As a person with impatient tendencies, I usually get annoyed when someone says "give it time." Time? What time? That's so vague. You know what's not vague? Now. Now is oh-so-clear and present and all-around fabulous.But as I trudged through the revision process on my manuscript this winter, "now" wasn't working. My main character still had lots of pain, lots of questions, and little resolution. Oddly enough, so did I. So I took a major writing breather (two months, people! two months away from my baby) to sift through Sam-stuff.
When I came back to the manuscript, I finally understand the deepest layers of my MC's pain, and how her healing would come about. That time away? Crucial for clarity. I needed to, gulp, give it time (she admits grudgingly). If I had tried to push forward regardless of timing, my character would miss out on the bucketfuls of healing I can now pour all over her.
So, okay. Maybe there's something to this timing thing. What do you guys think? Have things had to play out in any particular timing for your writing to soar?
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18 comments:
I definitely think time away is sometimes a very good thing. Give yourself distance and the chance to be surprised by your own writing. It helps me to edit more when I take time away to forget what I was getting at.
I am the most impatient person I know (which is saying a lot since I have a special needs child who cannot comprehend delayed gratification). But the motto I live by when things aren't moving at the pace I'd like them to is "Timing is everything". And I believe it.
You are right on about timing. Taking time away from a manuscript can be crucial and taking time to get to the point where writing is publishable is just as crucial.
I'm definitely a "now" kind of person. I don't like to wait and I get impatient to move forward with my writing at times. But looking back on all I've learned and all I've gone through with writing, I realize that waiting, that taking time with it, has made my stories better and my whole attitude toward writing so much more productive.
Oh wow, this is very good to read right now. I have felt--through two rounds of revisions--that it took me a long time (MONTHS!) to really "see" what was needed in my manuscript. I had to compost all the notes and ideas and let them sit for a while. It was a crucial step for me. And during that time, it was hard to see any forward motion in the revision. But that was how I had to do it. I feel this pressure to revise quickly. But, I'm afraid that is just not me. I wish I had been more conscious about stepping away for a while. I think that would help a lot. Thanks for the insight! Glad to know I'm not the only one!
Haha, yep, I hate hearing "give it time" or "have patience," because I am all about NOW NOW NOW!
But, as I posted (with my fridge metahpor?! lol), "they" are right: give it time, and have patience. Sigh. Two things I'm not very good at, but learning that I need to be.
Palindrome: I agree! One of the coolest things is when your writing surprises you. :)
Wendy Ramer: Yes! I can't escape the truth of that statement.
Cindy R. Wilson: Hello fellow "now" person! Writing stretches us, doesn't it?
Molly Hall: No, Molly, you are SO not the only one. Keep at it, amiga!
Kristan: I love your fridge metaphor! Your blog is always a great read. :)
Definitely. Giving a manuscript "time" or breathing room is so essential for me. It does really help you step back with a fresh perspective.
It's just hard to do it initially because I just want to finish the thing already! LOL
Jennifer: "Breathing room" is an excellent way to put it. But yes, I wish breathing room didn't take so much time!
I live in the NOW! I hate waiting for things...especially timing;)
I do think that taking a break does help get things in order. It gives us time to think, without the pressure to...think! Does that even make any sense?
If I'm thinking about it, then I'm reluctant to sit on any WIP and give it time. It's when I get so busy that I leave my WIP and then come back to it after some (oh, here it comes) time that things start to fall in to place.
Maybe there's something to the saying after all :]
Alexis: Hey "now" friend. Welcome to the club!
Lydia: Yes, freshness is oh-so important in storytelling.
Lia: I think you're right. *reluctant sigh of acceptance* :) Thanks for visiting!
I definitely believe in taking time away! No matter what, you always come back with a fresh perspective and you can see your novel in a brand new light :)
Hey, Samantha! You won a book over at my blog!
Send me your mailing address and I'll have Eileen send it out. :)
jennifer AT jennifershirk DOT com
WritingNut: Yes, let's let some new light in here. :)
Jennifer Shirk: Thanks, Jennifer! This is my first contest win!
There definitely is something to this taking a time away idea. I've never been very good at it~two weeks tops~but I've found it helps tremendously!
I've heard the brain works to assimilate things even when we don't realize it, so I think giving it the space to do that is important and, ironically, more productive.
I think only with time and a lot of work and thinking problems can get sorted. It's all part of the process. A sucky part, but a part nonetheless!
Heather: Yes, I would much prefer two weeks over two months. :)
Missed Periods: So glad our brains can assimilate while we rest!
Talli Roland: Ah yes, must respect the process. :)
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