Yes, it’s a busy day here at Mystery Writing is Murder. For those of you who are just joining me, I have a post below this one that persuades you that asparagus would be an excellent vegetable for you to revisit. My post also addresses a problem I’ve had with rereading an old manuscript that I haven’t worked on for 5 months (and which is due to be submitted in November.)
Today I’m being interviewed over at Sharon’s Garden of Book Reviews . Sharon, who reviews books on her blog as well as for various newspapers, is a freelance entertainment journalist who has been reviewing books for 14 years and has over 1500 reviews to her credit.
Sharon is kicking off a Cozy Mystery Week today and one commenter will be picked to win a mystery gift basket. It could be you! :) (Is my smattering of advertising experience showing?)
Hope y’all will pop on over for a visit.
And now…..I have found for me the perfect solution to the rereading the old manuscript conundrum. And I have the lovely and talented Jane Kennedy Sutton to thank for it. She suggested that I pretend the manuscript isn’t mine.
The genius is in the simplicity of this plan.
There are no highlighters involved. No picking apart.
I’m already 60% done with the re-read.
Pretending is what writers do best!
Jane Kennedy Sutton rocks!
Pretending the manuscript isn’t yours is a good idea. I’mma gonna try that when I begin the revision process of my WIP.
Lovely interview, and I agree that JKS´s advice was great.
Elizabeth, thanks for letting me know the idea helped. I’m not sure I could take my own advice, but I’m glad it worked for you. Now I’m off to read the interview.
I say have some chocolate or another yummy reward waiting for when you get done. If you are going to pretend you’re someone else to read through the manuscript then keep on pretending that the treat is healthy and good for you.
Thank you, Elizabeth, for being such an outstanding interview! Can’t wait for the next book!!
Interesting idea! Does that mean you go easier on yourself or harder?? I’m revising today, too, so I’ll give it a whirl.
Jack–It works surprisingly well. But then, I’m one of those people who can trick myself by setting a clock earlier than it actually is (so I can arrive at events even earlier than I already do.) I wonder what this says about me!
Shonna–I think I’m giving myself more of a break. I’m doing the quick read-through, getting a sense of the project again, then I’ll get brutal later.
Dorte–Thanks so much!
Janel–What a great idea! I can think of many things I can pretend with. This could be start of a beautiful friendship with the other person I’m pretending to be. :)
Sharon–Thanks so much to you for having me! :)
Thanks for sharing Jane’s suggestion; it’s an interesting one and a great way to attack the work!
You’re on your way…good luck with the rest!
That is a brilliant solution to reading one’s own work. Good luck with the deadlines! You are definitely an inspiration to fellow writers.
I like Jane’s suggestion – she has lots of great ideas! I think if you read through the eyes of a reader you will get a better idea of how the book is going to read for your audience.
Nancy, from Realms of Thought…
Kathleen–It’s amazing how well the approach works. I’m distancing myself from it and reading it objectively for the first time.
Chary–Thanks! And thanks so much for stopping by.
Nancy–I’m also discovering I didn’t put *enough* back story in there for a reader new to the series. Amazing what putting myself in a reader role does for you.