Remember way back when, before the dinosaurs, I told you I was rewriting my novel? I scattered bread crumbs so you’d know which direction I was heading, secretly hoping you’d join me on the journey.
I got as far as step 4.
Then I stopped posting updates.
The truth is, I got lost. I tried following the expert’s maps, but managed to wind up in a thick, dark forest, bumping from tree to tree, unable to find my way.
I came to the painful realization: I need to take off the blinders. I need to forge my own path. I need to rewrite my novel the only way I know how: through draft after draft. It’s what I do well, drafting. Hopefully I’ll need fewer drafts to see the story take shape. But with each draft, I’ll get closer to discovering my unique craft as a writer.
I can’t write about rewriting, because it’s a path that may lead me to places that aren’t on your agenda. It may lead us both astray, at a dead end gazing at each other, saying, “What now?” My map might not be your map. Where I take the scenic route, you might want to zip down the highway. Where I meander like a snail, you might want to soar like an eagle.
So my advice is to give no advice.
Instead, I’ll rewrite my novel.
I thought I’d send you postcards of my journey as I go, not with the purpose of getting you to join me, but more like, “Hey, this is where I am. What’s the view where you are?”
But then I wouldn’t be rewriting my novel.
I could distract myself by posting squirrelly escapades for your amusement.
But then I wouldn’t be rewriting my novel.
I could make up questions for Dear Digby since NO ONE is submitting any, and then post my squirrelly answers.
But then I wouldn’t be rewriting my novel.
What I’m saying, in a roundabout way, is that I’m going fishing (again). This time, to catch the big one.
The novel.
I’ve got a writing buddy to keep me accountable. I’ve got two short stories in the pipeline to submit to journals, to start building a writer’s platform and attract an agent’s attention.
I don’t know how long I’ll be gone.
But you’ll know when I’m back.
Until next time,
Happy Trails!