PARTAY TIME- Or: Revise-a-thon round 2

Good morning!

So Lindsey and I are BACK to give our darling manuscripts a little TLC. The last time that we did this, I was trying to finish up Act 2 of this draft (draft 3). This time around, I’m finishing up Act 3.

I hope.

So, what does this translate to? Well, I know I’m making some big cuts to a scene that currently goes on WAY too long and is MOSTLY unnecessary, so I’ll need to tweak it to where I talk about what MATTERS and edit it to make it ~flow. I’ll be killing lots of darlings and cutting other scenes that no longer work with the ending that needs to happen.

And now that I’m really LOOKING/thinking about what is left to REWRITE in this draft, I don’t think it’s 3 chapters like I’m been saying. I think it’s 2. Maybe. It might even be ONE long one. Perhaps an epilogue?

We will just have to see.

Now I’m going to get dressed. Because honestly, I feel like I can’t concentrate when I write in my PJs.

(Side note: I also know that I’m going to be taking either a lunch or dinner break, as a friend is in town, so I will just WATCH WHAT HAPPENS)

(Side side note: Newsies is in my head today so I took the opportunity to poorly work in that line)

And of course… we’re live-blogging

11:28 AM: Draft stands at 71,198 words. I’ve also just learned it’s a NaNoWriMo writing marathon day, so we chose our day well.

12:48 PM: I have allowed myself to get distracted multiple times. But now I am dressed, fed, watered, and I have priced out Newsies tickets for BEA, so NO MORE DISTRACTIONS (until lunch/dinner plans). On to SRS BSNS. 71,198 words.

1:36 PM: 1 scene down– trimmed and expanded in different places. And now for the one that needs SUCH MAJOR TRIMMING. Not a lot of progress thus far, but… it’s still SOME progress! 71,327 words. 1 scene. 0 chapters.

2:52 PM: I’m not really sure if this scene is coming across as stilted. It is supposed to have a lot of tension, but I think this is one that I’m just going to have to see what the CPs think. Regardless another scene down, with some cutting and some expanding! 71,233. 2 scenes. 0 chapters

4:08 PM: Mildly concerned that I am letting my own penchant for jokes in serious situations break up some tension, but come on, I just can’t bring myself to cut all of my lines like this:

“Listen to me,” she breathed into his ear. “And don’t react.”

His hand clenched around hers. “Ow. You’re reacting. Just… waltz, all right?”

70,818 words. 3 scenes. 0 chapters.

4:24 PM: Same status, but now LOLing at this random sentence because I forgot that this was a thing I initially wanted to have happen:

Bree had run into her during one of her baking escapades in her early days at the castle.

Self, when would she have had time for baking? Just… LAWL.

5:14 PM: I MUST DEPART FOR DINNER. Draft is currently at 70,805 words. I’ve revised 4 scenes and 1 chapter. I think my earlier goals of finishing this Act must, as usual, be amended. I always aim just a little too high. But I think that shooting for another chapter after dinner is reasonable

Edit, Monday 4 PM: OH HEY, REMEMBER THAT TIME WHEN INTERACTING WITH PEOPLE MADE ME SO TIRED THAT I WAS IN BED BY 9:30 PM ON A SATURDAY?

…yeah.

Anyway, obviously I am still working. And I lament the fact that I always aim too high with these “a-thons,” but I sense that the END IS NEAR and I’d like to wrap Apparent up.

Soon…

Soon.