I know that some manuscripts just don’t work no matter how hard you try. For me, it’s one particular manuscript that I wrote just shy of a year ago. I’m on like version 10. I know some writers talk about doing upwards of 30 drafts. To me, that’s a bit much. It’s not that I don’t believe in the power of revision. Heck, I teach English comp! I just think there are sometimes better ways to use your time.
I was totally focused on this manuscript for quite some time. I refused to work on any other ideas except for it. I feel like I stifled my own creativity due to my being stubborn and forcing the manuscript to work.
So, what’s different now? Two things:
- I’ve taken two writing courses since I last touched this manuscript.
- I made a notebook specifically for it.
The benefits of having taken two writing courses is obvious. I feel better equipped with the notebook that I made. It’s really simple. It’s a 1-inch, 3-ring binder. In it, I have the following:
- All versions of the manuscript
- Lined paper
- Blank paper (for doodling when I’m stuck)
- My list from the last PiBoIdMo Challenge (to see if those ideas inspire some newness)
Will this help me whip my manuscript into shape? I have no idea. But, you’re on this journey with me, and we’ll see what happens.