My novel revision is due January 15 and it’s the biggest REWRITE I’ve ever done. I’m in hell! Next time I’m going to write a book perfectly from the beginning. 🙃
Needed this, Andrew! I don't actually know if my current draft is working or not - it's not at that stage - but I've discarded three previous drafts already and reading what you wrote here makes that easier to live with. Your example with Victim is one I keep in mind all the time, just in general. Happy holidays to you and yours.
All of this is so relatable! Congratulations on VICTIM getting the love out there. I’ve been working on my novel for (years), have taken it apart and put it back together countless times. I finally know what it’s about and how to tell the story. I’m serializing it here starting in January.
Thank you, Liz! I haven't checked in on it in a long time, but might be time to dust it off soon. I remember loving the concept--especially as I was watching the Bronx rapidly gentrify--but realizing after a while that it was a bit more than I could handle.
You got more guts than I, Andrew. Good for you. When I wrote a debut novel a few years ago I lied to myself every sentence of the way - saying this is good, this is good, keep going. It was not good but I finished it and now I can write (and lie to myself) some more. Keep going, man.
Fantastic post. This should be required reading for anyone who writes a novel. Sincere congratulations on VICTIM- I just pre-ordered. It was cool to read the description after this post and wonder what early versions Javi and Gio were like in DD.
Thanks so much, Matt. I appreciate you reading, and taking a chance on the novel. It was very cool on my end to see how much the characters were able to evolve over time. I feel like I've seen them grow so much haha.
Thank you! I still love it. I love the image of jumping from one social class to another, never having your feet grounded. One agent told me it sounded too childish though, and I was like, you don't know what you're talking about.
they def don’t know what they’re talking about. I hear syncopation and mirroring and collaboration and navigation and precision. double-dutch isn’t easy but when you get it right, it’s like magic. fwiw, I can’t jump or turn (double handed) so I have a lot of reverence for it
every time I tried to jump in I got tangled in the telephone cord haha. but yeah I would love to see it. I read it and immediately thought story collection
I always love your newsletters. This one gave me anxiety like shit. I just couldn’t imagine shelving a whole project. I would combust, but this will stay in my mind for whenever that time comes. Happy Holiday fam! ❤️
I appreciate you! It sucks to get to that decision, but in my experience it always turns out for the best when you know deep down something isn’t hitting. Happy holidays to you and yours!
My novel revision is due January 15 and it’s the biggest REWRITE I’ve ever done. I’m in hell! Next time I’m going to write a book perfectly from the beginning. 🙃
If you crack that code, please share your secret
Also good luck on revisions!
🫡
What a powerful and important self-reflection. It makes me wonder how many pieces of marble Michaelangelo went through before producing David.
Thank you, Dr! And that's a great question. I wish I knew, too.
Needed this, Andrew! I don't actually know if my current draft is working or not - it's not at that stage - but I've discarded three previous drafts already and reading what you wrote here makes that easier to live with. Your example with Victim is one I keep in mind all the time, just in general. Happy holidays to you and yours.
Thanks so much, Cat. Wishing you the best as you figure it all out. Sounds like you are already on the right path
All of this is so relatable! Congratulations on VICTIM getting the love out there. I’ve been working on my novel for (years), have taken it apart and put it back together countless times. I finally know what it’s about and how to tell the story. I’m serializing it here starting in January.
Congrats! It's a wonderful feeling when things finally start to click. Thank you for your kind words, too
Lol that sci-fi tho. I hope you do resurrect that one day!
Thank you, Liz! I haven't checked in on it in a long time, but might be time to dust it off soon. I remember loving the concept--especially as I was watching the Bronx rapidly gentrify--but realizing after a while that it was a bit more than I could handle.
You got more guts than I, Andrew. Good for you. When I wrote a debut novel a few years ago I lied to myself every sentence of the way - saying this is good, this is good, keep going. It was not good but I finished it and now I can write (and lie to myself) some more. Keep going, man.
Those lies are necessary some times! I've done a lot of that myself. Sometimes it's the only way you can finish a draft. Thanks for reading
Fantastic post. This should be required reading for anyone who writes a novel. Sincere congratulations on VICTIM- I just pre-ordered. It was cool to read the description after this post and wonder what early versions Javi and Gio were like in DD.
Thanks so much, Matt. I appreciate you reading, and taking a chance on the novel. It was very cool on my end to see how much the characters were able to evolve over time. I feel like I've seen them grow so much haha.
THIS.
also double dutch is an elite book name, pls keep that in the clip for a future thing
Thank you! I still love it. I love the image of jumping from one social class to another, never having your feet grounded. One agent told me it sounded too childish though, and I was like, you don't know what you're talking about.
they def don’t know what they’re talking about. I hear syncopation and mirroring and collaboration and navigation and precision. double-dutch isn’t easy but when you get it right, it’s like magic. fwiw, I can’t jump or turn (double handed) so I have a lot of reverence for it
Exactly. Also, I'm right there with you. I was mad wack. I held the ropes from time to time.
every time I tried to jump in I got tangled in the telephone cord haha. but yeah I would love to see it. I read it and immediately thought story collection
Thank you for this.
Thank you for reading Robert!
I always love your newsletters. This one gave me anxiety like shit. I just couldn’t imagine shelving a whole project. I would combust, but this will stay in my mind for whenever that time comes. Happy Holiday fam! ❤️
I appreciate you! It sucks to get to that decision, but in my experience it always turns out for the best when you know deep down something isn’t hitting. Happy holidays to you and yours!
Feel ya. Took me 15 years to get my YA novel out. Almost never a fast experience. Unless you're Emma Cline or someone like that.