Pages

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Post-Parting Blues

Last night--my eyes bloodshot from hours of staring at the laptop screen--I attached the file containing the manuscript for Temptation and pasted a synopsis of the book into the body of an email. I wanted nothing more than to shoot the message to my editor at Lyrical Press, but I hesitated. Like I always do. Is the book good enough? Did I spend enough time on self-edits? Maybe I shouldn't send it because there's that one scene that I think isn't quite perfect. These doubts and more circled brain.

"No," I said aloud. My family is used to me talking to myself at the computer so the sudden outburst drew little attention. The manuscript is ready, just do it already! Finally, I clicked 'send.' My stomach clenched into knots and my palms started to sweat. This morning, I feel about the same way.

An author friend of mine also subbed something to a publisher about a week ago and it's nice to have someone to play the waiting game with. We both have lots of other WIPs to work one, but neither of us feels much like writing. And I realized, I feel this way everytime I finish and sub a manuscript. I'm off my writing game for at least three or four days. Sometimes the funk lasts as long as two weeks. I wonder, is there such thing as post-partem blues for writers?

Let's face it, producing a manuscript is much like going through labor...except the sweat and pain and pushing lasts for weeks or months on end, lol. Perhaps when the baby we've incubated for so long is out in the world, we do go through what I've deemed post-parting blues. I'm interested to find out if other writers go through this kind of letdown after the initial glee of finishing up a novel. And don't forget to vote in this week's poll. How do you feel once you've subbed the book to a publisher? Check all answers that apply.

Can't wait to see what y'all have to say!

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey doll,
You hit the nail on the head. The manuscipcies are months long and the labor is rough. Then you give you baby up for adoption and wait for someone to accept it and love it as you do. Authorhood, parenthood of the pen.

Foxx Miyamoto said...

Oooh, great turn of phrase, chica--parenthood of the pen. Thanks for dropping in :)

Myst Bloodstone said...

Well, I can't say that I've been there yet. But I watched my husband go through it. So, I'd have to agree. I do know that I have it now, on the ms's I'm currently working on. I'll go weeks without writing so much as a sentence. Chris tells me I'll never get published at this rate. My question to you is..did you go through it pre-published also? Or just afterwards?

Foxx Miyamoto said...

Great question, Myst. Actually, I did. My first book took three years to write, lol. Now I can write a book in a couple of months.

The more you do it, the more consistent you'll be. Now, I write every day whether I feel like it or not, even if it's just a few hundred words. Just keep plugging away at it. You will get there, Myst. And I'll be waiting in line for your first release ;)

Jesse Fox said...

I'm relieved that I'm not the only one who feels this way. Although, I work exclusively with one publisher at this time and I know my editor well I still get a knot in my throat when I send out a manuscript.

As a writer I've always considered my stories, my children, and I'm always second guessing myself as I know parents do. After the send button is pushed I have a waterfall of doubts pop in my head. I'll do anything to distract that part of myself and the longer the wait the worse it gets.

Right now I'm finishing up my third book, a m/m erotic crime thriller, a first for me, and I've already got the knot rolling around in my gut. I think I might have an aneurysm before I even get it to my editor. LOL

Foxx Miyamoto said...

So right, Jesse! I feel that way too. I have a case of the nerves and doubts the whole way through a manuscript. Good luck with your m/m erotic crime thriller. Keep us updated, it sounds like a sexy, exciting read :)