Editing Block

Editing is hard.  I know that.  After all these years and twelve books out the door, how could I not?  But this manuscript is kicking my ass.

I'm not sure why editing is so hard this time around.  Usually I can look at the edits and the changes pop into my head, bing bang boom.  Now?  I look at the suggested edits and my brain just blanks out.  Which is making me totally not want to sit here struggling for more than a 15-20 minutes at a time.  And 15-20 minutes means like one paragraph.  Blerg.

Between Friday and Saturday, I got page one done.  Sure, the first page is the most important page, but come on.

Yesterday, I bribed myself.  Edit until I wanted to bash my head on the desk and then I was allowed to play one round of my online word game.  Then back to editing.  Do that until I couldn't stand either one, walk away and come back later.  Lather, rinse, repeat.  Off and on, all day. 

And at the end of the day, I had eight pages done.  Out of an almost 300 page manuscript.

It's not the edits.  They're not really any harder than any other book.  There really isn't more pink ink on the pages.  (AWE edits in pink instead of red.  It's cheerier.)  It's totally me.  My brain is farting all over the place right now.  Maybe it's editing block. 

Okay, I admit that I hate editing.  And when I first got the edits, I really didn't want to do them.  But I changed that.  I really did want to edit over the weekend.  It was my plan and the clock is ticking.  I really do want this book to be the best that it can be and the only way to do that is to edit.  But there's some kind of disconnect between wanting to work and being capable of doing it.

So, yeah, I think it's editing block.  I mean, when you want to write but can't, it's called writer's block, so why can't there be editing block, too? 

Today, I will sit here until my eyes bleed.  Do the work, you big, whiny baby.  :whipcrack:  Screw editing block.  Screw the struggle.  Life's a struggle.  Get over it. 

And with that little, personal pep talk, I hope to get at least a couple chapters done today.  Two weeks left until my deadline.  Couple chapters a day should do it. 

What about you?  Ever get editing block?  How do you combat it?  Do you give yourself little 'drill sergeant' style pep talks?

Cheese and Whine and a Pep Talk

There seems to be a case of the blues going around.  Not sure what's behind it all.  I just know that right now, I'd rather be doing anything else than working.  (As proven by how clean my house is and how my personal to-do list is growing exponentially.)

And suddenly everything on TV is a better idea than sitting here working.

And I spent yesterday morning eating EVERYTHING.  (Okay, not everything, but breakfast, lunch, lunch, dessert, snack -- all before noon was a bit much.)

And I spent yesterday afternoon getting ready for my daughter's potential visit.  In six weeks. Which we aren't even certain will happen yet.

And I've decided to paint the bathroom.  Mine. The one that I've talked about painting for the past three years.

Yeah.

Total motivation breakdown.  Wah.

Why, yes, I would like some cheese to go with that whine. 

So, anyway, I got to thinking last night that this is a business.  And if I look at this as a business, then I am the head honcho around here, as well as being the peon.  If I was the head honcho of a business and a peon was walking around grousing about how much work sucks and how I'd rather be doing anything else (and taking naps in the breakroom), I'd kick that peon's lily-white ass.  Or fire her. 

Since I can't fire her.  I decided to kick her in the ass.  Nobody said this would be a freakin' waltz in the wildflowers.  Nobody gives a rat's furry gray butt if I'm in a funk. Nobody's bringing presents to my personal pity party. The work's still got to get done.  Deadlines need to be met.  People are expecting me to meet the deadlines I set.  Readers are expecting me to keep my promise of having this damn book out in May. 

And the next book out in August - because I gave my word.  And the next book out this fall sometime - because I said so.

Ain't got time for no blues.  "Suck it up, buttercup," says CEO me to peon me.

Which is exactly what I started to do.  I'm edited up to page 20 as of the time I wrote this post last night.  (Which doesn't seem like much, but the way I've been feeling, it's huge.)

Oh, the bathroom will still get painted, but this book will release on time, too.  Even if the Kid will be visiting right smack in the middle of prepping for release.  Even if the house turns into a total mess.  I made a commitment.  And if I have to drag my sorry ass into this chair and sit here kvetching over every freakin' edit under my breath, than I will do so because it will mean it's getting done.

It's not over.  Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? No!

Now, who's with me?  Let's Gooooooooooooo!

And if I fall off the wagon, feel free to poke me in the ass.