instagram facebook rss
March 31, 2010

Revisions! (the musical)

Revisions for The Sheikh hit today, and I will confess, in those first moments reading through alllll of the things that need to be done to the MS, my heart sank somewhere to the vicinity of my stomach and did not settle in well.

However, I am a huge believer in revisions, and the magic of them. So instead of focusing on what I did NOT deliver, or all the work I have to do, I’m going to focus on this: This is my chance to deliver something better.  Maybe even something amazing.

I don’t just want passable. I don’t want ‘good enough’. I don’t want to pass go and collect two hundred dollars. I want to do more. I am contracted now for a decent number of books, so I have some security, but it’s not my goal to rest on that. I owe my readers more than that, I owe my characters more than that.

And as hard as it is to see my weaknesses as a writer, the weaknesses in the MS, put out in front of me in a tangible list, is not an easy thing to face. But having that there, no bias, black and white, that’s what’s going to make me better. Make me dig deeper. And ultimately, isn’t that what we want? Really, it is hard to know you didn’t nail it 100% the first time. But it would be much worse to have all that depth left unexplored.

The essence of my letter is rooted in character, and in the journey that they need take, not just in the relationship, but as individuals. And ultimately, I’m very thankful that I’ve been given the chance, and the help, to really refine the MS and take the characterization deeper.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Revisions are positive. (granted I have teh fear and am a little skeered to look at the email again, but hey, give me a few hours…) But revisions, editorial feedback, are there to make us the best writers we can be, which is really what we should want. It’s not just about getting a pat on the back and an ‘oh, good job, it’s fine’ It’s about taking it to the next level. By performing surgery if need be.

Hand me the machete, I’m going in.


Comments

11 Responses | TrackBack URL | Comments Feed

  1. Hey hon, you can so do it. This is a GREAT story – we haz teh Sheikh love! But as you say, the ed’s comments will make it even better. Remember your comment on my blog? About the professionals always looking to improve? And you ARE a professional. This book was already great, now it’s going to be fantastic with lots of awesome sauce on top. 🙂

  2. LOL – Love the machete comment! Of course you’ll make it better. Good luck and pass the machete when you’re done…

  3. I’m right there with you Maisey. I’ve got the same challenge, and it makes me feel nervous too! But we can do it.

  4. you can do it!

  5. You guys are all the coolest. Thanks and more thanks.

    Jackie, can I have double awesome sauce, or is that 25 cents extra?

    Janette, a machete is required. Will pass over when I’m through if I have not completely dulled the thing.

    Sally and Kerrin, thanks heaps!

    Yeah, Sally, we got this one. 😉

  6. Hearing you Sally and Maisey! But like you Maisey I NEVER want anything out there that is merely okay. Good luck!

  7. So good to hear, Rach! Cuz that ain’t what it’s about. It’s not about one MS, it’s about a career, building a readership. And, I hope, really touching people. I want to entertain, and move and all those great things. And you don’t do that with okay.

  8. Nup, you can have double awesome sauce for free today. Coz the Sheikh is THAT cool.

  9. I’m a revisions lover too! And I also happen to love sheikhs so I for one am glad you’re about to make him great! Rock on, Maisey!

  10. Yeah, revisions are scary, but I’m like you, I love any chance I get to improve my work. Didn’t get the opportunity with my previous publisher, but am looking forward to revisions [with some collywobbles, naturally] as I work on my Harlequin books. 🙂

  11. Jackie, FREE AWESOME SAUCE?? Sweet! I hope it doesn’t turn with all this exposure to the desert sun.

    Maya, I’m so glad to hear you love sheikhs. :-)And revisions. Makes life easier. There’s always that moment when they’re terrifying, but once you get stuck in and you see the GOOD they do…easy to love.

    Portia, collywobbles are a natural part of the process. I have a CP that assures me this is true. Revisions are great, I am the first to tout the power of them. I’ve had major ones for all of my MSs. And that’s why they’re now suitable for public consumption! LOL.

Leave a Comment



Recent Releases


Connect


Browse

Categories

Archives


Latest News

Are you interested in Maisey’s Copper Ridge Series? Check it out here!

For the series order, click here!

Love cowboys? Check out all of Maisey’s cowboy books here.

Want hot billionaires? Look here.

Want to browse by theme? Marriage of convenience, friends to lovers, and more? Look here.

Need a printable book list? Look here!

Newsletter



Connect with Maisey

instagram facebook rss