I finished my novel revision!
Here's what I learned from this round of rewrites.
I did it! My latest novel revision is done. It feels incredible to close out the year this way.
Does that mean the book is completely done? Hell no! But it’s soooo much closer.
I thought it’d be fun to reflect on my progress with you all. I should mention that this is my first *serious* attempt at finishing a novel. I’ve written drafts of novels before, but they haven’t stuck like this one has—and by “stuck,” I mean I’ve been working on this project for almost two years.
Truth be told: I have no idea what I’m doing. But let’s take a look at my timeline for each version of the manuscript so far:
Shitty First Draft: January 2020 - March 2020 (40k words)
Slightly-Less-Shitty Second Draft: March 2020 - May 2020 (89k words)
Revision #1: June 2020 - September 2020 (113k words)
Revision #2: October 2020 - December 2021 (72k words)
As you can see, my first three versions of this book took me a few months to write at a time—a very quick pace. I needed to take a ruthless “don’t look down” approach for my first few drafts in order to trick myself into not being scared of writing. I dove right in, made decisions on the fly, and just tried to get a feel for the story I was trying to tell.
It was also convenient that I’d just finished my first draft when COVID broke out last year—I suddenly had “time like warts on my hands,” as Lorrie Moore once wrote, and thought, Well, might as well keep working on this thing.
But I eventually needed to slow down and take my time.
As you can see, the most recent revision has taken me a year and three months to finish. And I needed every minute of that time to make it happen.
In that time, the book got shorter—41,000 words shorter! And because of that, the story is more crisp. With my first attempts at writing this book, I felt like I had to keep making scenes longer because… novels are long, right?
I started paying attention to my own reading experience, though, and the books I personally enjoy most tend to fall somewhere in the 70-75k word range. Because of that—and because most of this revision, for now, feels like it’s earned its keep—I’m pleased with this new length.
I’m not forcing it to be done, though.
When I was working on this project with Chelsea Hodson in her marvelous Finish What You Start program last year, she encouraged me over and over again to work on the book consistently until it’s done. That’s it. That’s her secret. (Or one of her secrets—you should sign up for her program sometime if you want to hear more of her wisdom.)
Of course I’d love to be able to say with confidence, “The book will be done next year!” But I have no idea. I want to finish, but I don’t want to rush. And leaning into this combination of feelings—the determination to complete this project but to do so on its own timeline—has been the greatest lesson I’ve learned this year.
So what’s next?
I’m taking the rest of the year off from writing. I’m going to bake cookies and reorganize the closets in my house and spend time with family and sleeeeeeep. I’m going to rest. Like, really rest.
And in that time, I’ll be thinking about the book. After all, when you’ve spent almost two years with your characters—people you conjured out of thin air!—you’re bound to think about them. Plus, my book takes place from Thanksgiving to New Year’s, so you better believe I’ll be wool-gathering.
And come January? I’ll be back at my desk. Staying consistent. Making this the best book I can make.
Your Acknowledgments
Since gratitude is always a good look for the year’s end, I asked readers, “If you were penning the acknowledgments section of your book, who would you thank?” Here are their answers:
“My kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Schneider, for giving me my first writing award that sparked a questionably deserved belief in myself as a writer.” —Mara
“My husband for the encouragement, my daughters for the inspiration, and my sister for always reading all the drafts.” —Krystina
“EVERYONE. There’s no limit on gratitude, and I definitely don’t write alone. Ross Gay’s acknowledgements section for Be Holding is an example of what it means to recognize fellow travelers in this writing life.” —Michael
I want to hear from you about your writing process! Would you take a moment over the holidays to fill out my reader questionnaire? I may include your responses in a future issue of the newsletter.
Really Digging This
Here’s what I’ve been reading and loving lately.
Several People Are Typing by Calvin Kasulke — I hadn’t heard of this novel until a newsletter reader recommended it for the Gift Guide issue. (Thanks, Caitlin!) Written entirely through Slack messages, the experimental form of this debut is much more than an experiment. It’s a clever commentary on the ways in which Americans do their work. And it’s funny. So, so funny.
Real Estate: A Living Autobiography by Deborah Levy — I’m late to the Deborah Levy party, but I’m really happy to be here. I adore the unusual combination of frankness and grace with which she writes about her life, jumping from subjects as broad as gender theory to those as narrow as her observations of her banana tree. Excuse me while I now go and read everything she has ever written.
Want more book recs? Visit my affiliate shop at Bookshop.org. Every purchase you make supports this newsletter and indie bookstores!
Your Resolutions for Your Writing
Setting a new year’s resolution for your writing? I have some inspiration for you!
Resolving to start a new writing project in 2022? Check out my New Year, New Writing Project guide.
Yearning to really zero in during your writing time? Read my tips for How to Focus On Your Writing.
Eager to swap your work with a fellow writer for feedback? I’ll show you how to get the ball rolling in my Keys to a Successful Writing Swap.
Hoping to take a writing class? Sign up for my Workshop Newsletter to be among the first to know when my classes are returning! I’m bringing back online and in-person writing workshops in 2022 and would love to work on your writing with you.
I want to hear your resolutions for your writing life! Leave a comment on this issue or in the reader questionnaire to tell me what 2022 holds for your writing.
Tell me about your lonely victories.
“I finished the fourth draft of my first novel after being very stuck after third draft notes. It took months, some crying, and a frantic rush in the last few days before my writing group deadline (thank god for deadlines!) but I completed a restructure and really leaned into the tone I wanted.” —Caitlin
Yay for finishing novel drafts! I hope you’re celebrating, Caitlin. I know I am.
Congrats! So proud.