Mama Diaries

Tuesday, June 1, 2021

IWSG Post

 


The Insecure Writer's Support Group question of the month is, "How long do you let a first draft sit before you revisit it and make revisions? And is it related to how many books you have under your belt?"

I honestly don't have a specific time I let first drafts sit. Generally, I start writing something new and work on that for a while before even thinking about the most recently completed first draft. I want to forget what I wrote as much as possible. Then I can truly look at it with fresh eyes. And no, it really doesn't depend on how many books I have written. With Bubba and Squirt's Big Dig to China, I waited 6 years before looking at it again. I had written three books before I came back to it.

What about you? How long do you wait to redo the first draft?


Here's a recent puppy picture of Klaus. He's so adorable, but definitely a high-maintenance bundle of trouble! (For those who may have missed the last post, yes, the wall behind him is his handiwork. He likes to chew!) 




  

39 comments:

  1. Klaus looks like he's at that awkward age, where he hasn't quite gotten the hang of all his limbs. Middle school/teenage kind of. He must be fun to have around, though.

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    1. He's a trip and a half. And that tongue is hilarious!

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  2. Klaus is so cute. I never thought of starting something new while I'm waiting to revise a different first draft, but it sounds like a great idea.

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    1. It helps me clear my head. Probably works for some, but not everyone.

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  3. That's no puppy!
    Long time for a first draft to sit.

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  4. How cute is Klaus. Looking at those paws he still has a lot of growing to do.

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    1. It seems like he grows a little more each day.

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  5. I sit on my hands and not allow myself to even *glance* after first drafting-- for TWO WEEKS minimum. If I have other revisions or projects, it can be as long as a couple of months. The longer, the better. but it takes self-restraint.

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  6. Klaus is so adorable! Asher just turned five months. I'm not sure if this is a male GSD thing or what, but Asher always has his tongue hanging out of his mouth, too! My female GSD doesn't do that. #shrugs

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    1. Klaus is about that old. Schultz didn't have his tongue sticking out like that all the time. Only when he was hot. Klaus is a real character!

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  7. Hi, Sherry!

    I'm happy to see you, dear friend!

    I'm left-brained and linear. Therefore, whenever I start a draft or any other type of project, it suits me better to see it through to completion rather than setting it aside for a period of time and jumping into something else.

    Thanks for showing us a recent picture of that young rascal Klaus. That tongue of his would make Gene Simmons envious. :) I hope you bought him some chew toys so that he leaves the walls and furnishings alone.

    Enjoy the rest of your week, dear friend Sherry!

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    1. Klaus has lots of chew toys. But he still keeps finding other things to chew.

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  8. They are the craziest dog breed for sure.

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  9. Awww, cute puppy!!

    I think your set-aside system would work better for me if I were a faster writer. Seeing that it's been 8 years working on my current WIP, some of the chapters have had a long time to sit.

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    1. 8 years is a long time. Hope it gets published!

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  10. Glad you went back to Bubba’s story. Klaus is more adorable with each photo you share.

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    1. He's definitely a cute dog. I've never seen a dog jump as high as him. Sometimes he jumps so high, he ends up falling onto his side. Crazy!

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  11. Klaus is getting big! 6 years! I'm glad you went back! Big Hugs Sherry!

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    1. It'll be interesting to see just how big Klaus gets.

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  12. I spend a lot of time editing as I write- and am trying to speed that up more. Then I put the chapters away and go back when I am all done with the whole first draft to start editing with fresher eyes.

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    1. If you can edit with fresh eyes, it works so much better!

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  13. My best wishes to you, very cute your puppy

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  14. Hi Sherry!
    Good to see this new pic.
    Love.

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  15. As so much of what I write isn't book-length and has to be ready in a short period of time, I'm lucky to have 24 hours from the first draft to the final project.... Klaus looks goofy and wonderful and I bet is a joy to have around.

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    1. Having deadlines certainly makes it difficult!

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  16. Replies
    1. Hard to believe a few months ago he could be cradled in my arms!

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