I saw this on Twitter: A telegram Dorothy Parker sent to her editor.
THIS IS INSTEAD OF TELEPHONING BECAUSE I CANT LOOK YOU IN THE VOICE. I SIMPLY CANNOT GET THAT THING DONE YET NEVER HAVE DONE SUCH HARD NIGHT AND DAY WORK NEVER HAVE SO WANTED ANYTHING TO BE GOOD AND ALL I HAVE IS A PILE OF PAPER COVERED WITH WRONG WORDS. CAN ONLY KEEP AT IT AND HOPE TO HEAVEN TO GET IT DONE. DONT KNOW WHY IT IS SO TERRIBLY DIFFICULT OR I SO TERRIBLY INCOMPETANT=
Oh yes, I understand exactly. It’s how I’ve felt with Sig as I battled through Lord Regret’s Price. I’ve done such hard work and have so little to show for it. Every day is a struggle. If I break 1K for the day, I celebrate. It’s a huge day, because other days I might only get 100 words and feel like I’ve run a marathon.
I’ve felt like a failure. Definitely incompetent. I can only keep at it and hope to heaven I can get it done.
I can’t look you in the voice until I’m done. But I am closer every single day.
In other news, I’m working on first round edits for Her Grace’s Stable and I’ve seen a mock-up of the cover. HOLY SMOLIES it’s incredible!! I can’t wait to show it to you!!
“I can’t look you in the voice.” I love that phrase. 🙂
Oh, that phrase is going to stick with me for a very, very long time. Love it.
Woo hoo on Lady B. Can’t wait to see the cover.
As for Sig, he’ll bend. He has to 🙂 You know I’m in your corner.
Oh, Miss Parker. I love her so.
Just get the draft done, no matter how crappy it’s turning out. I write very very crappy first drafts, and I can tell you from experience that a crappy first draft doesn’t mean the project is doomed. Once you’ve produced your oozing hunk of clay, you can start molding it into the masterpiece you want it to be.
Hang in there.