The silences between the action
Just in case you’re wondering, sometimes I do actually work. For example, last week I visited a high school where I hope to be attending classes pretty soon. I like to sit in the back and make students nervous, wondering, “Who’s that stranger and why is she taking notes?” Bwaa-haa-haa.
I’ve also been reading various magazines and watching the movies that I think my lead girl will be interested in. As I mentioned before, when I write a novel I kind of sort of turn into my main character. I dress like her, I talk like her, I fall in love with the same guy she falls in love with–on the page, I mean. I sit here all day watching the movie of her story inside my head, and try to type it all down as fast as I can.
Does that all sound weird? Can’t help it–it’s just how it works for me.
So while I’m already mentally into the new story, the doorbell rings last Friday and it’s the FedEx man, and he has my galley proofs for EVOLUTION, ME, AND OTHER FREAKS OF NATURE.
Which is a HUGE moment for me. Because galley proofs are the first time you get to see your novel typeset like a real live book. It’s tangible proof that even though you haven’t heard anything from New York for a while, real live publishing people have been up there working on your story behind your back, doing what it takes to one day get it into the hands of actual strangers who will read it.
I can’t overemphasize the coolness of this.
But it brings up this weird aspect of publishing that I guess all authors just have to learn to deal with. In the life of a book, there are pockets of action followed by loooooong periods of utter silence. Theoretically we know that our editors and the publishing company staff are taking the necessary steps to move the book along the production line, but it’s not like anyone is reporting in frequently with “We just had a meeting about it!” or “We ordered the paper!” or anything like that.
You know generally when your book will come out–for me it’s next August–and you trust that everyone is doing their job and one day the books will show up in stores, but it’s a matter of faith to some extent, since you can’t see all the wheels and gears moving.
I’m happiest when I have work to do–when I can see the process in action. Which is why this week is a real joy, since I not only have the new novel to work on, but also these galley proofs to look over one last time before they go to final print. This is my last chance to catch any typos, any huge embarrassing mistakes that I’ll regret the rest of my life, any stupid statements that some teenager out there will call me on the first time I’m at a reading. No pressure.
But ladies and gentlemen, it’s starting to look like a book. This must be what it’s like for a pregnant woman to see the little creature inside her on a sonogram. You kind of generally know there’s someone coming, but it’s nice to see him in there sucking his thumb.
Technorati Tags: Writing, Publishing, Fiction, Novels, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Novels
, Last Friday FedEx brought my first ever galley proofs. Be still my heart! Galley proofs are the first time you see your novel typeset like a real live book. So I am now able to hold in my hands tangible proof that I have a novel coming out next year, and it will consist of words that I once typed on a screen and that now some paid employee of Random House has
Which brings me to the strange silences between the action on a book.
You mean they didn’t call when they ordered the paper? Really?
Huh.
They called ME when they ordered the paper. Strange…
No, no, just kidding. Yeah, it’s weird to live in those lulls — the edits are done, there’s nothing more for you to do as the writer. And now you just wait. And, yeah, other people who are gainfully employed at REAL jobs are slaving away, but it’s not like you can SEE them working. And since you (and I, of course) are just slugs at this point, laying around and refreshing Google over and over to see if anyone has mentioned us lately, there’s nothing to do but wonder and worry and stress.
What a weird, weird way to live.
But trust me — it all works out. I’ve seen how this movie ends. Come August, you’ll be high as a kite. The book will done and out and people will be reading it and reviewing it and loving it.
And then you’ll have a whole slew of NEW things to stress over.
I do NOT self-Google. Much.
Of course not, Robin. You must be signed up for google alerts by now. It’s much easier.
I am not a writer but the process that you and your writing buddies go through is very exciting to watch and read. It must be a bit annoying when a typo or another error is discovered. Afterall, it IS your book and if you choose to throw in another version of spelling that should be your choice.
Funny you should mention that, MJG, since right this very minute I’m looking at the edits on my galley proofs and trying to decide whether to fight for “website” and “internet,” or give in to the official “Web site” and “Internet.”
Critical decisions . . .