Once again, this is not a typical blogpost. I'm still on deadline--a new one!
I did not realize before I became published is there's not just one deadline per book. There's the deadline to turn in your unedited manuscript. It's followed by a deadline to turn in a completely revised manuscript (completed two weeks ago). And now I'm on a deadline to approve edits to that revised manuscript and add in whole new sentences and paragraphs to clarify points. I've got one week to go through 370 pages--a feat I'm not sure I can accomplish. There will be a deadline later for me to look at the copy edit, with only very minimal alterations allowed, and another chance to look at bound galleys for errors.
Does this sound like creative, inspirational work? You're right, it's not. However, a well-edited book is so satisfactory. It lasts longer in people's minds than the average novel does. And that's what I want to create.
I have illustrated this brief posting with some dog photographs to make up for the lack of content. My dogs, Charlie the Beagle and Daisy the Chorkie, do not approve of deadlines. Sure, I'm around the house more than usual--but I'm parked at a table ignoring them. They disapprove of the attention I'm giving the gray metal box with the funny light on the back. Daisy walks across the laptop sometimes, to prove a point.
Deadlines will be met! I am keeping an eye on the prize and will not let go of my spirits.
I,’m with you in spirit, Sujata. But be sure to walk the dogs in a timely fashion. Walking across the keyboard is bad enough. You don’t want them to become really vindictive.
ReplyDeleteWe've just been through this, including a rewrite of the whole book in about 4 weeks. Gasp. This too will end.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for your next book in your historical fiction set in India. I did a few all-nighters to race through the wonderful Widows of Malabar Hill.
ReplyDeleteAnd I was inspired to google a lot more information about the culture, religious practices, dress and more. (like how a sari is draped differently depending on one's religion or the different inheritance laws, etc.)
Honesty, Sujata, I think this was a terrific post. Your sense of desperate, dedicated concern (especially at Daisy on the verge of a keyboard jaunt) perfectly captured the essence of the experience.
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