It’s 2015, a brand new year, but one thing remains the same: Wednesday is time for What’s Up Wednesday is a weekly themed post for readers and writers, so y’all know what I’ve been up to and I find out what you’ve been working on! It was created by created by Jaime and Erin.
I can’t believe I’ve been doing What’s Up Wednesday since May 2013. I’ll need to think of a way to celebrate once I hit the one-year mark TWO YEAR MARK WHOA, these posts have been a really fun way of checking in.
What I’m Reading
I started this year with the lovely short read THE LIFE-CHANGING MAGIC OF TIDYING, which is a really inspirational read if you, like me, are somewhat terrible at household tidying. It definitely changed my methods for the better.
That was followed by EVERYTHING THAT REMAINS, another book about tidying but with a focus on the ‘minimalist’/minimal possessions life. It was my first ‘did not finish’ of the year, because the writers came across as awful people.
After that, I read HELLBLAZER: ORIGINAL SINS, the first Constantine comic collection. It was a lot of fun — confusing at times to follow because of panel layout choices, but worth it to experience some bold political satire and some really fun 80s-era cyberpunk. The character is a lot less likeable than the recent NBC/Amazon Prime TV adaption, though — I’d much rather hang out with TV!Constantine.
And now, on to beta reading a rad middle grade book by JB Rockwell.
What I’m Writing
I COMPLETED THE REVISION OF DOOM and oh man. I’m never spending a year on revisions again. 2014 was two rewrites of BROKEN THINGS, and the year before that was two rewrites of DIVIDE THE SKY. Never ever ever again.
I’ve not worked up the nerve to send it to any betas yet, but I’ve moved on to more fun things.
I got the edit letter back for my Fox Spirit “Under the Waves” anthology short story. First edit letter ever, and it was a doddle. I’m really looking forward to reading this anthology.
Next up, I’m off to have fun writing MG novels for a while. I’ve been itching to start drafting these since November so I’m very very excited.
What Works For Me
I’ve written up a bigger post about lessons learned while revising in 2014, but here’s the main thing I’ve learned:
If I have to spend another year doing edits I will be a miserable Emma.
So, the plan to counteract that is simple: write fast drafts. Then reread/rewrite quickly. Then betas. Then redraft again based on beta feedback.
I’ve been following the popular advice about ‘resting’ a manuscript for weeks or months and then editing it with fresh eyes, but it turns out this doesn’t work for me at all. I need to keep up momentum on a project. 2015 will be the year of doing exactly that.
What Else I’ve Been Up To
One of my New Years goals was to play more video games, so to start things off I finished HATOFUL BOYFRIEND… it’s sold as ‘pigeon dating sim’ game but really it’s SO MUCH MORE. It’s insane and heartbreaking and such a well-written game, I loved every minute of it.
After finishing that, I started playing Professor Layton Vs Ace Attorney. So far the 3D is used really well & the witch designs are SO COOL. Looking forward to this!
Fida says
Congrats on finishing the revisions! Good luck with your other writing project!
EMaree says
Thank youuuuu! :D
Jess Gofton says
Congrats on finishing your revisions! That must feel like such a weight off your shoulders. Now you can relax (a little) and enjoy your new projects. :)
I love the Constantine film with Keanu Reeves and yet I’ve never thought to read the original comics – that’s something I should probably do!
Have a great week!
(Oh, and I thought I’d best mention that this May will be 2 years since May 2013, not one. ;) )
EMaree says
OH MY GOSH HOW DID I MISS THAT. Ahaha, thank you for pointing that out! Two years, wooow. It feels so much shorter!
If you enjoyed the Keanu Reeves movie you’ll love the TV Show — different in a few ways, but similar in a lot more.
Emma Adams says
Great job finishing the revision of doom! I’ve found I work best when I fast-draft, then do one self-edit right away, and then send to betas. It’s the reason I’ve been so crazily productive the past few months, because if I leave a project too long then I find it difficult to get back into. Have fun with your MG projects! :)
EMaree says
Oh man, so glad to know a similar way of doing things works for you. If I get anywhere even CLOSE to your level of crazy-impresssive productivity I’ll be a very happy Emma. :D
Majanka says
Oh man, if I had to spend a year working on nothing but revisions, I’d go berserk! I hope 2015 brings lots of new drafts for you, and not that much time in the editing cave. :)
My What’s Up Wednesday post.
EMaree says
It was THE WORST, I don’t recommend it at all.
Jaime Morrow says
Just went to check out that MAGICAL ART OF TIDYING because I think I desperately need some of that in my life. 0_o Congrats on finishing your revision! I’ve been revising (off and on) this one story for what feels like an eternity, so I feel your pain. I agree that stretching it out for so long is crazy-making. Have tons of fun with this MG project! :D
EMaree says
Thank you! I hope you find the book beneficial — I’m not usually a fan of self-help-y stuff but I really loved the methodical and realistic approach it used.
Melanie Crouse says
Editing is exhausting. I completely agree, and resting a manuscript doesn’t work for me either. I love your comments about what you’ve learned about writing. It’s so awesome when we figure out what works for us. Good luck this week!
EMaree says
Thank you Melanie, and good luck to you too!
Miss Cole says
HOORAY FOR FINISHING! Yay! :D
Fast drafts are definitely my preferred method. I spent a year on Colony in total, but I’m hoping I can turn my current project around a bit faster. Time will tell.
I tried to watch Constantine but it didn’t do it for me. Sticking with Arrow and Gotham ;)
Have a brilliant week! Stay safe in all that awful weather y’all are getting.
EMaree says
TEAM FASSSTTT DRAFTT :D It is the best team, especially since I think Emma L Adams *has* to be the team leader.
Wendy Barron says
I need to read that Magical Art of Tidying book, too! (Oddly, the link goes to a book with a different title, and Goodreads doesn’t recognize the title you gave.)
Good luck with your “no rest for the wicked” approach to a project!
EMaree says
Oh man, sorry for messing up the Goodreads link — it’s actually ‘THE LIFE-CHANGING MAGIC OF TIDYING’ and the link is here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22318578-the-life-changing-magic-of-tidying-up?from_search=true
Calling it the ‘No Rest for the Wicked’ approach is SUCH A GOOD IDEA. I maaayyyy have to start using that.
Niki Lenz says
How about you give me editing lessons and I will give you tidying lessons??? Sounds like a plan!
EMaree says
Haha, sounds great! DEAL.
Alison Miller says
Congrats on finishing revisions! I tend to spend way too much time on my revisions too. :) Oh well! Have a great week!
EMaree says
Thank you Alison, you too!