October 6, 2007 | Honey Trap
Well, I have finished my first draft, and my agent wants to see the ms when she comes back from Frankfurt. So I’ve got a week to get it into shape.
Yesterday I printed out half of it. I tried to print out the whole thing, but for some reason my printer stopped jobs halfway through and when I started them again, it began all over again on page 1, and I didn’t notice for ages. So I have two copies of the first half of the book. Today I’ll get it together and print the second half on the back of the first half.
Fecklet went to his child minder yesterday so I got through about the first third of the book, editing on paper. I had to cut a lot of the first chapter for pace (always happens). I’m also creating a timeline so I can fix any continuity problems, and making notes about research details to fill in, extra bits I want to add, and the names of characters.
I always forget minor characters’ names as I write, so instead of wasting a lot of time checking I usually either type XXX or I make up a whole new name. In this ms, Irene Martin transformed to Penelope Brandon halfway through, and by the end was Catherine Birkbeck. Don’t ask me how. Often, too, I name several characters the same thing, so I end up with three different Garys or something (for some reason I like to name people Gary).
Usually, too, I’ll try to merge secondary characters if I can in revisions, because it makes everything less confusing.
A lot of the time I know a whole lot more about characters, particularly important secondary characters, by the time I’ve finished the book so a lot of the initial revisions are adding those details nearer the front.
Anyway, I plan to keep on doing my read-through in stolen hours over the weekend (and, as often as possible, in bed because I’ve had not much sleep for the past few weeks).
What are your plans?
Ray-Anne says:
For me, finishing the first draft is like reaching the top of Everest- months, even years of planning, sacrifice, money, sweat and sheer labour have gone into standing at that glorious spot.
You’ve done it and there is nothing like the achievement as you stand there, breathless, and gaze down at the view.
So well done you!
And then you realise that you are only half way there and most of the deaths happen on the way down.
And I completely agree with revising the beginning.
My plans? My garden pond needs replacing. I foresee water garden shops, tape measures and wheelbarrows. And lifting a ton of cobbles.
And thinking about the internal conflict of my heroine as I do it.
Only good times ahead, LOL Ray-Anne
amanda ashby says:
Yay on finishing!! I change my secondary names all the time and while I don’t do xxx, I’m a very big believer in the power of the ‘thingie’ (obviously a very technical writer term!!!!).
Biddy says:
Go you!! You can do it!
Sue says:
Hi Julie, YAYY for finishing! I’m almost dreading Gray & I reaching that point in ours because for some reason he is *very* attached to the glass of orange juice and squashed croissant in the first chapter!
My plans for the next few days are too exciting to mention - although as you’ve asked I’ll tell :-). *Deep breath* (I am sooo excited)…
On Monday we’re off to LONDON (it’s been far too long), and I’m being v. naughty and have squeezed in a last minute hair appointment (10 months overdue!) in Covent Garden which is a stone’s throw from our hotel, which is also a stone’s throw from the Adelphi…which is the current home of LEE MEAD *remembering to breathe* who is my secret version of our hero in our book (although officially we’re using Ioan Gryffydd (sp?)).
If I remember to breathe at the time we’ll be seeing Joseph too, but I keep having a recurring dream that I miss the whole performance because all I can see is LEE in that rather small LOINCLOTH - why did I have to get tickets at the front?!
Okay, I’ve rambled far too much, and I’m getting palpitations *must calm excitement down*, so I’m going back to my hiding place.
Sending you loads of editing vibes for your stolen moments over the weekend.
Love,
Sue
Sally Lawton says:
Congrats on finishing. My printer kept stopping whilst I tried to print my ms the other month, what with paper jams on top I almost threw the thing through the window!!
Sounds like you have a busy weekend planned. I’m writing today and working at the theatre tonight, then driving to Wales to see my family after!
Have a great weekend.
x
CarolC said says:
Congratulations on finishing and enjoy the polishing.
Hubby is away for the weekend so I’m planning evenings of books in bed and girlie films and probably early nights after being exhausted by the toddler during the day.
Marcy says:
It’s interesting to hear your writing process, Julie and that not everything is hashed out ahead of time. Makes me feel heaps better about my own writing process!
We’re celebrating Thanksgiving in Canada this weekend, so it’s turkey, desserts and craft shows for me this weekend…yay! I may even throw a little writing in the mix.
Marcy
Fran says:
my printer, instead of printing out my ms, printed a picture of a man…like they do. think it telling me something. am not having good time, am about as creative as a …see can’t even think of an answer to that. am creativley dead.
but well done you!
Anna Louise Lucia says:
Obcviously a repressed Gary Numan fixation…. you’re only human.
And so is he. Husband knows - he served him once in a shop.
My plans? I’m either going to be in bed with a book, packet of biscuits and a week’s supply of ‘profen and codeine, driving to Durham, doing six months’ worth of work reporting, or making some more progress on my WIP.
Which ever of those I manage to do, I’m going to do INTENSELY…
Fiona says:
6.18am! Oh my God. Forgotten about all those early mornings with babies. Now they wake me up at 6.18am, staggering in from their nocturnal trists.
I love your brilliant ‘First Page’idea. May I suggest it to the Novel Racers - linking back to you, of course?
Julie says:
Ray-Anne, most of the deaths definitely happen on the way down. I like your metaphor.
Good luck with the pond!
Amanda…yes, “thingie”. Whatever you can do a “find and replace” on usually works. XXX and “thingie” both sound a little rude, though, huh?
Biddy, go you too! You can do it!!
Julie says:
Sue, that sounds fantastic! Have a great time and maybe while you’re both so deliriously happy you can persuade Gray to your way of thinking about about the squashed croissant…
Sally, printers are EVIL. Hope you had a good time in Wales.
Carol, my DH is away too but I haven’t managed a girly film yet. Too tired! Hope you’re having a good time.
Julie says:
Marcy, very little of my books are hashed out ahead of time. I really have hardly a clue about what’s going to happen, which is why this first revision for continuity is important–I need to seed in later events, earlier. In this case it hasn’t actually been that bad, mostly because I decided halfway through who the killer was (I had no idea when I started) and have already changed the beginning to fit that.
Happy Thanksgiving to you!
Julie says:
Fran, now THAT sounds like my kind of a printer. I hope it was a good-looking man in a towel.
(((hugs))) for being creatively kaput. Sometimes we just need a break. Don’t beat yourself up, you’ve done loads lately and I hope after a little rest you’re refreshed and inspired.
Julie says:
Anna, as long as it’s not Gary Glitter…*shudder*
You take breaks, you hear?!?
Julie says:
Fiona, yes please, do use my first page challenge and link back. In fact if you wait until Tuesday I’ll join you with the first page of this book and maybe will get the fun of reading everyone else’s?