Untitled Fantasy (AKA Traitors & Tyrants) arrived this week. My instructor provided some feedback, which was mostly really minor and disappointing, and I have their copy now as well as my own. This time though, I have the rest of my lessons and I've already learned some new things.
My first step is to read the manuscript without editing or making notes. How in the world am I supposed to do that? I've been unsuccessful so far, but I'm trying to limit myself at least to just the really big changes. There are some things I have to chew on before they can be discarded or put into action.*
*see post-it note in the picture above
My brain just keeps churning though and focusing is terrible hard. In the past, I would have been horrified at the work that lays before me. I don't know why it's different now, but when I think about all the changes that need to happen and how flawed it is right now, I'm both excited and relieved. Excited because of its potential. Relieved because it can still be changed. What I have here now, doesn't have to be the end of the journey.
There are scenes I've already decided that need to be completely cut and I'm finding it freeing instead of horrifying. Of course, I've had some thoughts that are still hard to accept as very possible solutions and changes. I've grown attached to some things but I'm learning to let go. Just because you have to get rid of one thing or a character thought, doesn't mean you have to say goodbye to them forever. That thought is comforting and liberating.
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