I guess maybe that pre-draft of random scenes and notes is kind of like what most people write for their first draft? Because then (the stage I’m in now), I go through from beginning to end rearranging, plumping, filling in the blanks, and polishing all that mess I spewed out the first time through.

It’s weird maybe, but it makes for a pretty polished first draft

I think you’re right about learning to work under pressure, since I guess your first novel is the only one you really have the luxury of letting sit for however long you want, since all the novels after it will probably have deadlines. I like deadlines anyway. I’m too lazy and unaccountable without them, even if they’re just deadlines I’ve given myself… and announced to the public, of course

I have the Wii Fit, but honestly, the delay between exercises drives me crazy and so I don’t use it very often except when I feel like I need to do some yoga. Instead I use EA Sports Active (which works with the balance board from Wii Fit) and Your Shape (which I absolutely love!) along with my treadmill for my workouts. Haven’t ever tried The Shred, but I can say that Your Shape made me realize that some of my muscles weren’t getting any attention from the treadmill and Sports Active, LOL. I hobbled around for three days before my legs recovered from the first workout with Your Shape.

I can’t let anyone read my drafts until after I’ve completed the first one and have revised it at least once on my own because I’m a “seat of my pants” writer, meaning that I rarely ever outline or think too far ahead. I discover the story as I write it and so my first draft is VERY messy and doesn’t make sense at all because I’ll change my mind about something halfway through and instead of fixing the earlier chapters I just keep writing and fix it during revisions. I have an online critique group I put together but they only get to read the second or later drafts, never the first because it would make their heads explode trying to figure it out.

I’ve always heard and read that drafts should be put away for several months, but I’ve revised much sooner than that several times. When you’re under contract and on a deadline you don’t always get the luxury of waiting (I had to write and revise my second book in just one month before sending it in for my editor’s read through!), so I think teaching yourself to revise quickly is a good thing. But I also think you kind of know when to revise–or at least I do. I’ll put the story away for a while and when my brain starts thinking about it again and my fingers are itching to work on it, I know it’s time to pick it back up.

What is it with these men and their stripper poles?

Carnaxa, I think I’ve heard a few months too. Hmmm, you see that just doesn’t work in with my plans, lol! Maybe I’ll commit to two months, and dedicate that time to reading a few really great books to up my game.

Everybody’s doing Wii Fit! I’m gonna have to see about getting one of those!

I got the Wii Fit for christmas so I’m hoping to start that up in the next day or two to get rid of all that christmas excess I stacked on!

I’m sending you good vibes and much luck for the novel completion and edit.

I am also definitely looking into the shred… would make a nice addition to my belly dancing videos. Draw the line at putting a stripper pole in the living room, though. Husband was saddened, LOL!

I’m happy for you to have set a goal~! I’ll be sending free flowing thought vibes your way.