Comments on: Perfectly Natural Loathing

By: David L. McAfee

David L. McAfee — Thu, 28 May 2009 17:34:41 +0000

Wow. I am glad I read this. I thought it was just me.

I get this feeling about halfway through a project and I start second guessing the whole shebang. I’m in this stage right now with a book I already know will see print because my publisher wants it.

Thanks for posting about this (and those who replied with similar thoughts), puts my mind at ease in a big way. Now I can hit the mss tonight and beat the crap out of my keybaord.

By: Erin

Erin — Thu, 28 May 2009 01:41:19 +0000

This really isn’t related to this post, but I couldn’t find anything in your archives and was curious what kind of research you did with the Jill Kismet series and Strange Angels (which I just picked up and am really enjoying). Did you create a lot of the demons yourself or did you use old mythology or legends that were out there?

By: Barb Hendee

Barb Hendee — Wed, 27 May 2009 22:55:22 +0000

Unfortunately, I go through this phase at the worst possible time–once it’s too late.

I will work and work and revise and revise a manuscript before the deadline. Moments before I send it to my editor, I have a euphoric experience that lasts for several hours.

“I’m brilliant! This is the best thing I’ve ever written! I should have my bottom bronzed for posterity!”

I send off the manuscript with great glee.

This begins to fade slightly before I go to bed. The next day, for some reason, I will always take another look at the manucript I’ve already sent off, and my stomach begins to tighten.

“Oh . . . my . . . God. Did I really send this off? This is terrible! This is the worst thing I’ve ever done. Oh my God!”

This happens almost every time.

By: Jess

Jess — Wed, 27 May 2009 18:36:03 +0000

I get two episodes of hate too – at the major “this character is changed, no going back!” moments of the book – a third through and two-thirds through, probably because I like my characters to start, and change is scary for all of us. But I KNOW that happens, so I just keep plugging along. Never having experienced page proofs (yet), I can’t say.

By: Nina Merrill

Nina Merrill — Wed, 27 May 2009 18:33:11 +0000

BOOK HATE!!!!

I have it too. But it eventually goes away.

By: elysabeth

elysabeth — Wed, 27 May 2009 18:04:55 +0000

I completely agree with both of you guys. I’m using my WIP as a cup holder at the moment. I have 20 pages left to ‘red pen’ edit and then put them back into the computer version. Which I will print out… again… and read… again… and then if I don’t nuke it into orbit I may send out the damn thing to a lit agent like I’ve said I would. I’ve already started another project, completely in the opposite direction as this one because I’m so tired of this…thing already.
I’m rambly. Again, I agree. I think hating your work is part of the process of writing it and letting it go.