Draft two is done, and it has been sent away through the ether to my bow-tie-wearing editor in New York, who will hopefully like it and tell me so in generous language. Draft two is 17,000 words shorter than draft one. I was aiming for 20,000 words shorter, but that's still pretty good. And. . . it's not like I *cut* those words. Really, it was more like I cut out about half the book and then rewrote it from scratch. This was a much much bigger revision than I have done before, because Silksinger has been a tricky, tricky book from the beginning, but I think I have done it. I think this draft comes close to being what I want. I think I love it.
I feel weirdly empty and slack now, though, and all moody and surly. Why? I don't know. It will help when some eyeballs have read it and [hopefully] liked it. Certainly, that will help. I've been in this book so long it's hard to see it. I'm going to make some copies for a few kid readers, one of whom is my best friend's 10-year-old niece Miriam, who is the world's best and fastest kid reader, and another one is the darling, darling 10-year-old, Owen, whose father runs a literary festival and whose mother owns a chocolate shop and who swooned at my feet when he came to hear me do a reading. (Love those two kids.) And my parents haven't peeked at the book at all yet, and are anxious to. Jim has read a little more than half and today I will release the rest to him. It's always a tense moment, because of course when you finally give your manuscript to readers -- especially a reader you live with, you want them to fall into it, be unable to tear their eyes away, not get sleepy, love every single word. . . etc, and you want to hear them laugh from the next room, and you want to spy on them reading it, and if they get a perplexed look on their face, or smile, or look sad, you want to say, "What? What? What part are you reading now?"
Jim's very good. He laughs and cries and tells me nice things, and he hugs me a lot when I'm mopey, and he genuinely thinks I'm the best writer in the world. (He also thinks I have a better butt than Angelina Jolie, so, you know, he's kind of biased!) Oh, and he helps me make my action scenes better. (Thanks, sweetie. Mwah.)
Which brings me to the PRIZE mentioned above. . . Well. . . more of a prize PACK, really. Here it is: If you are interested in reading Silksinger shazam-fast and giving me feedback, then I will give you a copy of the fabulous audiobook of Blackbringer read by the marvelous Davina Porter, PLUS some Laini's Ladies goodies, such as a box of adorable post-its for use in your feedback-giving! (Have you noticed that this is kind of a trick? That it's. . . work? Shhh. . . don't tell anyone.) Are you interested? If so, email me [hotdiggity@comcast.net] and let me know. In the subject line put: PRIZE PACK OF WORK. I will put names into a hat and draw one at random.
Okay, I think I will go wash my hair, and then maybe step outside. I must be vitamin-D-deprived. Is vitamin D the sunlight vitamin? I have a deep craving to be in a forest.
And then, there's thoughts -- always -- of the next book. . .
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15 comments:
I LOVED what you've shown me thus far (70,000+ words, yes?) -- even better than Blackbringer (and that, my dear, wasn't something I thought possible!).
And Angelina Jolie's butt? Please, you know it's no contest (i.e.- you win!)
XOXO,
Husbles
Well, I will respectfully butt out of the above debate, but we can't wait to see Silksinger. Or to hear the audio of Blackbringer. Miriam had such a wonderful time in Portland. The journal cover looks great. Of course, we all loved the pink wig pictures.
Now you must go for a long walk in the woods.
Congrats on finishing this part. I'm sure Tim will love it!
Miriam will definitely give you supreme feedback, like an editor three times her age, or even fifty times her age. Remember her consulting on my office? Did you forget that I read the original SS with feedback that was really outstanding, revolutionary even? And when I get through with this next draft you will want to rewrite it all over again with a wave of recommendations that will be truly specially ridiculous.
Congratulations, Laini! Walking in a forest sounds like a great way to reward yourself for all your hard work.
Actually, walking in a forest, followed by a celebratory cupcake or piece of pie, sounds even better...
However you celebrate your accomplishment - enjoy!
Laini, thanks to bluepoppy, I learned of you a while back and have quietly peeked into your entertaining abode regularly ever since. I understand that you want feedback, but do you really NEED it? Forgive the presumptuousness here. Why not wait for your editor's notes, take a well-deserved break, roam in the forest, and smile with tremendous satisfaction because you have already accomplished something brilliant. Cheers!
Sent you an e-mail. It sounds very fan-girlish (my e-mail, not your book). And I don't know if you wanted more info, but I am a college student, not a 13-year-old, and I'm not sure if that will count against me or not... ;)
Please see maniacal emails. Then block me from sending emails ever again. I may have seen this post too late. Boo.
I just saw your comment on my blog-- Quite honestly, I am glad by the time I made it over here your draft was complete! I was feeling a little guilty that you were commenting on my pathetic little lament, rather than writing. Secretly though, I loved it. Yay for finishing and yay for encouraging words. Thanks!
Already wrote the e-mail...please disregard the flagrant use of exclamation points ;)
And you're right, Vitamin D IS the sunlight vitamin, so soak it in!
Congratulations times a million on getting all that work done. Yay Laini!
Congratulations! I hope you've spent your day outside...you certainly earned it.
Love to you,
D.
Wahoo!
Hurray for you and for Silksinger! I'd love to read it, and I have a husband and a nine-year-old daughter who would too. So hurray for your contest too. When I'm edgy, I like to go outside and get dirty. Have fun!
I would love to read your book, but I hardly think I'm worthy of making comments when I haven't even written a book myself. Hope you took that walk in the woods ... and stay away from the wolves. Breath deeply while you wait.
Yay! I'm so excited for you and can't wait to read it!
The fact that he thinks so and tells you is wonderful!
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