Progress on the Edits...

I think I do my best work under pressure.  I know I did in high school (what I remember of that), in college, and at my normal job when I had one.  I don't like to fail.  Nothing is more motivating to me. 

Today I was able to finalize the edits to the first two chapters of the final section of my novel.  I sliced the novel into thirds to make it manageable.  I thought this section was going to be the easiest, but it's been a rough day for sure. 

I also marked up the edits to several other chapters, so I have work to finish later tonight or tomorrow. 

My kids and my back are telling me it's time to stop for the day.  Right now.  So I clock out.

Handling the Pressure of Critique Groups

Last week I was able to meet with my writing partner.  We powered through each other's chapters in just a couple of hours.  She critiqued nearly 10,000 words of my new novel.  Fantastic!

We plan to get together in two or three weeks to do it again, which is an amazing thing - a gift.

One problem.  I don't have another word written.  Not of this novel at least.  She critiqued it all. 

My impulse is to stop editing my old novel and start working on the new one because I have the opportunity to get it critiqued.  Logically, it would be good to get her feedback on the next chapter while the old chapters are relatively fresh in her mind. 

But I want to keep working on my old novel.  Something in me is not ready to jump back into the new one.  So I didn't write anything the last few days.  I stopped in my tracks. 

I know with complete certainty that she will gladly read anything I bring with me.  It doesn't have to be that novel - and literally cannot be unless I shift gears or get some energy from somewhere.  Outside pressure (which she isn't giving but I feel anyway) doesn't work for me.  I need to want to write or the creative side of me shuts down stubbornly like a two-year-old holding its breath. 

I want to work on my other novel.  I have a need for it to be done.  I need to work on it now....