much of my media consumption plans for october were dashed because i spent the month editing my novella. it was a very eye-opening process — this is the first brand new thing i’ve written since the duology. i’ve been trying to be more attuned to my writing and editing style so that i can spare myself future despair when writing new projects. in theory, if i know what to expect from myself, the process will be easier. of course, every project is a little different, but i like to think that they all share some commonalities, at least when it comes to editing, if not drafting (which is wildly different for me each time).
so, what have i learned?
generally speaking, i edit a little bit as i go when drafting a project, but not hardcore editing, just enough to make the project somewhat readable, enough that i can see the direction i need to go. this means drafting linearly (an absolute must for me) and making sure chapters flow into each other in a way that makes sense. it means filling in any placeholders or missing information. basically, it means ending up with something that is absolutely not my best work, but is also not something i would be terribly embarrassed having my friend or agent read.
the next round of editing is a true revision, and it’s a sentence-by-sentence rewrite. i’ve noticed that my first drafts, despite editing-as-i-go, still tend to be extremely tell-y; that is, i write as if i’m telling myself the story as it’s already happened, rather than telling a story to others as it’s happening. this means tons of exposition and infodumping, extremely mechanical writing, lack of introspection from characters, and lack of grounding details. generally, a lack of depth and emotional resonance to the narrative. the plot is there, but that’s all.
i’ve also noticed i have a very specific writing style in this first draft; i tend to use the past perfect tense (i.e. “she had written” or “she had arrived”) and the past perfect continuous tense (i.e. “she had been hoping”) a lot. it’s very weird, and it engenders both distance from the characters and passivity in the voice. it also takes away any immediacy in the narrative. it’s a strange tick, and i remember doing this when writing my duology as well.
but anyway! i finished editing and ended up with a much better product, and the novella is one again in the hands of my agent.
the other book news, in case you missed the reveal over on instagram, is that the alamaxa duology paperbacks are getting brand new (and stunning!!!) covers:
aren’t they gorgeous? i’m fully obsessed with these. they are designed by will staehle, cover god extraoirdinarie, whose work i have admired for years. i can’t wait to hold these in my hands!!!
weavers is out in paperback march 4th of next here; preorder here or from my local bookstore riverbend if you’d like signed or personalized copies!
i read quite a bit less than i was expecting to in october, partly because of the editing situation, and partly because i dnf’d quite a few books that had been on my shelves for years, purchased during a time when my tastes were wildly different and when i had much more patience for books i didn’t absolutely love. in the end, i read six books this month.
books i read in october:
bright young women by jessica knoll
penance by eliza clark
nothing but blackened teeth by cassandra khaw (a re-read of an old fave)
appetite for innocence by lucinda berry
the dead take the a train by cassandra khaw & richard kadrey
the eyes are the best part by monika kim
three of these books were audiobooks, listened to exclusively on my frequent drives, so technically the actual time i specifically carved out for reading equated to three books. i must shout out the dead take the a train, an exquisitely written novel of cosmic horror and urban fantasy.
also i’m very happy i’ve finally adjusted to audiobooks! i used to really struggle, but now i’ve discovered that i can happily listen to audiobooks on lengthy drives. since i now work part-time in addition to my day job, i drive about an hour a day, which means that time is not wasted but is spent reading, kind of like how i used to read for 3 hours a day when i used to commute to work.
finally, gotta shout out a short story i read just a few days ago called the v*ampire by ph Lee and published by Tor. it’s basically, what if the horrors of tumblr were actual horrors (an abusive vampire in this case), and it’s weird and unsettling and manages to capture the cadence and vibe of tumblr so well.
i watched precisely (1) tv show this month, and it was nobody wants this, a romantic comedy starring kristen bell and adam brody who play a podcaster and a hot rabbi, respectively, who fall in love despite their differences.
i appreciated a lot about this show, including the humor and wholesome sibling relationships, but most especially its disdain for the miscommunication trope. characters on this show communicate like real people and any sort of misunderstanding is very quickly resolved. there’s one scene in particular where two of the characters are in a fight that is resolved when another character reveals something on speakerphone, and it is so cathartic and unexpected that i rewound to watch again.
i watched a decent amount of movies:
a toxic marriage (an egyptian comedy film that was very dumb but had that uniquely egyptian brand of humor that i love)
the shining (extremely underwhelming and even a little silly; the more i reflect on it the more i dislike it)
woman of the hour (incredibly moving, powerfully shot, and employs tension expertly, with an ending sequence that will resonate with me for years to come, one of my favorite movies of the year)
bram stoker’s dracula (this was a rewatch and HOW did i not realize that this has such b-movie vibes??? i laughed way more than i was supposed to but it was a fun time)
the rocky horror picture show (another rewatch and just a good time)
practical magic (i’ve been wanting to watch this for ages because people love it but i found it utterly deranged??? i thought this was a cozy favorite, why is it like seven different genres in a trenchcoat?)
i don’t usually talk about music because i’m generally not too much of a music girlie and particularly not a pop girlie, but recently i’ve gotten into a pop trifecta: sabrina carpenter, chappell roan, and ariana grande. i know i’m extremely late to all of these people, but better late than never (also i know they are all very different and have very different lore and fanbases but they are my trifecta). some favorite songs:
good luck babe (chappell roan)
pink pony club (chappell roan)
the boy is mine (ariana grande)
we can’t be friends (ariana grande)
espresso (sabrina carpenter)
managed to have some october-themed excursions this month, including a visit to connecticut’s oldest cider mill (built in 1888). got my cider donut and iced apple cider. did a lot of driving around with a friend and saw gorgeous autumnal shades. i really do love this season with all my heart, and it’s such a shame that it goes by so fast.
earlier in the month, i saw a production of hadestown at a local theater — my second time seeing the broadway tour. this time, i made sure i was sitting up close, in the third row. i’ve realized that i don’t really enjoy theater unless i’m close enough to actually see the actors without squinting. i don’t know if that was what made the difference, or that combined with the stellar cast, but i enjoyed myself much more the second time than the first.
i have a long history with hadestown — i listened to the original concept album back in 2010, dreamed of a production, saw the off-broadway production three times, and then watched it launch on broadway. i love the original concept album and was obsessed with the off-broadway production but felt more lukewarm towards the broadway version. i still think the off-broadway version is preferred production, but i was very glad to genuinely enjoy myself with the broadway version. i look forward to seeing it again one day!
other bits and bobs:
i recently bought a disposable camera and loved how the pictures came out with such a 90s vibe, so i bought one of those cheap reusable film cameras and i’ve been having a blast
this video about it ends with us drama was very illuminating (i still have to watch the movie; i’ve never read the book)
i recently discovered a clothing brand called disturbia and i am obsessed with their designs
guys i’ve never seen a single episode of the rings of power nor am i a lord of the rings girlie at all but thanks to twitter i have become obsessed with the dynamic between galadriel and sauron
never forget this incredible scene from interview with the vampire s2
i’m obsessed with friends and so i happened to stumble upon this video of the straightening of chandler bing, which discusses why chandler is perceived as gay by so many characters
cheers (and happy halloween),
hadeer