I was excited when my notes arrived. I’ve
always preferred the revising/re-drafting stage to the first draft stage –
there’s something about chopping a story into pieces and putting it back
together that’s utterly satisfying.
And I was awed by my editor’s insight. Her ideas about how to make the book
better, bigger, are incredible.
But I have to admit, I was apprehensive
too. Although my agent and I have always worked on revisions together, this was
editing on a whole ‘nother level. And for the first time ever, I was on a proper deadline. Would I actually be able to do
this?
Thankfully, now I’m a few weeks away from seeing
sunlight again, I’ve realised that what seemed like a frighteningly huge task
back in November wasn’t so huge (or frightening) after-all. This is in large part thanks to
my Revisions Cave Survival Kit, which I've assembled along the way.
Here’s what’s inside:
Coloured pens
These are essential for note-making,
highlighting sections of the manuscript according to what needs doing to them,
and also because, well, any excuse to buy stationery is a good one,
right?
Music
I have to have music on when I write. It helps get
me shut myself off from the distractions of the outside
world. And yes, I am one of those authors who makes playlists for their WIPs - I’ll post ACID’s here soon!
Coffee
When I was a kid, I used to wonder what on
earth my parents were talking about when they said they could ‘feel coffee
working’. Now I know. Until I’ve had my first cup of the day, getting the words
out feels like pushing porridge through muslin. Afterwards, it can still feel like that… but that’s usually
fixed by making a second cup. Or a third. Or…
 |
| Brain fuel |
Books
Although I’m a fast reader, I’ve not had as much time to read while I’ve been in the Revisions Cave. As a result, my TBR
pile is reaching dangerously wobbly proportions. However, I'm still trying to fit it in where I can. Reading other people’s books reminds me
of my own passion for writing when I’m having a difficult day, and helps me
relax afterwards.
 |
| My actual TBR pile |
Fluffy socks
I always get cold feet when I’m sitting down
for any period of time, which makes it hard to concentrate, so these are a
must. Also: a hot water bottle.
The Hound
There’s nothing quite like a Hound walk
when the words are going slow, or I’m stuck on a particular plot point. Or any
other activity that’s not related to writing. Not thinking about my book is often the best way to solve something
I’m stuck on. I usually find that once I’ve stopped stressing about an idea and
trying to force it to appear, my subconscious mind, which has been working
furiously behind the scenes the whole time, taps me on the shoulder and hands
me the answer.
 |
| Also, The Hound does this face when you say 'Walk'… how could anyone resist! |
Sleep
I’d love to be one of those writers who can
pull an all-nighter working on their book and be able to feel vaguely human the
following day. Unfortunately, I’m not one of those writers. I can work late
into the night if I have to, but usually spend the next twenty-four hours with
my brain feeling like an overstretched elastic band. So I try not to do it.
Much.
Other writers
This has been the biggest help of all.
Hearing about other authors’ experiences of being in the Revisions Cave has
made me realise I’m not alone; that just because my editor’s picked up on
things I know I should have seen for
myself doesn’t mean my book’s awful, and
that everyone else has porridge-through-muslin days too. Whether it’s chatting
on Twitter, talking to my fellow 2013 debut-ers over at The Lucky 13s or
reading the many other excellent author blogs that are out there about the process (just google 'Revisions Cave' and you'll see what I mean), I’ve come to realise that this is a great place to be.
So, do you have Revisions Cave survival kit?
What’s in there?
I never thought about a Revision Cave Kit. I just have 'stuff'. I always write my first draft on a little netbook so I can wander about - write some sitting on the sofa, some at the kitchen table etc - but then it's into my 'office' (a grand word for a tiny box room), surrounded by books (and my children's shoes)where the first draft goes onto the big screen to be edited and formatted. There's always a printed stage, of course, because words look very different on paper. Hot water bottle's a must at this time of year 'cos it gets cold in here, and coffee and toast (peanut butter) must be handy. I have no hound to walk, but I do have a punching bag and weights in the garage when needed! As for music? Not for me. I like music, but when I write I like it to be . . . silent. I love peace.
ReplyDeleteMmm, peanut butter on toast. I might have to add that to my kit! I did our spare room up as an 'office' but it's so cold (2 outside walls, and one faces north) that I gave up and decamped to the living room. Even a hot water bottle couldn't make it bearable!
DeleteDitto on pretty much everything except the hound! I'm right there with you. Coffee, music, fluffy socks and all. Good luck on the next few weeks of revisions!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ryan - you too!
DeleteI wish I had a Hound in my cave! I could really use one. I normally hate socks, but I've been wearing them nearly every day since I started revising, so I think you might have something there...
ReplyDeleteFor me, the essentials are silence, warmth, and lack of internet--sort of like an actual cave.
I think the socks have magic powers. My MIL bought me some special thermal ones and I always seem to get more done when I'm wearing them.
DeleteAnd I hear ya on the lack of internet… maybe I need to add that to my kit too so I don't spend as much time procrastinating with Twitter and blogs!
Hehe the pic of the hound is just amazing and didn't load on my phone so just seeing this now, hehe cute!!!
ReplyDeleteIt is! He has such a great smile when he's excited about anything. And he ALWAYS gets excited about his walks! :D
DeleteI love the idea of a revisions cave and a survival kit. I think my revisions cave is the same as my writing cave and my blogging cave and my ideas cave, and I have almost all the same bits, which include: laptop, paper, a pen, glass of water (continually refilled), phone (just because) and the hound... that's more or less it. Like you, I do have to have fluffy socks (cold feet) and fluffy slippers. I have the coloured highlighters for revisions too... ooh, and a de-caf cuppa, at some point during the day - that's a must!
ReplyDeleteYes, my Revisions Cave is also my First Draft Cave, Blogging Cave and Ideas Cave… it's a multi-purpose space if ever there was one!
DeleteThank you for this. And yes - I have a Revisions Cave, and most of the components resemble yours. Though I have no hound - that is replaced by a granddaughter who asks me to play from time to time. Which is wonderful - it takes me into a completely different brain-place, and also reminds me why writing is important (for me - because it's an essential part of being me; and for her - to show her that you can carry on playing all your life, and sometimes that playing involves words).
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jo. That's a wonderful way to put it! Yes, you *can* keep playing all your life, and more to the point, you should. That's why I love writing so much, and what makes it fun even on days when the words are hard going.
DeleteI think I have a few things I can borrow from your kit. My revision cave has music, colored pens, notebooks, hot tea or hot chocolate, a binder and the loveseat.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid of revision and I've been doing nothing but writing a first draft after another. This year though things will be different. I want to revise at least 2 of my drafts.
Thanks for sharing your survival kit :)
You're welcome, Akoss. Your kit sounds perfect. Can I borrow the hot chocolate for mine? :) And good luck with your revisions!
DeleteBeing on the other side of the world, my revisions cave involves a hundred pack of those tube shaped icy poles (or popsicles, as the Americans would say), and a fan! You're so right, though--from finding your inspiration and rest in reading other people's books, to heading out with the hound.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Amie! It's about 3º outside right now, so I'm very jealous of your popsicles and your fan!
ReplyDelete