Wednesday 16 June 2010

Revision Road (Week 2)

With both The Beginning and Week 1 behind me, revision road should be getting easier. But...

Thursday, 10th June 2010

Managed 4 pages yesterday. Wednesdays will always be difficult writing days because of family commitments. Added to that, yesterday was the "United We Stand" parade to show support for Bafana Bafana as Soccer fever hits the country. 49 million of us versus 11 of them, one banner proclaimed. Too true. We're a country where miracles happen, and the 2010 Soccer World Cup (just like the 1995 Rugby World Cup) may just see a miracle or two! Our vuvuzela's are ready! Husband has his makaraba (personalised with the title of his book "Taxpayers' have Rights" slogan - see above) ready! KE NAKO!!!! It's time!  And none of this has anything to do with my revisions, except as a perfect procrastination excuse. So, let me repeat my mantra: Focus! Focus! Focus!  It's time to get to work!

Saturday, 12 June 2010

Thursday was a great writing day - 21 pages of revisions, including some serious re-writing. Pleased with that. But, come on...!! Did anyone really expect me to work on the opening day of the Soccer World Cup 2010?? AYOBA YO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The atmosphere in Jo'burg has been ELECTRIC this whole week. We've all got South African flags on our cars, there's flags hanging from gateposts (and electric fences!) and yesterday it was just crazy - vuvuzelas blowing all day and flags and you name it! Husband even wore his "taxpayers have rights" makaraba to work yesterday. I had flags and soccer balls stuck to my cheeks - even my elderly parents stuck flags on their faces as we watched the start of SWC 2010. All great fun, topped by a magnificent opening ceremony and a worthy performance by our boys in yellow, Bafana Bafana!! South Africa is on the world stage and we're doing just GREAT!!!!!!!!! No revisions done yesterday, but not a day for worrying about that. I must confess I don't want a European team to win this world cup - it must be either an African team, South American team (except Brazil), the USA or Australian Socceroos. I want a soccer underdog to win, not the usual big fish!! I even hold the secret hope that Bafana Bafana may repeat the magical winning performance of the Springbokke in the 1995 Rugby World Cup...in this land of miracles, anything is possible!

Off to practice my iDiski moves now. And then I'll get back onto the straight and narrow of the Revision Road!

Sunday, 13th June 2010

Feel like A Real Writer this morning.  Saturday was hectic: loads of chores cleaning up after the SWC celebrations on Friday, an all-day visit to Pretoria and the England vs USA soccer game. Never expected to get any writing done but, as tired as I was when we got home, I disciplined myself, sat my behind down on the chair and - viola - before I knew it I'd completed 9 pages. Was ruthless too: cut out a page and a half of truly awful writing.  Still had time to watch the game afterwards. US of A played a great game and closed England down at the beautiful Royal Bafokeng stadium in Rustenburg. Eish! Was a surreal feeling watching those big name players and realising that it was all taking place here, in our beloved country!

Monday 14th June 2010

Bad day yesterday (Sunday). Managed nearly 17 pages of revisions, but confidence very low. Can't imagine what the WRP editor saw in the manuscript because, quite honestly, I'm embarrassed by it. Was negative and destructive about the writing; wondered if I'm wasting my time. Feeling slightly better this morning after dragging myself into the gym and doing some yoga, but still have a hint of gloom surrounding me.  Is the effort worth it? Well, foolish or not, I'm congenitally incapable of throwing in the towel, so will just have to struggle on. I'll re-do those pages today and hope that inspiration strikes. Hopefully, as accurately as the German's struck that soccer ball last night. 4-0. Shame, poor Socceroos. They were so brave, but just couldn't get past the German juggernaut.  I wonder how much I'm being distracted by the soccer? 

Tuesday, 15th June 2010

Confidence still low. Is this the revisions equivalent of the "sagging middle syndrome"? Because everything I touch seems worse than before.  Re-revised  about 10 pages from yesterday; also managed to get through  13 new pages, but I'm wondering what the editor saw in this story.  And, to make matters worse, today is cold. Really really cold. How am I going to write today with frozen fingers?

Wednesday 16th June, 2010

Despite the bitter cold and busy, emotional day (said goodbye to Big Sister as she heads to her UK home for two months) was happy with Tuesday's work. Writing was better in this section of the ms, or perhaps I'm just numb with worry (or cold) and can't tell the difference anymore? Today still freezing. Can hardly move for all the layers. Theodora showing off with her thick winter coat and prancing around outside like a kitten, instead of the venerable old lady she's supposed to be.   Celebrating Youth Day today (the Soweto Uprising of 1976).  A great day for Bafana Bafana's second match of the World Cup.  Revisions going well so far.  Maybe I'm getting used to dressing like the Michelin Man to keep warm.

Hard to believe I've already travelled another week on Revision Road! 

8 comments:

Nancy J. Parra said...

Hi Judy!!

I tried earlier to follow this blog but it wouldn't let me. Got it to work today though!! So, I'm happy.
Love to hear how your revisions are going- and the soccer stuff-(Love the pic by the way-great hat.) do you feel a bit Harry Potter like with the World Quittich event? lol
Hugs, N

Anita said...

Like Nancy, I keep thinking of Quidditch, too!

And no need to feel embarrassed, woman! Your writing rocks!

Tana said...

Great job! I'm constantly distracted when it comes time for revisions. I need to focus but my mind strays to the next project.

CA Heaven said...

I'm impressed that you're able to get anything done at all right now, in the middle of soccer world cup >:)

Cold As Heaven

Damaria Senne said...

I'm impressed with the amount of revision you're managing to pull through, even in the middle of Soccer Fever. Pity we lost last night.

Claire Robyns said...

Judes, despite being caught up in world cup fever, you're steaming ahead with those revisions! YAAAH!
And everytime your confidence dips, just remember that your requesting editor DID love the story and your writing, she DID spend precious time reading and writing notes and requesting revisions, she WILL love this when you're done and this WILL be the one!

Jan Morrison said...

I'm mid-revisions too. I sort of like it though as I'm too loose a writer and when I revise I get more ruthless. I did suffer from flabby middle syndrome today (see Crazy Jane)
Ah well, to be expected. You must be so excited at the World Cup. My brother is there from Yellowknife, NWT, Canada. A long way!

Judy Croome | @judy_croome said...

NANCY: So glad you found me again! ((Hugs))

ANITA: Soccer is definitely a little bit like Quiddicth…and thanks for the vote of confidence in my writing! Wish you were an editor! :)

T. ANNE: Lovely to have you visit! My mind is constantly straying…focusing is quite an issue for me (as you probably gathered!)

COLD AS HEAVEN: Hope you’re enjoying the soccer as much as we are. You're probably warmer than we are!

DAMARIA: That 3-0 loss to Uraguay was painful. Ouch! But as far as hosting the cup goes, we’re still doing *such* a great job!

CLAIRE: You’re appointed chief cheerleader. I hope you’re right about this finally being The One! Wouldn’t that be exciting!

JAN: Sawubona Jan! Lovely to have you here. Hope your brother is having a great time in South Africa and that your revisions are progressing better than mine! :)