Wednesday, June 2, 2021

This month the IWSG asks writers to reveal the amount of time they let a manuscript rest before going back to do edits.


Hello everyone. It is June and that means Pride month. Maybe things will look more normal going forward (I'm sure hoping so). Being the first Wednesday of the month, it is also time for the Insecure Writer's Support Group. If you haven't heard of this and have somehow come across my blog post, please go here and give it a look. But allow me to answer a few questions you may have about it.

What is its purpose? Well, to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

When do we post? The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting! Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post. And please be sure your avatar links back to your blog! Otherwise, when you leave a comment, people can't find you to comment back.

The Twitter handle for the Insecure Writer's Support Group is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.

Remember, the question is optional!

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?

I shelve my typical draft about six months. Sometimes longer. But in the past I usually tried to let it age six months. You'd be surprised at how many things pop out at you after that time. For me, it helps spot spelling errors that are inevitable in a long manuscript. But it also allows me to sit back and think about things quite a bit to make sure I accomplished what I set out to do.

Please be sure to visit the co-hosts for the IWSG, and thank you for coming. The awesome co-hosts for the June 2 posting of the IWSG are J Lenni Dorner, Sarah Foster, Natalie Aguirre, Lee Lowery, and Rachna Chhabria!

5 comments:

  1. I know I should wait longer but I usually don't.

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  2. I only wait a few days for a first pass with most of mine. But a lot of them I'll put into an omnibus later on so then it's months later, which does help to spot more things. Not that my readers really give a crap about that, but I do.

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  3. I'm impressed that you can wait for six months before revising. I know I couldn't wait that long.

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  4. I've found that by changing the format those typos pop out easier. There's a print screen that I use. But, six months sounds like a good time for the manuscript to marinate for other things as well.

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  5. Six months? WOW. Nope,can't do it

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