This post is for Alex Cavanaugh’s Insecure Writers Support Group (click the link for details on what that means and how to join. You will also find a list of bloggers signed up to the challenge that are worth checking out. The first Wednesday of every month, we all post our thoughts, fears or words of encouragement for fellow writers.
This month’s question: When do you know your story is ready?
I have yet to think a book is ‘ready’, whether it’s a WIP, about-to-be-published, or out there already for years. I always think up ways I could have made it better. With my non-fic, since I update it every few years, I take notes on each book as I use it, collecting ideas for how to improve it on its next edition.
Usually, what dictates when a story is ready has more to do with a deadline or that I fear I’ll throw up if I read it even one more time. If I can’t read it, I can’t edit it, so that sounds like a good time to publish.
I’m going to be out there visiting you-all. There has to be a better method of determining done-ness in a book.
More IWSG articles:
Is NaNoWriMo Important if I Don’t Care About the Word Count?
Should I Continue My Newsletter?
Why do I get so few sales through Google Play?
Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman
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It took me 13 years and 5 or 6 edits to do publish my first novel so I guess I’m one of those people who is never quite ready.😆
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Or you’re a perfectionist! Give me a few more conversations to figure out which…
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Definitely not a perfectionist but a mom, wife, lawyer, a pet owner and all of it takes so much time! I used to get up at 5 a.m. just so I could write a bit. I wrote that novel in 2o minute increments!
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I’ve read about people like you. Me, it takes an hour to re-orient to what’s going on in my novel!
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Haha! I’ll take that as a compliment (I think😉).
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Thanks for visiting my blog. I survived the hurricane and the moving and I am back online obviously, lol.
Juneta @ Writer’s Gambit
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Good job with that, Juneta! I’ve heard it was a challenge.
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Someone said art is never finished, it is only abandoned, or something like that. How very true!
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Oooh I like that–haven’t heard it before. Thanks, Jennifer.
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“Art is never finished, only abandoned.” – Leonardo da Vinci (had to look it up again 🙂 0
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How true! It will never be perfect. Deadlines can be a way of moving ahead, but could be counter-productive because we are talking about creative output. “Will I be embarrassed by putting it out at this stage?”, “will I be able to look my near and dear ones in the eye” is more my process of deciding, though I know imprecise.
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I like that. It’s true, too. I was more gratified by my sister’s excitement about my latest book than any other comments I’d gotten. She, who knows me best, loved it–and that got me through the low days.
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It’s a question for the ages 🙂 I have to force myself to stop the ‘just one more read through’ impulse, because I don’t think I would release a thing!
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Oh me too, Melissa. In fact, I know I wouldn’t.
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i’ve declared each of my books done – at least 4 times each, until i find something else to improve.
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Hehe. And therein lies the question: When do you REALLY know it’s done? I’m a tinkerer too and I realized I would never ever publish if I didn’t just find an end.
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I’ve reached the place where I refuse to read or comment on a critique partners work when I’ve reached the third pass. If I’m working in an advisory position, they can ask away. It’s their money they’re spending.
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Oh yes. I rarely do it on a second pass. Unless, as you say, I’m the beta reader or a coach.
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That’s a tough one. So very many times I’ve done another run through and been glad I didn’t query too many agents with THIS because I can make it so much better. Then I always think it’s done, but later I’ll go through again and keep tweeking it hopefully a little better each time. At some point you’ve just gotta stop, I guess!
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Same here. I think if I wait too long after a final edit before sending it out, my skills change or my focus and then I have a different take on my story. Then, the changes I make aren’t really better or worse, just different.
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Gotcha. I’d also add, of course, after getting loads of feedback from valuable readers. That’s helped a great deal.
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Ha, ha, I’ve never gotten to the point where I’d throw up if I read my book one more time. If I can read through it without wanting to change anything other than nitpicking, it’s done.
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You probably don’t spend a decade or more writing the book. It becomes counter-productive and the only thing that forces me to push send is when I can’t read it any more!
BTW, this isn’t my current debut novel–it’s one I still won’t have ready until Summer 2018! I need professional help.
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Actually, my first book was almost 30 years in the making. I started writing it as a hobby back in the ’80s. It went through many revisions over the years before reaching its final state. I love the story, and it will always be my favorite.
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I’m amazed. Thanks for telling me that. I feel less alone in my slowness. Which book is that? I want to take a look at it.
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Sorry, I think this comment is out of order, but my first book was Lady, Thy Name Is Trouble. My second book, Trouble By Any Other Name, took quite a few years, as well, because I also worked on that one as a hobby before finally getting serious about my writing in 2014. Lady was published in 2105, and Trouble came out in 2016.
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You just got serious in 2014? You are a hard and fast worker, Lori.
BTW, I have a review of your book coming up Nov. 12th (penciled in). I love what you do.
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Self imposed deadlines are a big help to working to the end. 🙂
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I agree. I find myself more creative as I approach a deadline. Odd.
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I’ve always worked best under pressure, lol. Adrenaline rush? I don’t know. 🙂
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I absolutely need a deadline or I just procrastinate, Jacqui. This is one reason I like entering my stories in awards or competitions because if I don’t force myself to make the deadline, I’m out! 😀
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I hadn’t thought of that. Of course–that is a very positive side of competitions. Good one.
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So funny to read all of the comments. We writers are perfectionists, as we should be. That’s why we get to the point of throwing up our hands and saying “let ‘er rip.” However, I do know writers who never let it go – it’s never “just right.” Unfortunately, then it’s also never read by anyone else but them.
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I have at least one writer friend like that–maybe more. I did notice that there has been a flood of writers in my critique group publishing. It must be the time for rebirth.
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That’s a good measure! I definitely get sick of reading my book over and over and over again. After a while, you just don’t even see the words anymore, I swear!
Stephanie
http://stephie5741.blogspot.com
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Oh that’s true. I suppose that’s why so many say to read it backwards.
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The greatest deadline is death. After doing my best to edit and proofread (and trying to remember I’m not perfect) I have to put stuff out there. In general the positive feedback and useful discussions (even about some negative feedback) make the writing life so joyful. It’s always a scary thing to expose yourself to critics yet there is a freedom in discovering you can handle it–good or bad (and it’s almost never as bad as we imagine).
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Such wise comments, Adrienne. That is exactly how it works (save that negative comments could ever make my life joyful–I’m just not big enough for that).
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I HATE the negative comments, too. LOL–but they’ve caused me to stretch and realize I’m a little stronger than I thought I was. 🙂
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love ‘e, or hate ’em, deadlines are quite useful – especially for us procrastinators!
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I often do my best writing charging for a deadline. I’m definitely a fan of them, just not all the time.
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Hi Jacqui – you make a good point about being able to update our books, articles etc … and when enough is enough – it really is … you seem to be able to pull the shutters down and launch the book forth … and that makes sense. Cheers Hilary
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Oh you make me feel good, Hilary. I’m actually pretty awful about launching books (though I have a friend who’s worse than me). I have three books pretty much done, ready to publish, for several years now. I’m committed to putting these out there so I can move on.
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I know what you mean Jacqui. I’ve gone over some of my short stories so many times now (even with beta readers) that I’ve had enough of them. I’ve made them the best I can – I think it’s up to readers to decide now. It’s good to meet you. 🙂
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I’m going over to your blog to check out your posts. You sound like a kindred spirit.
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That works for me. Actually, I’m too invested so I keep wanting to go back and change things even after the deadline. It’s been a hard learning curve for sure.
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You seem to have a good handle on this, with all the books you’ve published in your series. I bet you’re working on the next one as we speak.
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That’s really interesting that you take notes and update your nonfiction. But it makes sense. Things are always changing and you need to stay current. I also tend to be sick of things at a certain point–and that’s usually when I’m close to being done.
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My nonfiction is technology in education and that has changed dramatically since I put my first book out there. I’m on the 6th edition of my primary series–updated every 2-3 years. Lots of changes!
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I know what you mean but I have been sick of stories, put them away, found them again, tinkered and fallen in love again. Much to my surprise. Not all but one or two. Sigh.
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That fallen in love again part–I agree. I’m working on one like that right now. I realized while I loved the plot, my approach was all wrong. The changes I’m making–I really like them. I hope it works!
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Yes! That fresh new outlook is magic. ❤
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My take on a story’s readiness is also being sick of it– I can’t abide reading my published stories, and possibly have done so only at readings.
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Interesting, innit? I guess because I can always find something wrong with the story, and that depresses me, so my body makes the decision for me.
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Setting a high bar for oneself gives a higher goal for one to strive to attain, but too high might be a detriment for some. I don’t think perfection can ever actually be reached, but it’s something to try for and hopefully not a deterrent to pushing forward.
I like the idea of having a deadline.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
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I notice if I don’t have a deadline, my WIP languishes. For years even.
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Ah yes… deciding a book is ready when you’re sick of reading it one more time. Works surprisingly well, in my opinion. Of course, sometimes putting it aside for a month or two can help, but if it still makes you sick it’s time to publish it.
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Excellent. I especially like “if it still makes you sick, publish it”. Ah yes.
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Deadlines sure can motivate me too. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
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It’s one of the memories of college that kept me from going back. That and tests. Yuck.
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Excellent answer, Jacqui. I do this even with my blog articles. There are blog articles that I update and revise. Why not? No one is perfect.
All the best.
Shalom aleichem,
Patricia
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Oh, me too. I am aghast at the mistakes I make if I don’t review.
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For me it’s usually the point where I end up fiddling with a comma or a semicolon and a full stop, while trying to figure out how each sentence resonates best. What follows that phase is usually me making things worse. That’s when I give up, but I’m never satisfied.
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You and Oscar Wilde (who famously said “I spent all morning putting in a comma and all afternoon taking it out.”) I wonder if Oscar declared his WIP complete when he experienced this.
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Which famous writer said something along the lines, manuscripts are never completed, only abandoned? Whoever it was… spot on! 😉
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The up-chuck measure of readiness….hmmm, not quite sure about that.
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I’m willing to predict, as I read this post throughout the #IWSG blogosphere, that there are as many answers as writers.
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“more to do with a deadline or that I fear I’ll throw up if I read it even one more time.” Ha ha ha ha. I agree. I have a methodology for revising/editing/proofing. When I get to the end of that process, I’ve done everything I can think to do and it’s as ready as I can get it.
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Oooh, do share. Have you posted about it? What do I search on your blog to find it???
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I’ve thought about it, Jacqui, but we are all so individual that I hate to prescribe a methodology. I suppose I could present it as an idea and load it up with caveats 🙂 I’ll come up with something for later this month. Thanks for the push!
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I’d love it. It’s simply sharing your approach for those with whom it resonates. That’s all. And good reading for the rest!
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Yes, I can definitely identify with that feeling of being about to throw up if I read that story one. more. time.
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As I work through my WIP for edits, I can do about three times on a section, then have to move on. I’m OK to start over again when I finish, but those do-overs have a shelf life also. Maybe 20-30 times.
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Oh yes, the throwing up feeling was something I recently experienced, so I hit “SEND.”
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Heehee. I usually approach editing with excitement. I love reading my own story, but eventually, that passes and becomes nausea!
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Agree!
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Your post made me laugh. Deadlines drive me too…it’s an absolute release date of accountability. Thank you 🙂
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I’ve taken to teaching that to my students, too–that life includes deadlines and they might as well get used to it.
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Haha! I hope they are taking your words to heart Jacqui. Thank you for stopping in today 🙂
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‘I fear I’ll throw up if I read it even one more time’ Yep, that sounds like a good time to say enough and finished!!
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Yep. And I do!
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That feeling of wanting to throw up if I have to read a story again usually turns to wanting to torch it 😉
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There are times when that final read-through convinces me I should quit writing. I’d say I went one proof-read too far at that point.
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If only that little voice would speak up before the arsonist awakes 😉
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