Monday, January 25, 2016

Simmering Time

I've just finished up revising a draft of a story that I think has the potential I want. It's not there yet, but it's SO much closer than it was.

It was fun going through this draft with notes from some crit buddies with specific goals in mind.

It was also fun coming across some lines/sections that made me smile. It's great when you come across something you'd forgotten about and you're able to think -- hey, that's pretty good stuff you've got there!

Now, I'll let this simmer for a bit while I do the same for another story.

How about you? Do you need that simmering time, or are you able to look at a story right away after you've done one round of revising/editing?

49 comments:

DEZMOND said...

we do love it when we amaze ourselves :) While I'm translating I will often think it is an utter mess, but when I reread it whole in the end it all looks well

JeffO said...

I tend to need simmering time. Otherwise, I tend to gloss over things because I know it too well to read it as thoroughly as it needs. And I absolutely love that feeling you mention. Good luck!

Natalie Aguirre said...

So awesome you finished your draft. That's a great accomplishment. Yes, letting the story sit for awhile can be helpful.

Mason Canyon said...

It's always interesting to go back and revisit something you've wrote and put aside. For me, it's a great way to see a new perspective of it. Good luck on your next story revisit.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Those moments when you go back and think it was really good... and then you wonder who the heck wrote it!

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

I would rather have time to simmer, but I don't seem to these days. :(

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I just finished the first draft of a novel on Saturday when we were snowed in. So I'm in simmering mode too. I also have another book that I'm going to edit before I go back to it.

cleemckenzie said...

I like those moments. "Did I really write that?" Of course, I often also say, "Please tell me I didn't write that."

Jemi Fraser said...

That's a nice feeling!

Jemi Fraser said...

That's exactly the problem I have! Tough to spot the errors

Jemi Fraser said...

I do like the simmering!

Jemi Fraser said...

I'm always looking for that perspective - I'm not good at spotting it independently :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Exactly!!!!

Jemi Fraser said...

I bet! you're a very busy lady!!

Jemi Fraser said...

I try to switch between stories too - helps clear the cobwebs!

Jemi Fraser said...

I definitely have those moments too! :)

klahanie said...

Hey Jemi,

I never read my own stuff. I'd fall asleep from the sheer boredom of it all.

I let the dog do all the simmering. Writing is just a bit of farcical fun, a bit of reflection, a bit of therapy. Nothing more than that for this, um, smug amateur.

I'm going now, eh!

Gary :)

Jemi Fraser said...

And that's exactly the way it should be! I think all writers (smug amateurs or no) find writing therapeutic at some level or another! :)
#arf

Theresa Milstein said...

Congrats on feeling good about some of that writing!

I do both. I often do several read throughs to work on various aspects. But from rough draft to first revisions I take a break. I also take breaks as I wait to see what beta readers have to say and/or to let a manuscript sit after a big revision.

Misha Gerrick said...

Usually I let my story simmer before giving it an editing pass. Then I simmer it again while my CPs read it. And then when I get the critiques back, I read the critiques and let those simmer too. Especially if they're asking for book-wide changes that I'll need to work in.

In short, I simmer a LOT. :-D

Jemi Fraser said...

Yes - those are perfect times for me to take a break as well! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

yes! those critiques are definitely pause times for me as well. I like to let my subconscious handle as much as possible! :)

Shelley Sly said...

Yay, that's awesome that your revisions are going well! I definitely need to give my stories time to simmer. It helps me gain a new perspective on them.

Crystal Collier said...

I didn't used to be able to dive right in, but in recent years (with deadlines) I find it's a necessity. Best to stay on top of things while it's fresh on the brain for me.

Romance Book Haven said...

Hope it turns out all the better for it Jemi.

Denise Covey said...

I think simmering time is crucial. I'm excited to think your story may soon be coming out into the world. When I re-read a manuscript of mine and a section made me cry, I was stoked! Really?

Jemi Fraser said...

Me too! The longer the better :)

Jemi Fraser said...

I'm getting better at needing less time, but I still do better with at least a couple of months :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Me too :P

Jemi Fraser said...

That's awesome!
I'm hoping they'll be out in a year or so - I want to have a few ready to go!! :)

Stina said...

I'm currently editing one book that I finished the first draft a year ago. After I finished writing it, I was too busy with my book deals to edit it. It had a very nice vacation. Even sent me a postcard or too. lol

Beth said...

I always appreciate having time to put a manuscript away and let it rest before editing!

DMS said...

I feel impatient waiting for the ms to simmer, but I do try to wait a while before editing (mostly because my co-author, Stephanie, tells me we have to wait) so I can look at everything with fresh eyes. I do love when I forget about certain lines or when things happens so I can be surprised. :)

Happy editing and simmering!
~Jess

Anonymous said...

I always put one manuscript away and pull out another, taking turns with them as one simmers.

Jemi Fraser said...

I bet that postcard had all kinds of editing tips for you! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks!
Sounds like you and Stephanie have a great system!

Jemi Fraser said...

That system works for me as well! Love having 2 stories on the go :)

Romance Reader said...

Shimmering time is definitely needed.

Jemi Fraser said...

For me too! :)

Misha Gerrick said...

I always let my WiPs simmer after every draft and every editing pass.

Best of luck with edits!

WritingNut said...

Jemi! How ArE you??? It's been forever and a million days! I've just returned to the blogosphere after 4 years... yes, 4 years. I hope you remember me!

I'm so glad to see you still active on here, and thrilled about your edits coming along.

I always need some times away from my MS to come back to it with fresh eyes :)

Theresa Milstein said...

How is the revision feeling now?

cleemckenzie said...

Guess if we do it enough we'll come up with some decent stories. Let's hope so. :-)

Jemi Fraser said...

Me too! It's the only way I can clear my memory a bit!

Jemi Fraser said...

So nice to see you again!!!! :)
I do remember you - and I'm glad you're out and about again - off to see you at your place!

Jemi Fraser said...

It's coming along! The hero's pov sections are much stronger than the heroine's though - so I've got my work cut out for me! :)

Michelle Wallace said...

Congrats on those revisions.
Having more than one project going is a good way to keep busy and look at it this way, you'll never be bored!

Crystal Collier said...

At least a couple. If not a year. The more time the better, but sometimes we don't have that luxury.

Jemi Fraser said...

I do that! It's awesome to be able to switch as needed! :)