Comments on: Performance Anxiety

By: MissM

MissM — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:32:41 +0000

Yah I don’t even have an office, so even worse! Like today, my boss is gone. I’m his EA so if he’s gone, I kind of don’t have a lot to do. I could totally pump something out (maybe) but it’s so. quiet. in here!

By: Meg

Meg — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:37:07 +0000

*Going through, rather than “doing through.” That would be weird. hehe :)

By: Meg

Meg — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:36:38 +0000

Oh, I can so relate to what you’re doing through! :) I have my own office and, in between projects, often find myself — um — contemplating typing up just a few scenes. But because I also type fast, I’m often asked by passersby what I’m working on so feverishly! I guess this should be a good lesson in just closing the door? :)

Good luck as you continue to edit! The magic is in the editing, that’s for sure. But it can be a serious headache.

By: MissM

MissM — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 16:44:18 +0000

Thanks for commenting! I love the Commentluv plugin on your blog so I incorporated it into mine. I’m going to look up EverNote– i could use it. I carry a pad and pen around, but.. I just haven’t picked up the art of actually writing things down.

By: Emily

Emily — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 16:22:35 +0000

I run into this same problem at work also, especially when things are slow, like they are now. You might want to check out Evernote- that’s what has kept me sane lately. I can quickly jot down all my notes and ideas in rough form in Evernote on my desktop, then it syncs online and with your home computer version of Evernote. It helps me preserve the idea that I have at an inconvenient moment for reminders later when I do actually have time to work on it. You can also download it for your BB!
/not an Evernote commercial, promise.
OTOH, your blog looks fantastic! First visit of many to come.
.-= Emily´s last blog ..Zebra Stripes =-.

By: MissM

MissM — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 15:37:02 +0000

Yep, that’s exactly it. I get a skeleton of the story, chapter, whatever down on paper. It’s easier for me to delete/change/move than it is for me to invent the original draft, so I just get it down on (proverbial) paper.

Then I take a break. Eat a sandwich. Watch a show. Read a book. Play with my blog.

Then once I’ve sort of removed myself from the material, I read through and add the meat–action, emotion, description, conflict. Try to read it from my reader’s perspective and guage their reaction to this or that and ‘fix it’ if I think the reaction won’t be what I’m going for.

Even with blogging, days later I’ll read something I wrote and think ‘man I should have phrased that differently, and I could have added X, or moved that paragraph, it might have sounded better.

I’ve determined I like the sound of my own voice, so to speak. I read myself a lot lot. Lol. Mostly just to make sure I don’t sound like an ass.

By: LizzB

LizzB — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 15:32:20 +0000

What sort of editing do you find yourself doing (aside from corrections)? Just changing up or adding words and phrases? Or do you get a skeleton on paper and and the meat to it?

By: MissM

MissM — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 15:18:23 +0000

*nods* That’s where the magic is! Thanks for commenting, and I got your friend request on Goodreads! \o/ That site is such a guilty pleasure.

By: Brenda

Brenda — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 15:13:52 +0000

So true! Anyone can write, but you do have to go back and edit and add, and make it real. I do that. Just write what is in my head and then go back and edit.

Off to do that now.