I’ve spent the past three weeks revising short stories, and I’m getting cranky about it. I realized this morning that I’m cranky because I need to write something new. Revision is good and necessary. Revision can be fun. Revision can even produce a deep sense of satisfaction when it’s done. But when takes too long, it can get boring and frustrating. I need a break, and I need one soon.
The story I’m revising now is so close, though, that I think it would be counterproductive to pause. I’ll finish it–this week, I think–before I do anything else. But before I start to revise anything else, I need to create something new.
2 responses so far ↓
1 Terry Odell // Feb 16, 2010 at 8:57 am
I think that’s why we write — because we have to. I’m stuck with two completed but unsold manuscripts and one with my editor for first edits.
I don’t know where I want to go next — of course, the fact that we’re totally pulling up stakes and moving cross country in 2 weeks, and I have 2 conferences — one on either side of moving day — isn’t helping the cranky/stress level.
See you at SleuthFest?
2 Sam // Feb 16, 2010 at 5:22 pm
I will be there, barring calamity.
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