Curing The “I’ve Read My Manuscript Too Many Times” Blues

March 20, 2016 by David T. Allen

We’ve been editing and re-reading our manuscript for days now. Leslie is a machine; she can pour over the same words all day, every day, and make significant improvements. I, however, am weak. I’ve had a hard time contributing lately because all I see are negatives. But, this morning, I found a way to cure it.

Stuck with the sniffles and the I’ve-read-our-manuscript-too-many-times blues, I went to Amazon to read samples from books that I know were commercially successful. Sure enough, I found fault with every sentence.

Realizing my frustrations were due to a weird mood and not something inherently wrong with every word we’d written, I was able to read our manuscript with a kinder eye (and enjoy it!)

Echo Chamber Heist: Full Manuscript Read Through
Last month, I put Echo Chamber Heist away for a few weeks so I could re-read it with fresh eyes. I didn’t get the whole way through, as holidays, work, a two-week uber cold, and a trip to Japan halted my progress. Still, I read a fair amount, and now can work through the most important edits with Leslie.

Sprint 16: Beta Reader Feedback, Mexico, and Pinball
March was a whirlwind. It started with a well-timed trip to Mexico, followed by implementing feedback from nine beta readers, gardening, jury duty, releasing our short story in the Steampunk Fairy Tales collection, and lots of pinball.

Working With Artists: Torch Goose Press Logo
Since we purchased ISBNs from Bowker and were able to associate them with a publishing company, we debated using Torch Goose Press or 150 Degree Books (after the temperature I prepare my matcha at). We asked around, and Torch Goose Press was preferred. (Also, Leslie preferred 195 Degree Books since that’s the temperature she uses for her black tea.) I wanted to add a logo, so I turned to our friend, Lana Hayes.

The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins
A book hasn’t reached off the shelf and grabbed me like The Library at Mount Char in years. The cover, the blurb, the first page—it hooked me and reeled me in, leaving me up hours past my bedtime a few nights in a row.

#writing