"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see."
--Henry David Thoreau
What are you looking at? What do you see? Are things moving or not?
Do you ever get so close to your manuscript that you can't see the flaws?
What do you do?
Do you let your manuscript rest?
For how long?
Do you give it to others?
How many?
I find that I really do need to step away from fresh writing. This allows me to forget that I even wrote about it. For my novel that I finished in November, I'm just going to open it up for the first time on March 1. (That may be too long, but we'll see.)
ReplyDeleteI would only send out my ms if its a complete draft. Sending it out too early has stunted me from finishing pieces in the past.
Best wishes with that novel, Mieke!
DeleteI'm hypnotized!
ReplyDeleteI always try to let a ms. rest between big drafts or passes. The break between editorial rounds with my publisher is a blessing.
I usually have about 4 beta readers, give or take.
Sounds reasonable.
DeleteI'm a big believer in taking time away from a ms before returning for revisions -- at least a couple weeks (but I'd bet more time is better, at least for me) -- because I can definitely get too close to it when I'm spending every free hour working on it!
ReplyDeleteI'm getting ready to return to the one I wrote during March Madness 2010!
DeleteDistance not only helps me spot the flaws, but it also helps me find a fresh appreciation for the good stuff. When I can recite the next line--and the next one--I find there is little room for objectivity.
ReplyDeleteRegarding readers, I've had different amounts with various projects. I'm not sure what the magic number is for me.
I hope you have a great week! :)
Love this! "Distance...helps me find a fresh appreciation for the good stuff".
DeleteOh yes and I do all of the above. I let it rest. I give it away to maybe four betas and go from there. Because sometimes I even know there are flaws but I'm so close I just can't pinpoint them.
ReplyDeleteYes indeed.
Delete