I'm working on my manuscript, the eighth version. I don't hate it, but right now, LOVE seems a word too good for this relationship I have with my 100K+ words on paper. I guess every good love story is doomed to be complicated :)
"The most comforting thing—and yes there is something comforting about this—is that I hate it all uniformly. Every sentence. Equally. And that blanket hate tells me that I’m having a feeling about the process, not the actual words on the page."
Also, I’ve heard from my authors that reading the book from the back to the front helps you see it with fresh eyes (for final errors/edits) and also maybe hate it a little less.
Thanks for sharing! I’m having a hard time even in the beginning editing phases because I’m so bored of my book. Same thoughts. Same feelings. But this is inspiration to KEEP GOING! 🙏
Ugh thank you!! This is my debut and I’ve been writing for SO LONG that sometimes I look at it and just think “why” and that’s followed by a hundred different criticisms about everything to do with the prose. Meanwhile a week later I might read a chapter and go “wow, this is way better than I thought!” 🤦♀️
It’s a very good reminder that this is somewhat normal and I’m not (probably) as horrible a writer as I feel in these moments!
Good luck Kate, both with the book and the feelings! Thank you for being so honest and vulnerable in this post, too. That takes courage.
I haven't read the book so I can't comment on that, but as a fairly long-time reader of your newsletter/blog, I can assure you that you are a very good writer - not even in the running for "worst writer in the world!"
(Also, your agent and publisher will probably be really annoyed if you give your own book a 1-star review, so I really hope the feeling do pass.)
I think I know what you mean, to a certain extent. I finished my first novel in September 2023 (yay!). I edited it and sent it to a few beta readers, then revised some more with their feedback. I've sent tons of query letters with no luck, unfortunately. Took a Writer's Digest class where the literary agent commented on the first ten pages, so redid that. She also said I should write it in third and not first person, so I rewrote it that way. Then I didn't like it, so I put it back. Now I don't know if I'm coming or going....I can't decide if it's any good or not because I'm just so tired of it. LOL I hope that it's just that, and not reality setting in. ;-) Since I haven't had any offers of representation, I tend to lean toward thinking it's not as good as I thought it seemed when I finished initial revisions.
Love this— "Just remember that feelings are not facts. You aren’t, in truth, the worst writer in the whole world." It's a keeper. Perfect for my wall of encouragement. Thanks, Kate. xoxo
Thanks for sharing your feelings throughout this entire process. We attend webinars, read how-to books, and study everything we can about publishing and its exacting process, but nothing compares to your real-time experiences. I can't wait to have those experiences myself. Someday.
Personally, I don't think it's hate. It's a lot of things: being tired of it all, fear of judgment, and more of the things you named. Feelings aren't facts, but they do lead us to deep truths and deserve careful unraveling. I've experienced 'ugh' after spending too much time with my own work, and had an experience of dread, and never wanting to see the thing again, after a book published. All of it held information for me. Best wishes with your continued publication process. -from a writer who is an advocate for letting all the feels in! That's how it slowly shifts.
I get it. I've been working on an MG since 2019 and am still revising it.
I'm working on my manuscript, the eighth version. I don't hate it, but right now, LOVE seems a word too good for this relationship I have with my 100K+ words on paper. I guess every good love story is doomed to be complicated :)
Perfect timing for this, Kate! Thank you for helping me sort through all the emotions. There are many!
"The most comforting thing—and yes there is something comforting about this—is that I hate it all uniformly. Every sentence. Equally. And that blanket hate tells me that I’m having a feeling about the process, not the actual words on the page."
That is so wise!
HAPPENS. EVERY. TIME. 😂😂😂
EVERY TIME!!!!!
I love your honesty!
Congrats, you’re an author! 😉
Also, I’ve heard from my authors that reading the book from the back to the front helps you see it with fresh eyes (for final errors/edits) and also maybe hate it a little less.
Thanks for sharing! I’m having a hard time even in the beginning editing phases because I’m so bored of my book. Same thoughts. Same feelings. But this is inspiration to KEEP GOING! 🙏
That was great. I would guess most creators feel this near the end of a work, and your articulation of it sums it up perfectly.
Ugh thank you!! This is my debut and I’ve been writing for SO LONG that sometimes I look at it and just think “why” and that’s followed by a hundred different criticisms about everything to do with the prose. Meanwhile a week later I might read a chapter and go “wow, this is way better than I thought!” 🤦♀️
It’s a very good reminder that this is somewhat normal and I’m not (probably) as horrible a writer as I feel in these moments!
Good luck Kate, both with the book and the feelings! Thank you for being so honest and vulnerable in this post, too. That takes courage.
I haven't read the book so I can't comment on that, but as a fairly long-time reader of your newsletter/blog, I can assure you that you are a very good writer - not even in the running for "worst writer in the world!"
(Also, your agent and publisher will probably be really annoyed if you give your own book a 1-star review, so I really hope the feeling do pass.)
Thank you for sharing your experience with us! I appreciate your honesty and openness in sharing.
I think I know what you mean, to a certain extent. I finished my first novel in September 2023 (yay!). I edited it and sent it to a few beta readers, then revised some more with their feedback. I've sent tons of query letters with no luck, unfortunately. Took a Writer's Digest class where the literary agent commented on the first ten pages, so redid that. She also said I should write it in third and not first person, so I rewrote it that way. Then I didn't like it, so I put it back. Now I don't know if I'm coming or going....I can't decide if it's any good or not because I'm just so tired of it. LOL I hope that it's just that, and not reality setting in. ;-) Since I haven't had any offers of representation, I tend to lean toward thinking it's not as good as I thought it seemed when I finished initial revisions.
Love this— "Just remember that feelings are not facts. You aren’t, in truth, the worst writer in the whole world." It's a keeper. Perfect for my wall of encouragement. Thanks, Kate. xoxo
Thanks for sharing your feelings throughout this entire process. We attend webinars, read how-to books, and study everything we can about publishing and its exacting process, but nothing compares to your real-time experiences. I can't wait to have those experiences myself. Someday.
Personally, I don't think it's hate. It's a lot of things: being tired of it all, fear of judgment, and more of the things you named. Feelings aren't facts, but they do lead us to deep truths and deserve careful unraveling. I've experienced 'ugh' after spending too much time with my own work, and had an experience of dread, and never wanting to see the thing again, after a book published. All of it held information for me. Best wishes with your continued publication process. -from a writer who is an advocate for letting all the feels in! That's how it slowly shifts.