Kia ora,
Last week I talked about whole-arsing your writing and not settling for eh, good enough. (If you missed it, catch up here.)
This week I want to talk about another point of the writing process: the I am done point. And if you’re really feeling done, you can say it with your chest: I. Am. DONE.
I am done is kind of the opposite to eh, good enough, and it comes at a different point in the writing process.
Eh, good enough, happens as you’re writing and revising. You’ve just had enough and you want to move on. This is the point where getting outside input from trusted friends or editors can really help give your writing (and you) a boost.
I am done happens towards the end of the whole writing, revising, editing cycle. You’ve developed ideas from friends and you’ve worked in feedback from your editor, and you’re making changes here and there, but maybe there’s a nagging voice that’s saying “okay, but what if I just rewrote—”
No! Don’t listen to that nagging voice! At some point, you have to call the story done. No more tweaking, no more changes.
When you reach the I am done stage, your writing is done-done. You’ve done all you can to make your book the best it can be. You’ve whole-arsed it. It’s time to turn this manuscript into a book. Yes, you’ll make a few more small changes once you see your book beautifully laid out, but by this point, no more big changes are needed.
The I am done is the reward for all the effort and hard work you’ve put in. All that whole-arsing your writing, editing, and revising has come to this: a wonderful story that flows well and immerses the reader in your journey.
Bask in that achievement. It’s well deserved!
Cheers,
Deborah
📚 What I’m reading
Silverland: A Winter Journey Beyond the Urals by a legend of the genre, Dervla Murphy.
📅 Availability
Booking projects from mid-September. Get in touch if you want a sample edit so you can see what editing can do for your story.
✍️ Ways to work with me
Read the Base Camp Writing blog
Check out my self-publishing guides
Discover more from Deborah Shaw Adventure Editing
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