Since I’ve gone “quiet” (disengaged from Social Media, pressed pause on Substack to concentrate on my novel), enough people have reached out to make sure I’m still breathing, that I thought a quick update might be in order.
Finally got a moment to enjoy this latest post. I love it - the wit and the wisdom of it all! And, the Sex and the City closet cleaning / dress up clip - classic. I miss that guilty pleasure of a show! Glad you took some time out of your social media hiatus to share!
Right there with you, sister. Just got my draft back from a first reader. Instead of cleaning out the closet, I need to bring in a few delightful gems. Not sure if this will be easier or harder than eliminating the unnecessary.
So! You are learning to kill your darlings. Well done, and what a delight it was to read this piece, Diana! Glad you're making progress with your novel and learning so much about the letting-go part. I still have difficulty with that. So I've given myself a safety net by saving all my cuts to a different file. Sometimes there's the kernel of a new story in those. Or maybe an idea that can be better expressed elsewhere.
And I really love your self-deprecating humor. Swizzle stick? Strutting your stuff in the bathroom mirror? Wonderful. Thanks also for the links, especially the Ira Glass. He's a gem. Onward, my friend!
Giggles....swizzle stick indeed! Those were the days...sigh....
As for killing my darlings, I didn't fully understand what that meant until I began working on this draft. It wasn't until an agent said: "I really like this part--but this other part--not so much." And still I was hanging on for dear life until a great editor said: Diana: LET. IT. GO. (But she said it in a way that I could finally "hear" it.) And I suppose I could FINALLY hear it because I knew she loved the book and wanted the best for it. (It only took me 1000 years to get to this place.)
As for the safety net--absolutely, my friend. (Whatever it takes!) I've got all those prior versions organized in a separate file--it's how I appease myself...but I'm guessing I'll probably never open those old files again.
Letting go...and Ira...he IS a gem. Best to you, and Happy Spring!
Love this one. Your wit and wisdom has never been so apparent!
Oh, thanks Lovey! So nice to hear from you...sending you hugs and buckets of love...xoxox
I remember your first, first draft so long ago. You are a born writer, bright and talented enough to bring your heart and soul to the world.
You can't begin to realize (or maybe you can!) how much this comment means. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. 💜💜💜
Finally got a moment to enjoy this latest post. I love it - the wit and the wisdom of it all! And, the Sex and the City closet cleaning / dress up clip - classic. I miss that guilty pleasure of a show! Glad you took some time out of your social media hiatus to share!
Thank you! And as always--thank you SO much for reading and commenting...I miss that "guilty pleasure" too...Like, a lot. 💜
Right there with you, sister. Just got my draft back from a first reader. Instead of cleaning out the closet, I need to bring in a few delightful gems. Not sure if this will be easier or harder than eliminating the unnecessary.
I’ll be sending you “Good Revision Vibes” through the ether!
So! You are learning to kill your darlings. Well done, and what a delight it was to read this piece, Diana! Glad you're making progress with your novel and learning so much about the letting-go part. I still have difficulty with that. So I've given myself a safety net by saving all my cuts to a different file. Sometimes there's the kernel of a new story in those. Or maybe an idea that can be better expressed elsewhere.
And I really love your self-deprecating humor. Swizzle stick? Strutting your stuff in the bathroom mirror? Wonderful. Thanks also for the links, especially the Ira Glass. He's a gem. Onward, my friend!
Giggles....swizzle stick indeed! Those were the days...sigh....
As for killing my darlings, I didn't fully understand what that meant until I began working on this draft. It wasn't until an agent said: "I really like this part--but this other part--not so much." And still I was hanging on for dear life until a great editor said: Diana: LET. IT. GO. (But she said it in a way that I could finally "hear" it.) And I suppose I could FINALLY hear it because I knew she loved the book and wanted the best for it. (It only took me 1000 years to get to this place.)
As for the safety net--absolutely, my friend. (Whatever it takes!) I've got all those prior versions organized in a separate file--it's how I appease myself...but I'm guessing I'll probably never open those old files again.
Letting go...and Ira...he IS a gem. Best to you, and Happy Spring!
Oooooh how I can relate to parting with shoes :) Love this! So in awe of your writing!
Thank you! For this comment--and everything else--all the good--you bring into my life! 💜💜
I ADORE this piece! Brilliant and so true. Love how much you're learning and sharing with us. Restacking!
Thank you! And I adore YOU for having been with me Every. Single. Step. Along the way! 💜