From 27th April night, we have been in a
lockdown, which has now been extended till 7th June. This lockdown is longer
than the one we had last year, when Covid19 was declared a pandemic. We are
still in the second wave and the doctors are talking of a third wave that will
happen in October-November. I’m counting out this year too. I very much doubt
that normalcy will return anytime soon. I was just telling a friend that I may
become a senior citizen by the time Covid fizzles out.
This time round with the spate of bad news coming at
me from all directions, my writing has gone for a toss. My attention span has
been reduced to just editing my previous
stories. No energy to work on something new.
As IWSG rolled into view, I realized that we are five
months into 2021. IWSG (Insecure Writers Support Group) is an online group of
writers with members from all over the world. IWSG members post on the first
Wednesday of the month, building their posts on the question of the month, some
members post about other aspects of their writing. Do visit the IWSG website,
you will thank me for the wonderful and informative articles on writing that you
will see there.
IWSG was started by Ninja Captain Alex J Cavanaugh author of Amazon Bestsellers: CassaStar, CassaStorm, CassaFire and Dragon of the Stars, with many,
many more on the way. IWSG is the wonderful place all because of Mr Nice, Mr
Generous and Mr Helpful, aka Alex. Ever ready to help other writers find their
place in the sun.
My awesome co-hosts for the June 2 posting of the IWSG are J Lenni Dorner, Sarah Foster, Natalie Aguirre and Lee Lowery.
June 2 question - For how long do you
shelve your first draft, before reading it and re-drafting? Is this dependent
on your writing experience and the number of stories/books under your belt?
For my fantasy novels I usually shelve
the first draft for several days (atleast a week, many times more than that) before re-drafting, so that when I read it
again, I view it with a fresh perspective and with a better insight. But for
the last three books I worked on (all were commissioned by publishers and had a
strict deadline), I had no time whatsoever to leave the first draft aside for a
few days. Infact for one of the books, the second draft started the moment I
completed the first draft. For the other two books, the gap was very much
reduced due to time constraints.
What about you all? How long is your gap between
drafts? Hope all of you have got vaccinated? I got both my shots.
Deadlines will do that to you! They make you jump in quick.
ReplyDeleteVery sorry it's such a mess there.
Thanks for co-hosting today - you rock!
I'm so sorry your piece of the world is in lock-down for possibly the third wave. We are in Mexico and have self-quarantined for over 18 months. It's beginning to feel like the new normal. This too shall pass.
ReplyDeleteThank you for co-hosting this month.
Lynn La Vita @ http://la-vita.us/write/
Thanks for co-hosting, Rachna! I feel your frustration having had to postpone a dream trip to Ireland three times (and #4 isn't looking too good . . .). But being retired, I feel quite at home, having no desire to venture forth now that I don't have to.
ReplyDeleteI ache when I see/hear the news that's coming out of India and other places where COVID is raging. It must be scary and frustrating and it's no wonder your writing has decided to play hooky. Be safe. ((hugs))
ReplyDeleteHang in there, Rachna! Please take care of yourself, not just physically but mentally and emotionally as well.
ReplyDeleteSo happy to hear you are vaccinated. I hope they get the virus under control in India soon. I was in almost total lockdown until the end of April when I was fully vaccinated. It's a relief to see the numbers down here.
ReplyDeleteAnd I like to wait a bit before revising too. Thanks for co-hosting with me.
I'm so sorry for what's happening in India. I wish you well and I hope it's over soon. Thanks for taking time to co-hosting. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteTake care of yourself, it's heartbreaking to see the news from India and no wonder you're having a tough time focusing on writing when the world is falling apart. Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteAlex is definitely the best! What a wonderful space he has created with IWSG!
Kathy--Imagine Today
Oh dear!! Please stay safe and healthy! India and the pandemic is on our nightly news. Take Care.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't been able to write anything new throughout the covid year, so I also went back and re-edited one of my published books.
Thank you for co-hosting.
I have also had to rush revisions to meet deadlines. It's not my favorite way to write, but we make it work, right? @samanthabwriter from
ReplyDeleteBalancing Act
That would stress me out! I need time for the story and needed changes to simmer!
ReplyDeleteWaiting on my 2nd shot now!
I never know how long I'll leave my manuscript before tearing into it. I wish I had a system, so I could be more precise in this business. Systems aren't my strong suit, I'm afraid.
ReplyDeleteWe've heard the stories from India about Covid. So sorry, Rachna. Glad you're vaccinated and healthy.
Vaccinations? Our system is a mess. I won't go into details.
ReplyDeleteI have many short pieces in various stages of what can be called a "first draft"...
Thanks for co-hosting the bloghop this month, Rachna.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteHang in there. We are just coming out of a fourteen month breakdown here in Germany. They are just beginning to open up things. i hope you don't have to stay in lockdown for any length of time.
Take care and have a lovely month of June.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
I've found I no longer need a long resting period between drafts, but I do rely on beta readers in my genre to notice things I haven't--and probably wouldn't, no matter how long I let the manuscript rest. Thanks for co-hosting. I hope your lockdown ends soon.
ReplyDeleteUgh I hope your lockdown ends soon. They are so rough. I'm like you and take several days between to get perspective on my stories. They're so helpful!
ReplyDeleteThanks for cohosting!! *fingers crossed* for covid relief soon!!
Regular job or no, I don't think I could write on a strict deadline. It's one of the reasons I self-publish.
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting.
Thanks for co-hosting, despite your barrage of woes, including re-lockdown. This happened to us in California in 2020 when the Memorial Day weekend sent droves of locals and tourists to the beaches... and the inevitable happened. My husband and I were relieved when the beaches were shrouded in fog this year.
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting, despite your barrage of woes, including re-lockdown. This happened to us in California in 2020 when the Memorial Day weekend sent droves of locals and tourists to the beaches... and the inevitable happened. My husband and I were relieved when the beaches were shrouded in fog this year.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the lockdown! Thank you for co-hosting the blog hop.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry you are back in lockdown! Fingers crossed, that things turn around asap. I usually send out my drafts to my beta readers not long after they're done. I used to have a longer cooling off period, but the more I write, the less I do. And yup- I'm fully vaxed :). Thank you for hosting!
ReplyDeleteInteresting! I would worry about trying to write books back-to-back-to-back. I don't know how I'd do though lots of people do it. I need to check out your books!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with the lockdown. I can't handle strict deadlines. I get way too anxious.
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting!
Rachna, I think of you every time I hear news of how bad covid is in India. You spoke of no energy. For me it was no concentration. That affected the books I chose to read. I turned to very light and fluffy books... and found I loved them! It didn't affect the writing of the new Gracie book coming out this month, but it is affecting the new series I'm working on. It's much lighter and, I hope, filled with more humor.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about the lockdown. Hoping this turns around for you soon.
ReplyDeleteDeadlines definitely dictate a revision schedule. My non-fiction was always on a deadline, so endless revisions were simply not possible. My fiction revisions, though - a turtle in molasses at the North Pole. 🤣
Yes, deadlines don't allow for much waiting or editing. Good luck with everything. Take care of yourself. And thanks for co-hosting today.
ReplyDeleteRe: COVID - I'm so lucky to live in Vancouver, on the West Coast of Canada. Our situation is better than most I know of. I feel sorry for your long lock down, Rachna. Stay healthy.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear this! We have been free for the most part since last May. I love living in Missouri! We even had in person learning for the entire school year. I hoping to draw some inspiration from our historic town this summer. Hopefully, your lock down will not be valid much longer.
ReplyDeleteTerribly sorry to hear about your lockdown. Ugh . . . But thank you for co-hosting!
ReplyDeleteThis year has also been murder on my motivation :( I hope your lockdowns are over soon and you and your loved ones are safe. And good on you for getting some editing done on previously finished work. It's still a step forward! Thanks for co-hosting today.
ReplyDeleteI see deadlines as both a blessing and a curse. Sorry about the lockdown. It's hard to focus through chaos. Hope it's over soon. Thank you for co-hosting!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for the long shutdown. My sister in Australia is experiencing the same thing while desperately waiting for her shots. It is long, slow slog. Thank you for hosting IWSG this month.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry for yet another shutdown. They've opened everything back up fully here. I imagine we'll have another lockdown in the fall, but for now I see conventions and such returning and planning to be in person in the fall. Not sure if that's a mistake or not, since they can lose a ton of money if they have to cancel. I'm glad I no longer have to make those sorts of decisions.
ReplyDeleteI cannot imagine what the lockdown must be like. I sincerely hope you find comfort through writing or some other means! I think a break is always well deserved, but I would be willing to forego one for a publisher for sure!
ReplyDeleteI hope you get lots of happy writing in. Happy IWSG!
ReplyDeleteThat feeling of helplessness with no end in sight makes it difficult to even get out of bed, much less accomplish anything.
ReplyDeleteIf you get tired of editing, maybe try writing some rage filled limericks for stress relief! Very little editing required.
I hope the COVID situation improves in India soon, and that people can (and will) get vaccinated.
Lori (fully vaccinated!)
loribossert.com
Thank you for co-hosting today! I let a WIP sit for a few months before I redraft. Have a few WIPs that's been shelved long-term for years.
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to you and all those living in countries still facing lockdowns. I'm not sure what will happen in the fall in the U.S., but hopefully the vaccines will work and more of them will be distributed worldwide. My sense of time was most affected in 2020. Now it seems focus is the biggest problem. I used to like change, but I sure don't like this kind of change.
ReplyDeleteI wish you all well with the COVID stuff. Personally I'm sick of COVID. I've got both my vaccinations (so I can travel this summer) and here in California they still expect you to wear a useless mask. I'm anxiously looking forward to June 15th when supposedly masks can come off and we can stop acting silly about this COVID. I want my normal back.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
Tossing It Out
I’m so sorry to hear about your renewed and continued lockdown. I hope you are handling it and your family is well.
ReplyDeleteI’m glad we have been able to communicate and keep in touch in other ways! Wishing you well and a quicker return to normal than expected...
Tara Tyler Talks
I'm vaccinated and the mask lift is supposed to happen June 15 (cross your fingers!). Hang in there, Rachna!
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Rachna, for having publishers waiting for your books. Gosh, someday I hope that happens for me. It looks like you're not afraid of revision. After a short time, you jump back in. Bravo! Thanks for co-hosting!
ReplyDeleteThat is such a shame that you are still in lockdown, despite being fully vaccinated. Is everyone else (or the vast majority anyway) getting their shots where you live? If so, the restrictions should lift soon, like in other parts of the world.
ReplyDeleteWriting when so much (negative) is going on proves impossible for me as well. Wishing you some fun with all the editing jobs!
Thank you for co-hosting this month.
Hi Rachna,
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting this week. I usually like to wait a bit of time before I start editing. Since it has been a WHILE since I wrote a first draft, I generally wait a week or so. I generally edit as I go along and almost always reread the chapter or two before I continue on with my work.
Sounds like you are super busy with work and publication. I am so happy that you manage to keep writing during these tough times. Take care and stay safe...
I'm so sorry you're going through another covid wave. I hope you're able to weather it safely. Thanks for cohosting this month.
ReplyDeleteOof. I hope you get to see the light of day sooner than you think. Also, deadlines will mess up that break between drafts, I didn't even think about it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting!
Hi Rachna. Lockdown again. Phew. It's good to have deadlines. When you self publish, you have to set your own and it's very easy to waft around, polishing drafts forever. I've had my first jab (as we call it in Oz).
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ReplyDeleteHi, Rachna! My first drafts depend on how I feel. It can be a week, to a year--depending on how many books I've written between. I am a fast writer, getting back to edit them is like a slushpile to me! lol
DeleteTime constraints are tough and can definitely take away any rest time we may want to give ourselves and our stories.
ReplyDeleteI'm fully vaccinated. :)
The stress of life must sap the creative spirit. You'd think all the quarantining would have left me with all sorts of finished projects, but it didn't. Hopefully we get back to normal and back on track soon.
ReplyDeleteI'm grateful for the vaccine rollout as it seems to be helping in the re-opening process. Being stuck inside with nothing to do has rarely ignited my writerly side.
ReplyDelete