Revision Hell. No, Seriously. #MyWANA

I started final revisions on a book that's been sitting for about six weeks. It's a Sharlene Gallagher guardian angel mystery. So lots of character, lots of snark, lots of plot.
Revisions are tough. I know they're where the magic happens. I totally get that. For me to revise I have to work in silence. No soundtracks, no distractions. Just me and the book and getting totally pulled into the story...or not.
When the or not happens, I know I've got work to do.
Now I'm staring at chapter four, reading it through, trying to figure out what's causing my disconnect. I took a break, so maybe it's that. Or maybe chapter four sucks rocks.
That leads me to Oh God, chapter four sucks, five sucks, it all sucks. I'm a hack. I don't know what I'm thinking. Writer? Who's a writer? Stephen King, Nora Roberts, Jennifer Crusie, SEP, but not you, MBL. Not you at all.
Which leads me to a moment of panic....until I get back in the revision zone.
I've doe this often enough now to know it's a cycle. To know the book doesn't suck, but it's not where it needs to be yet. That the "or not" is my brain's way of saying HEY, GET BACK IN THE STORY INSTEAD OF WRITING ABOUT THE STORY.
But even though I know that, I still go through the revision hell ritual.
Time to get back to it. #


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