read all of Bob more than once: 3 (thank you, thank you, thank you, Myrna, Kelly, and Honey Bear!)
I can't say enough about my awesome, awesome beta readers. Honestly, they've made all the difference. Thank you, all nine of you, one more time.
Where are you at with your works-in-progress?
Good job getting Bob worked out! So awesome. I'm crossing my fingers for you to get it finished soon so you can get back to "normal" life! ;)
ReplyDeleteI just finished my latest revisions on Not Your Average Fairy Tale. Just waiting for my agent to get back with me and tell me where we go from here. :)
Oh boy, I'm constantly freaking out. I just don't call it that. I call it...well, I just pretend not to. What, me? Freak out? *silent scream*
ReplyDelete(I'd gladly read Bob again, btw. Even if I have to buy my own copy.)
I'm revising a novel that I'd let rest for a while. I'm currently in the "I hate this book" phase. I'd quit, but I promised my husband I wouldn't and there's that small voice in my head that keeps whispering that parts of it are good. Plus, I know that I wouldn't be able to let go of it at this point.
ReplyDeleteGood luck finishing your revisions and read-throughs! :)
Awesome revision stats! I'm at 81K, with a beta who's seen it a ton. She has it now, actually.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh - I just want to tell you, in two years of reading writing blogs, I've never read a post that resonated so strongly with me. You are where I was in March, working on my second major revision, doing my silent and out-loud read-throughs, and turning into a crazy person. I think it was the craziest I'd ever been, at least in terms my writing life. Now I am on a final polish, and much saner. Good luck with Bob!
ReplyDeleteKrista, great post. I have read SOME of my WiP aloud, but not all of it...I've always felt silly. But now that I know you do, I'm going to give it a try! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Thank you for posting this. I hope you get through the crazies quickly.
ReplyDeleteI'm on my second draft of Binder's Web and really looking forward to next month (when school is out).
Good luck with your revisions!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn, I'm glad to know I'm not the only writer who feels like she's beating her head against a brick wall sometimes. What is this project you've been working on?
ReplyDeleteYou should, Mary! You'll have to blog about it so we can hear how it went...
Myrna, this last week was rough. Today is better. With any luck, I'll be done in another week or two.
Thank you, Jessica!
Eek. It's that love hate bounce that makes writers such a neurotic bunch. But I also think that it's also what makes us ABLE to write and be honest with ourselves about our work.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your progress, and may Bob be ready to meet the world head on very soon!
Anita, thank you. We are neurotic, aren't we? And I hope Bob's ready soon, too.
ReplyDeleteYou do have great CP's! I have a few of those too and I feel like I can't send them enough chocolate and hand-knitted stuff. They are the best.
ReplyDeleteKrista- I love Bob. I really do. I hope an agent person does too. And thanks you for all your help with Ways to Fall. It's been invaluable.
ReplyDeleteI think I love my beta readers in a very similar way I love my kids' school teachers. They've given things I could not, seen sides of them that I could not, helped them grow when I have done what I could and ran out of things to try. Thank you.
Wow, Christa, you send your CPs chocolates and hand-knitted stuff? You're a way better crit partner than I am. I just send mine my next manuscript...
ReplyDeleteKelly, what a beautiful description of what a beta reader does. And thank you for your encouragement. I feel the same way about WAYS TO FALL:)