Tuesday, March 8, 2011

My Favorite Things

Did you think I was going to break into song?  I'm not Julie Andrews.  I have a book due to come out at the beginning of the summer and my publisher sent Tiger's Mate to me for the final read through.  I love this part of the process.  It's one of my favorite parts of the writing process. 

Why? I think it's because I know it's too late to make any big changes. All the major problems have been fixed and I'm mostly looking for spelling and grammatical mistakes.  The plot holes have been filled, loose ends tied up and character missteps ironed out.

I'll probably work on this every free moment for the next seven days and send it back over the weekend.  Then I'll get back to my current WIP which happens to be the next book in this fantasy romance series.  I love creating a new book.  It's one of my favorite things in the writing process.

I also enjoy the second draft when I search out all those passive verbs, repetitive phrases and pet words which for me is usually, 'just.'  I usually have a list of things I need to fix in the plot I refer to when I work on the second draft.  It takes me about a third of the time to do a second draft compared to the first draft.  Maybe that's why it's one of my favorite parts of my writing process.

You probably figured out where this is going.  With the exception of writing a synopsis, I enjoy every part of writing a novel.  Each draft, first, second, final and even the polishing in between, have attractions.  I didn't used to like editing.  I just wanted to write new stuff all the time.  But since I published my first book, I enjoy fine-tuning a manuscript into a novel someone might want to buy and read. 

So what is your favorite part of the writing process?  Which part do you find the most challenging?  Name a few of your favorite things.

11 comments:

Bossy Betty said...

I was really hoping you would break into song. I like just thinking about writing. It's a lot easier than the actual process and in my daydreaming I am an excellent writer. I think I'll daydream a review for my first novel I have yet to write.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I like it all! I really like editing because the story is complete - now I just have to improve it.

Golden Eagle said...

I like the first draft the best. I often get frustrated because of all the holes, but just being able to let go and pour out words is a lot of fun for me. :)

Mary@GigglesandGuns said...

I love the first draft and the first rewrite. Then I have to put it away because I hate everything. It looks better after I've been away a while.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

You are so funny, Betty.
I know what you mean, Mary, about hating everything but then it doesn't seem so bad when I go back later.

Anonymous said...

Congrats on your book! Mine went through 5 long drafts. I finally enjoyed the process near the end.

I'm sure you're very excited! It IS exciting to be so close to publication!!

The Happy Whisk said...

That is wonderful to read that you've come to enjoy editing. It sure gets a bad wrap but I swear, so much fun to be had. Glad you're doing well. Keep up the great work and happy eating.

Anonymous said...

I love it all. I'm just a maniac for writing, research, editing, whatever. I just love to write. What can I say? Its all good!

Helen Ginger said...

My favorite part of the writing process is reading. The title alone makes me want to find out more.

Seriously, my favorite part of writing is the initial phase when I get lost in the story and write until I fall asleep at the computer.

Natalie J. Damschroder said...

I loved the way you wrote this. I'm the same way--love almost everything about being a writer.

RaShelle Workman said...

I can't stand the synopsis either. Eeep! Just the thought gives me hives. ;D