Monday, November 05, 2007

I am almost done with my book, so why am I freaking out?

I am terrible with typos. I am trying to catch all of them but out of 93,000 words there might be a few that slip by. All weekend (breaks for meals) I worked on my manuscript.

Friday and Saturday were very frustrating. I woke up at 5:00 a.m. and by 8:00 there was major construction going on. There is a new condo building going up two lots over. Next door my landlord is putting in hardwood floors. All day there was loud banging in that apartment. I think she is having a hard time renting the space out (good!). I know she is asking some outrageous price. I guess she finally realized she had to change the old carpet. People are not that crazy.

The new neighbor upstairs must have 40 lb weights attached to his legs.

Saturday was just awful. I didn't know what to do. I couldn't go to a library because I was reading the ms out loud. It's the first time I have done that cover-to-cover (thank you Walter Mosley for that tip).

If I finish the corrections this week I will start sending it out to agents. I am not "going wide" just testing the waters first to see what kind of feedback I get. I am so worried but feel like it's time. If I don't do it now I am going to put it in a box and never take it out.

This whole process is so subjective. I hope one of the agents will respond to the ms.

To add to the stress of the weekend, my immediate boss and I had a very long talk on Friday about the writers strike. I asked her to please give me at least 30 days notice if they are going to let me go.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Congrats, nyc!! You have reached a place that many of us never get to... something you can put in the hands of an agent. All the very best luck to you!

On the issue of typos, etc., maybe you can ask a few well-chosen, trustworthy friends and family members help you edit. Sometimes ten eyes are better than two.

erin said...

YAY! I'm glad you have completed a milestone. Now just take it day by day and see what comes. You've accomplished a lot.

... In bocca al lupo!

Shelley - At Home in Rome said...

I think the answer to the post's title is "You're freaking out precisely because you're almost done with your book!" It's one of those important moments that maybe seemed like it would never come, so it's exciting yet scary at the same time. You know I have been pulling for you ever since I knew you were working on a book and I am still looking forward to my signed copy.

dmarie said...

Wishing you so much luck!

Typos are tough to catch after reading the same thing so many times--I know this from experience. Friends that can help you edit is a great idea. I've definitely done it for friends.

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

anon - thank you. I just spoke to a well respected reader (someone who is hired by production companies/studios/agencies to read scripts and books for coverage) I know, who is going to do me a big favor and read it this week. She won't have to write coverage on it...just look for typos.

chris & erin - grazie mille

shelley - yes you are right. It is exciting but I am so nervous. I do feel a little better knowing another set of eyes is going to look it before I start submittiing.

dmarie - I agree. I have read this ms so many times I know major parts by heart. I'm glad I decided to have a pair of fresh eyes read it.

Jen said...

Don't even pause - just send the sucker out. And remember, it can be a long process. And that doesn't mean what you have isn't GREAT - as you said, it's very, very subjective. And CONGRATS!

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

jen - thank you. It's going out as soon as I fix the typos.

I have to be patient and not taking any thing personally. Which is not easy.

Anonymous said...

That is awesome about almost being done with the book. When it gets published I'll be one of the first buyers. ;)

Enjoyed all the Toronto blogs too.

Michelle | Bleeding Espresso said...

Hey if you need an extra set of eyes, I got a pair that work most of the time ;)

So sorry to hear of the writers' strike; hopefully it gets resolved soon :(