Can't Find My Marbles!

I usually try to blog here on Wednesdays, but suddenly, the days are getting away from me.

I'm just past the midpoint in my book. My brain cells are totally obsessed now. Weird thoughts wake me up at night, I keep worrying about what I'm forgetting, and obviously, I can't find all my marbles.

Good thing I have this kitty to help!

So when I write a book, I do three drafts. The first draft is a nightmare. My good friend, Maureen Child, gave me fantastic advice: Write the draft straight through. Maureen has written over 100 books, she knows what she's talking about.

I tried. I swear I did. I went back and put in notes for later revisions, and kept writing. When I hit the wall, I still tried to keep going.

Finally I gave in. I rewrote the first, I don't, 150 pages. Now I've passed the mid point and have a good feel for the book. I've come to realize my first draft is where all the heavy lifting is done. It's the way I work. The second draft is where I fix, move things around, flesh out conflict, turning points, etc. But while it takes me months to do a first draft, it usually only takes weeks to do the second draft.

My third draft is straight editing and looking for any problems I've missed. I can do that in a week or so, unless I find a Big Problem.

I'm rambling today, I know! So I'll come up with a better blog once I gather up all my marbles! Anyone else out there feel like they are losing their marbles?