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It's time for What's Up Wednesday, a weekly meme run by Erin L Funk and Jaime Morrow. Here's what I've been up to this past week!
What I'm reading
I read The Infinite by Lori M. Lee, the sequel to Gates of Thread and Stone. I also read The Legacy Human, Susan Kaye Quinn's new YA sci-fi novel. Loved it! I'm a huge fan of SKQ's blog, which is one of the best resources out there for indie authors.
I'm now reading A Darker Shade of Magic by Victoria Schwab, which is fabulous.
What I'm writing
More edits. All the edits. Book 3 is a jigsaw, Book 4 is too short, and large sections of Books 5 and 6 need rewriting.
Don't try and edit four books at once, guys. *picks pieces of brain off the walls*
My writing goal this week: More edits. Stop getting distracted by shiny, shiny plotbunnies...
Leaving notes in my manuscripts as I'm drafting. Unfortunately, it means when I'm editing, I'll come across them and have no idea what they mean (or find astonishingly unhelpful notes like "insert witty line here" or, my personal favourite, "EPIC BATTLE THING" in place of an actual scene). Oh, and I have so much trouble thinking of names, I tend to use initials or punctuation marks in the first draft and then have to replace them with actual names later.
What else is new
The usual - work, editing, all the emails, flailing because people out there are reading Adamant (EEEEP!). Playing Lego Hobbit.
It's also time for IWSG! The Insecure Writer's Support Group is the creation of Ninja Captain Alex, and is a great way for writers to share their worries, support and encouragement.
I'm a bundle of nerves at the moment, as my first self-published book, Adamant, releases in a week! I've been through the pre-release jitters before, of course, but this time it's different because it's the first book I'm launching independently! I'm switching between excitement that I finally get to share this story and that dreaded condition known as Imposter Syndrome. In the UK, self-published books (and even small press books) aren't acknowledged by bookshops or conventions and as I don't live in London, it's difficult for me to get to most publishing events. I don't mind that (luckily, because I've never been able to get a signing and there aren't likely to be any local events), but sometimes it feels a bit isolating. So I'm having to do my usual reminder that publishing a book is still epically awesome, even if I'm celebrating alone in the attic by writing another book. Which, to be honest, is the best way to celebrate!
Only seven more days to go! :D
Publishing a book independently is amazing! Definitely don't lose sight of that ^_^
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the edits, and I hope that pesky plot bunny isn't too distracting.
Have a great week!
I won't! *flails*
DeleteThanks! :D
Yes, editing 4 books at once seems like a tall order. I think it's great you're now officially a "hybrid" author. I hope to be one too. I think it's the wave of the future. Good luck with Adamant!!
ReplyDeleteI do think it's the way forward! (and I've LOVED the self-publishing process! ^_^) Thanks! :)
DeleteIt's definitely awesome! And knowing you, I have a feeling you'd much rather celebrate that way anyway. ;)
ReplyDelete*insert witty line here*
(See what I did there?)
Have a great week!
Haha, you may be right. :P
DeleteGood luck on the release! And you're right - publishing a book is "epically awesome." And so is writing one! :)
ReplyDeleteVery true! ^_^
DeleteDude, I'm editing ONE manuscript and my brain hurts. I can't imagine being in the midst of four! You rock, Emma! Have an awesome week!
ReplyDeleteI'm crazy like that. :P Thanks! :)
DeleteLeaving notes in my manuscript and coming back later and not knowing what to do with them is one of the main reasons why I edit while I draft. I'm afraid if I don't make the changes as soon as I think of them, they'll never happen.
ReplyDeleteI'm the same - if I need to make a big change, I like to get it over with! But with smaller things, stopping to change slows down my momentum.
DeleteOh my gosh. The idea of editing four books at once makes my head spin! Good luck with that!
ReplyDeleteI may be a little crazy. Thanks! :)
DeleteI'm really excited to read The Legacy Human!
ReplyDeleteI leave notes for myself in my first draft just like that! And also with the names. I'm actually writing a series about a band, and haven't named the band, so use (in all caps) GIRLBANDNAME* every time it's used. My ms looks so funny.
Good luck with Adamant's release! Take care of yourself, be careful with the stress. Remember to keep breathing. :)
Haha, it does look strange with all the names replaced.
DeleteThank you! I will try! :D
Ha! I do the same thing, scattering notes like shrapnel throughout my WiPs. Often that's what I need to do in order to keep writing and not get hung up on something I can't quite figure out in the moment. I can't tell you how many times I've left [insert something better here] in my WiPs. Uh...thanks, Tips. :P Good luck with your edits, Emma. I'm sure doing all of the books at once, while stressful, is the best plan of attack when you're writing a series. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteIt really helps to keep going through a draft, even if it does cause headaches at the editing stage! :P Thanks! :)
DeleteI think making notes as you go allows you to move forward. Actually, I need to do that more. I can obsess over something for hours.....even if the notes are meaningless when I go back. Good luck with the book and HUGE applause, and one day I hope you get that book signing! Stay the course _/)
ReplyDeleteThank you! ^_^
DeleteCongrats on the soon-to-be release!
ReplyDeleteThanks! :)
DeleteCongratulations on the upcoming release. We're all celebrating with you
ReplyDeleteThank you! :D
DeleteWow, I can't imagine editing four books at once. I'm ready to tear by hair out when writing one and editing another. You're awesome!
ReplyDeleteMaybe a little crazy. :P Thanks! :)
DeleteI feel your jitters. Close to publishing something myself. We can do it though because we rock! And IWSG is there to kick our butts if we get too pessimistic.
ReplyDeleteYay! Best of luck! :) *high five*
DeleteI have edit notes like that too. *put it beautiful detail* or *research this because it might not be true* Ergh. I don't think I could edit four books at once! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks! :)
DeleteOh my gosh, four books at once?! Um, that might be a little on the crazy side. :) You better take lots of breaks with meditation and aromatherapy! Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteI may be a bit crazy. :P Thanks!
DeleteI have A Darker Shade of Magic in my tbr pile. I leave notes too in my manuscripts sometimes I'm questioning what I wrote. Maybe I should leave notes for my notes. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteHaha, leaving notes for my notes might help! Thanks! :)
DeleteI'm sorry about your exploding brain. Editing that many books at once has got to be a nightmare. I have a tough time with *one* book. (Not of big fan of edits...period)
ReplyDeleteI leave cryptic notes for myself in my WiP too. Sometimes it just says "like this but better" Hah!
Hope you have a great week!
It's less scary than drafting, but may result in exploding brains. :P
DeleteThanks!
It's still awesome no matte how you publish. If it's an ebook, then it doesn't matter where you live - those are international. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteA huge congrats and best wishes for your launch.
ReplyDeleteAnd I can so relate to you leaving notes to yourself during writing. I do that too and scratch my head a lot when I come across them again. lol.
I just stopped when I read that note - EPIC battle thing - yes, I've done that, and I'm so glad I'm not alone! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd way to go with Adamant! Congrats and celebrate however you wish! Let us all know how we can shout out about it. (send me an e-mail - tyreantigger@gmail.com - if you would like a "blast" on the day of)
Wow, that's a lot of editing at once. I don't think I could keep it all straight. Good luck with Adamant! Hope all goes well with the release! I like your way of celebrating. And I like Lego Hobbit (and LOTR) people, too.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with releasing ADAMANT!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I'm not the only one who leaves vague and unhelpful notes to themselves while drafting, haha.