Friday, I got the most wonderful birthday present.
I have a Google Alert set to search for my name. It popped me a notice that Kristi Holl had mentioned one of my articles in her blog, Writers First Aid. The post, Danger: Rush Job
, discussed her problems in outlining her new book. She commented that my article, “Fight the Good Fight Against Writer’s Block” (The Children’s Writer Guide to 2009) reminded her that taking the time to work out the details now can save you a lot of time when it comes to revisions.
Have you ever heard someone quote you and suddenly you get it. BOING! If only you’d listened to yourself when you said it instead of waiting for someone to repeat it back to you.
At least now I understand some of my problems rewriting my work-in-progress. I’ll stop and work out the rules of my fantasy universe. Then I’ll go back to rewrite chapter 2. Somehow I think it will go a little more smoothly when I know how the world in question works.
Thanks, Kristi!
–SueBE
One Writer's Journey 
I got such a kick out of your post today. You’re very welcome. Isn’t it funny how we have to remember to take our own advice? Occasionally I run up against a problem and open my own Writer’s First Aid book to try to remember what I used to do in this situation. Last year my best friend gave me some terrific advice, I thought, about a personal problem. When I asked her where she got such insight, she said she was repeating back to me what I’d told her the year before. I still don’t remember ever saying it. 😎
Happy Birthday, and thanks for your helpful article!
Kristi
Kristi,
I’m glad I’m not the only one who needs to be reminded about what I already know. Or should know. Now I just need to find the time to talk my world rules through with my relentlessly logical husband. He’s not really relentless but he won’t let me skate by anything either. Good luck with your own work!
–SueBE