In the process of editing your book, it is normal that
you will become tired of it, frustrated, even despairing. And then if you’re
really lucky, you may hit the “I hate this book” stage of writing burnout. This
usually happens right during the copyediting stage. You don’t care about that
comma because you want to light the whole book on fire. You aren’t sure if you
ever want to write again, but if you do, it will be nothing ever like this
book.
I suppose that in some sense, this may be healthy
because once the book is printed, there’s nothing you can do about it anymore.
You may need some emotional distance because reviews will be coming in, both
professional and not, and if they hate the book, some part of you may be able
to nod and think—they’re not entirely wrong about that. Of course, you can’t
say that out loud to anyone. Ever. Or even given the slightest hint about
hating your book that is now on sale and the publisher expects you to promote.
But amongst writer friends, you can vent about this. You may be surprised at
how many authors also admit that they hate their book.
Some of the reasons you hate your book:
1. You’ve
read it too many times and you can’t read a single word one single more time.
2. You
started writing it when you were someone else and it doesn’t really reflect who
you are anymore.
3. You
see too many flaws and can’t figure out the way to fix them.
4. You
are just sick and tired of this world, these characters and their problems, and
wish they would all go to hell.
5. You
are jaded because of the publishing process. It may have taken ten years AFTER
the contract was signed before the book was published. You may have gone
through multiple illustrators (if you’re working in picture books), multiple
editors, even multiple publishers. It’s not the book’s fault, but all you can
think about when you think about the book is all that angst.
6. The
language isn’t what you want it to be, but you don’t know how to make it what
you want it to be right now.
7. It’s
not a good time in your life. There are sometimes outside factors that affect
your relationship to your book, and even if they don’t cause writer’s block,
they can make you hate everything you write.
8. Being
a writer under deadline hasn’t turned out to be what you thought it would be.
You just need more TIME to get it right.
9. You
have nightmares of every person you’ve ever met and told you wanted to be a
writer reading this and seeing every flaw in your personality, your character,
and your education in it. They’re never going to read it and think that you
made good on your promise.
10. The
book jumped the shark. You don’t know where it did or how to go back to a draft
before that moment, but it doesn’t matter because you just have to finish it
and get on to the next book.
11. It’s
not this book you hate, it’s the fact that you soon have to be working on the
sequel to this book, which will require you to work around all the impossible
problems you didn’t solve in this one. And somehow get them right.
Writing isn’t for the
faint of heart. It’s a Herculean task, carrying a whole world of words on your
shoulders. My salute to you if you are in this difficult place! And any time
you need to talk about it behind the scenes, I’ll be there.
Ohhhman all that I know how to say is “I speak Spanish– a little” and “are you american?”
I’LL GET THERE
I wrote a big long post explaining my latest mopey streak but then deleted it because… it was really long. Short version:
May is hard because my dad died five years ago on May 26th. It sucked. It still sucks. But things are slowly getting better.
I’m all sorts of worked up about my health because I gained more weight for no apparent reason, and it’s freaking me out even though I know it’s part of the monthly cycle and will be gone in a few days, just like that.
High stress, high paranoia, high ANGER levels. GAB SMASH, then curl up on the couch and cry because she is FOREVER ALONE.
New doctor next week. I’m afraid he’ll be a jerk like other doctor’s I’ve had, but if I can just get him to find me a lymphedema specialist, I’ll be happy. It’d be nice if he gave me more ambien, too.
If not I will fight him. Literally. Or verbally. IDK.
Good things:
I rejoined weight watchers (online) because I can finally afford it again.
I’ve started learning Spanish because it bothers me that I can’t help more people that I meet on the train. It’s fun so far, even if my accent is terrible.
I’m pretty darn excited about San Diego. I have the silly idea of finding a bakery there to make us a (REALLY) tiny wedding cake. There was so much that we wanted to do for our wedding but couldn’t afford to at the time.
I think that’s it.
Detectives of the East for Hazel.
I think I was thinking Bruce Timm while drawing this…
I honestly have no clue at all. o__o I just reached over and drew her while waiting for indesign to export a file at work.
Mopey as all get out today despite all of the good going around. I will be scarce, but I have ordered Chinese so it will be okay. Here is something I drew for the meantime.
Our ten-year wedding anniversary is this fall and though we wanted to do Disneyland, we have come up with an alternate plan that will work. Excited.
What can you guys tell me about San Diego?
OH, you asked for it. SAN DIEGO = my dad’s childhood home and the only big city I would ever consider living in, if it weren’t so expensive. It’s California’s best city!
I’m more familiar with the Point Loma/Mission Beach area, so your mileage may vary. Here are some great places to visit:
Fun and free:
The BEACHES, particularly on Coronado Island. There are also Ocean Beach and Dog Beach on the west side of Point Loma, if you prefer a more hippy, small beach town feel. Very crowded, though. Coronado is much more spacious. If you want to try surfing, go to Tourmaline (Pacific Beach) in the early morning. WEAR A WETSUIT OR YOU WILL WISH YOU WERE DEAD.
Sunset Cliffs State Park (Point Loma) is a lovely place to take a walk in late afternoon, as it faces the sunset. Also, awesome tidepools.
Balboa Park’s arboretum and rose gardens (Downtown)
Old Town State Park, right near the intersection of I-5 and I-8 (also has the Mormon Battalion Visitor’s Center)
Coronado Island also has the historic Hotel Del Coronado, which was in
the movie “Some Like It Hot”. It’s too expensive to stay in, but lovely
to visit and look around. It’s right on the beach!
The San Diego Temple (La Jolla). Truly one of a kind, it sits like a spectacular vision right on I-5. Definitely see it at night! 🙂
Fun but requires $$$:
Balboa Park (Downtown) has a lot of GREAT museums, a replica of the Old Globe Theater, and one of the BEST ZOOS IN AMERICA. Visiting that zoo is a whole day in itself!
Seaport Village (Downtown) is a cute shopping village on the water (fee for parking, they validate if you buy something)
The Maritime Museum (Downtown) has several awesome boats you can tour, including the Star of India (which still sails!!!), a Russian nuclear sub, and the actual ship used in “Master & Commander”. There is also a flipping AIRCRAFT CARRIER down the street, for a separate fee.
Sea World
San Diego Safari Park, further inland in Escondido
There’s something called Belmont Park (Mission Bay, west of Sea World) with an old-fashioned wooden roller coaster, but I’ve never been there myself.
Westfield Horton Plaza in the Downtown area, and Westfield Mission Valley in Mission Hills (eastbound on I-8). LOTS of shopping.
Birch Aquarium (La Jolla): SEAHORSES
Cabrillo National Monument (Point Loma) has a great view of ALL of San
Diego, and the historic Point Loma lighthouse. You have to get on
Catalina Blvd. and drive south forever, right through the military base
until you get to the park entrance. A bit of a drive, and there is a
small park entrance fee, but it is WELL worth it.
Good eats:
POINT LOMA SEAFOOD (FOREVERRRRRR!!!!!!)
A little Mexican restaurant called Nati’s in the Ocean Beach neighborhood (my grandparents’ favorite)
Just about anything in Old Town
Just about anything Mexican or seafood, really.
Tip: Have a REALLY good map and review it before you start. Driving in San Diego is a hazardous experience. There are twisty roads and crazy turnoffs and you could find yourself circling around and around without a clue as to how you get out!
Basically, San Diego is the best and I love it forever and I love you for going there. 😉
Thank you! ! ! ! This is so helpful!
‘Cause I’m a forgetful bunny, here is more, with actual links this time:
It’s Point Loma Seafoods. (Or Seafood’s? Their website uses both.) I’ve been saying it wrong my whole life, apparently?
If you LOVE soup, go eat at Souplantation! It’s the same chain as Sweet Tomatoes (there’s one in Utah??? HOW DID I NOT KNOW THIS???). It’s right next door to a stationery shop called Just For The Halibut. LOL
Check out Mission San Diego de Alcalá! For good and bad, the missions were such a big part of California history. And they’re beautiful!
For a fabulous supermarket experience, try Vallarta Supermarket! SO MUCH GOOD FOOD
I can’t offer much info on hotels, since I always stayed with family. But I think the general rule is that things get cheaper the further inland you go.
You can also try a Trolley Tour! I’ve never done it, but I’ve heard it’s fun!
If you REALLY want to go crazy, take the ferry to Catalina! Catalina is PARADISE. I haven’t been there since I was a kid, but OH MY GOSH.
FORGET DISNEYLAND. GO TO SAN DIEGO. DO IT. YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO.
I did a terrible job of telling you how awesome Old Town is, so I found this video for you:
