Hey guys, this probably isn't very orginal, but I am currently going out of my freaking mind.
I have recently started the 3rd draft to my first ever story/book. I am happy with the story now, almost, perhaps. So for draft 3 I have basically copied version two in to a new folder and am now in the process of reading every chapter over and over again and fiddling with it, polishing it up, etc. I really don't know if that is the correct way and apologise if it isn't, but the problem I am having is that I keep re-reading the same chapter over and over again, all the while knowing that I am close to the best I can do with it and whilst hoping at the same time that it might almost be done, but something isn't quite right, I can't put my finger on it, but something is missing.
Can anyone please suggest any reading I can do that will help me know what it is I am doing wrong, or what it is I need to do next, as I am finding myself getting really frustrated with it at the moment.
Many thanks for reading this
Take care, but above all, stay cool
Pip
correct way"
There is no 'correct way' per se.
Can anyone please suggest any reading I can do that will help me know what it is I am doing wrong, or what it is I need to do next, as I am finding myself getting really frustrated with it at "
Workshop it. Post the chapters you're not happy with in the workshop, let others review it and then go back and tweak.
Thanks for the advice Matt. I appreciate you help.
Stay cool
I know how you feel, it's just part of what we put ourselves through.
Have you had a friend read it yet? If not, give yourself break and let someone else give you an opinion.
A great little book to get you thinking is: The 38 Most Common Fiction Writing Mistakes
Don't give up
Andy
I agree with having others read it and/or workshopping. Plus, you probably need some distance from it. Reading the same thing over and over will only dull your senses when looking for the missing element. You have to clear your head from time to time and look at it with new eyes (and that's where workshopping it comes in).
time to workshop it. it's hard to see what's missing up close. maybe put it aside for a few weeks and come back at it with fresh eyes?
look at plot, character, setting, dialogue, conflict/resolution—do they all work? does it make sense? do you care?
What also *really* helps is to put it away. Work on something else. Wait for awhile (for a book, I'd say about 4-6 weeks) and then look at it again. You could have the parts you're unsure of up in the workshop while you're waiting as well.
But this "cooling off" period allows you to distance yourself from what you've written, so don't even *think* about your story. When you look at it again, you'll see a lot of opportunity for changes or improvements.
