I’ve heard it’s important to back away for at least 3 weeks before editing. I couldn’t do it with Illusions. It just kept haunting me so I had to work and work on it.

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By Joyce Wolfley on 04.19.09 10:34 pm | Permalink

I have no idea. I don’t get a chance to decide to wait. My kids and jobs. I think it is a bit harder to get back into the story after it’s been a while. I have not been able to get into my story now for a couple of weeks. Good luck and if you feel like a break is good, them by all means take it!

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By Brenna on 04.20.09 12:08 pm | Permalink

For me, I had a hard time leaving Legend alone, but once I started writing In The Dark, and focused on it, I found going back to Legend at the completion of writing ITD, Legend’s faults and flaws jumped out at me. I saw it with new eyes. Things were easier to let go.

Now I’ve got In The Dark on the shelf as I’m writing Surviving. When I am done with the first draft of Surviving, I will go back to ITD. I already know of many changes I wish to make on that novel. For one, making Laif sound like a guy and not a 36 year old woman. LOL

So I believe that you should always shelve a book for a few months, write another one, then go back. Writing a good story takes time, but how does the saying go?

Good things come to those who wait.

Shelve your ms. Start a new one. Maybe even two. Your writing will improve, and your eyes will be cleared.

Sarah

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By Sarah on 04.20.09 6:23 pm | Permalink

To tell you the truth, getting back to work is either easier or harder depending on what is going on in my life. When I take a break from writing, I find that it is hard to get back to it because of life. So I learned to take a break only when I finish writing. With fresh eyes, I can rip it apart, but I cannot get back to the writing.

Oh well, c’est la vie, c’est ma vie.

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By Ceylan on 04.24.09 7:09 am | Permalink