How’s the Book Coming?

Click on the cartoon to read it. Courtesy of “Will Write for Chocolate by Debbie Oh.

“So, how’s the book coming?”

It’s the question that is making me cringe. I am happy that my friends are aware of my dream and that they are supportive and interested. But, I’m at an uncomfortable stage in the writing process. Editing. And re-writing. And editing some more. How’s it going? Have you ever tried to unravel a horribly tangled ball of yarn? You know if you keep picking at it that it will get done. But sometimes you wonder if it is worth it. Then you look at the photo on the front of the sweater pattern and you think, “Yes, it will be worth it.”

Sometimes they ask, “Is your book done?”

Well, define “done.” Yes, it’s written. The story is complete from beginning to end and has been for quite awhile. But in writing terms, that doesn’t mean much. I still have to get it to where the plot keeps a reader’s interest through every single chapter, the characters sparkle with life and the ending pulls at your heartstrings. Then, every sentence has to be written correctly with no extra commas, dangling whatevers (participles?) or spelling errors. And, since it’s historical fiction — it must be historically accurate.

So, in other words… the story is done, but the book isn’t.

But I’m never sure how to tell people this. When I say I’m in rewriting or editing, most people assume that I’m working with a publisher on minor changes. No, in reality that comes much later. I’m doing MY edits. If I get to the publication stage, then I will be working on THEIR edits.

So, if you consider writing a book to be a journey from the idea to the book arriving on the shelf… I’ve only taken a few steps. This is how I see the journey:

1. The idea
2. Research and brainstorming
3. Outlining
4. Writing
5. Rewriting (rinse and repeat several times)
6. Critiquing (friends, other writers, conferences, paid editors)
7. More rewriting (repeat as necessary)
8. Submitting to agents (repeat as necessary)
9. More rewriting to please the agents
10. Acceptance (hopefully) by agent
11. Agent shops book to publishers (repeat as necessary)
12. Publisher nibbles
13. More edits to please publisher
14. Contract (hopefully)
15. Marketing plans, cover art, etc.
16. Book hits store shelves
17. And from what I’ve heard… the real work begins. Marketing!
18. And assuming that you want a career: return to step #1 and do it all again.

Well, that’s how I picture it, anyway. I’m on step #7 and I’m a little fuzzy on steps 8-18. I’ve listed them as other writers have patiently explained them to me.

So, excuse me if I get a glazed look in my eye if you ask me, “How’s the book coming.” I’m not trying to be rude. I’m trying to figure out how to answer the question. Usually I just say, “slowly.”

The really hard question is, “Are you STILL working on that book?” Ask me that sometime if you want to see my head explode!

No, on the other hand, please don’t. It might be a little messy. And I might need that head if I’m ever going to get to step 18.