Before we get into messes: last month I asked about whether or not you preorder books, so I wanted to share the results of that survey with you:
After reviewing these results, I’ve been convinced to give preorders a try. Right now! You can find the link to preorder the first book in my upcoming River Falls series below. But first, I wanted to tell you a little bit about the mess I make of a book before I clean it all up and get it ready to release.
Although I generally draft a book on the computer, I then print it out and make my big, story-level edits by hand. There’s just something about the process of handwriting something that makes my brain look at things differently. There’s also something about being in the throes of editing a book that makes my handwriting—usually neat and orderly—come out looking like someone set a chicken loose with a pen and a doctor’s prescription pad. And not only is my handwriting bad, but then I make things messier by writing new words, only to cross them out, rewrite them, cross them out again, go back to the original and write stet (a proofreading term that stands for “let it stand” and basically means to leave it as it originally was), cross that out, draw an arrow, write some more, run out of room, draw another arrow, make a note to go to page 172 and then back to page 5, where I do more writing, more crossing out, more arrow drawing…you get the picture. And if you don’t, here are a couple of pictures of actual pages from one of my previous manuscripts (I can’t show you the new one yet…you might manage to decipher it and stumble across spoilers!).
It’s a mess, right? But can I be honest with you? I love it. I love when the ideas are coming so fast that my hand can’t keep up with my brain. I love when I see that connection between page 172 and page 5 and figure out how it all fits together. I love when I discover just the scene that needs to be added (or cut, though that’s more painful).
The hard part is then going back in and deciphering my scribbles and scrawl and arrows and additions so that I can type them into the manuscript. Sometimes, I admit that I have to scratch my head for a bit to try to figure out what I meant by a scribble that looks more like an EKG or an arrow that appears to lead in a circle. But I always figure it out in the end. And my stories are always better for it.
Including this one, which is the first book in my new River Falls series. It finally has a title (one that I didn’t figure out until I was in the middle of all those scratches and scribbles): Pieces of Forever.
I can’t wait to share it with you! As soon as I figure out what that one word on page 99 is. It looks like skunk, but that can’t be right…can it?
Do you have neat handwriting, messy handwriting, or handwriting that changes with the situation? When you have the choice, do you prefer to type or handwrite things?
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The scars on her face are nothing to the scars on her heart. But can God help her find healing—and love?
Eight years ago, Ava and Joseph had the perfect future planned—he would go to veterinary school, she would embark on a career with an exclusive modeling agency, and they’d eventually get married and have three dogs and four children. Until a terrible accident changed everything. Unwilling to believe they could still have a future, she made Joseph promise to leave and live out their dreams without her.
Joseph has never broken a promise to Ava. Until now. Because before he made that stupid promise to leave, they’d made each other another promise—one of forever. Now that he’s done with veterinary school, he’s determined to return to River Falls and show her that his promise still stands. That he loves her just the way she is.
But first he’ll have to find a way to crack the safe she’s erected around her heart. Fortunately, he has help: in the form of three lovable dogs, a special group of sick kids, and more than a few slices of pie. But will it be enough to convince Ava that their forever is worth fighting for? Or will he be left picking up the pieces―alone?
Valerie M. Bodden has three great loves: Jesus, her family, and books. And chocolate (okay, four great loves). She writes emotion-filled Christian fiction that weaves real-life problems, real-life people, and real-life faith. Her characters may (okay, will) experience some heartache along the way, but true to her tendencies as a hopeless romantic, she will always give them a happy ending. Valerie is living out her happily ever after in Wisconsin with her high-school-sweetheart-turned-husband and their four children. Visit her at www.valeriembodden.com to get a free story.
Hi, Valerie! I’m all pre-ordered up and so looking forward to it!
My handwriting is usually legible but I limit my handwritten output to small things these days. In the past, when I have had to take notes, I have kept a large binder that I added to each day which I found to be a great resource. I still do some of that but not often.
When I am writing something sizable, like a novel, (of which my massive experience extends to precisely one) I use the computer. However, I also using plotting software to help do the story level planning up front as much as possible. If I have a chunk that needs to be removed or saved for later, I will cut it out of the main document and paste it into a separate file of notes that I keep for snippets of ideas related to the book.
I found the poll information very interesting, especially seeing the number of folks who did NOT use Kindle Unlimited. Glad to know that I’m not the only one out there. :-)
Hi Valerie! As a retired high school teacher, who in the old days typed on a stencil, I prefer the computer where I can save documents and save paper. Editing students’ papers, I tend to make edits as neat as possible. For my own documents, I edit on screen. I usually do a save as – make a second copy, so if I don’t like the changes or something goes wrong, I can go back to the original and start over. Over the years of teaching, I updated a lot of handouts. Added or rewrote sections because of students’ comments, sections I needed to clarify. I taught American Literature for 15 years, so lots of rewrites. Plus in my header and footer, I changed the date each year.
I enjoyed reading the results of the survey. After questioning several authors about Kindle Unlimited, I decided not to use it and always purchase the book, especially since I write lots of reviews. In SW Michigan we finally had frost and leaves are changing color. Best wishes. Stay warm.
One teacher told my parents I wrote wonderful stories if he could read my writing. He tried so hard to help me improve but to this day my hand writing is really bad. Even I can’t read what I wrote at times. (Which is why taking on a job as a secretary for a voluntary group could be very interesting).
I am much better at typing, I also don’t need reading glasses to type.
Thanks so much for preordering, Lincoln!
This may make me a nerd, but I love binders (and notecards too, but that’s a whole other post, lol)! They’re my favorite way to keep printouts of my books–and move pages around and add pages, and… (okay, yes, my enthusiasm here definitely makes me a nerd, lol). They’re great for notes too–only I find that when I have paper notes like that, they just sit there and I never go back to look at them because it’s too hard to find anything, so I’ve gone mostly to digital notes. So much easier to search (usually).
And I am totally with you on never deleting things that I cut from my novels–that all goes into a file because you never know when it might be useful again! I’ve tried a few different plotting software programs, and for some reason I just can’t wrap my head around them. I guess I have my (admittedly messy at times!) system, so I may just need to be content with that.
Glad you enjoyed the poll results. I thought they were interesting too–and some of the results weren’t what I expected. You never know until you ask!
Hi Renate! I am with you on using computers to save documents–what a lifesaver! And I appreciate how much easier it is to make changes than when you handwrite. I am always teasing my kids about how easy they have it when they do papers for school–if they mess up or are just working on another draft, they don’t have to handwrite everything over from scratch. Thankfully, I am able to keep my edits neater when I’m working on other people’s documents, mostly because I do them on the screen using comments and track changes rather than handwriting them–I wouldn’t want to make anyone else try to decipher my scribbles!
I love reading about your dedication to teaching–I can tell how much you enjoyed it by the way you were always refining and revising your handouts. And I’m sure students could tell too!
I agree that the survey results were interesting! I really wasn’t sure what to expect, so I’m glad to have concrete data now. :)
Glad you’re enjoying beautiful fall weather in Michigan. Here in Texas it still feels like summer to me, although we’re supposed to have a cold front move in today with highs only in the 70s for a few days, lol. It’s an adjustment for sure, but I’m enjoying it! Blessings!
Lol! I think handwriting is one of those things that’s as unique as our personalities. :) And it’s hard to change once it’s set. It’s interesting that you don’t need reading glasses to type! That’s a plus!
I have a neat handwriting but it’s not very pretty xD I just can’t go to college, take notes at high speed and keep cute handwriting.
When it comes to writing since I was a teenager I have liked to do it on the computer I type faster than I write by hand.
My handwriting can get messy! When I broke my right wrist, I became a forced lefty, since I had an external fixator, then went to casts. Now, I’m back to writing with my right hand, unless it bothers me, and then I just switch to my left! I can actually print pretty well with my left hand, especially if my right hand is bothering me. I’m a forced lefty with a few other things, too! My ortho told me I’m now ambidextrous, and he’s right!
That’s the thing–even if you have neat handwriting, it’s hard to make it pretty when you’re taking notes at top speed. I agree that I type much faster than I write!
I’m impressed! I don’t even want to imagine how hard my handwriting would be to decipher if I had to write left-handed. The few times I’ve tried, I’ve felt completely uncoordinated, lol! I’m sure it’s very useful to be ambidextrous now (that wasn’t even something I realized could be picked up…I thought you were either born with it or not…I learn something new every day!).
I prefer to type, when I print my writing is kind of slanted and it has always been like that, so I prefer to type, that way there is no problem with people trying to read it. I don’t usually pre order books. I enjoyed this post, thank you. Have a great day and a great rest of the week and stay safe.
I know what you mean–even if we can read our own writing, I think it’s definitely easier for other people to read something typed. A lot less room for misunderstandings or confusion that way!
I handwrite my reviews, and then do the whole scenario of scratching out, arrows and nearly everything you described, Valerie!! A whole book though? Wow!! But it’s whatever works for us, isn’t it! Congratulations on the new up and coming release!
Oh wow! I love that you put that much work and revision into your reviews! I agree that it’s definitely a matter or whatever works for us. I know others are probably shuddering at the thought of making a mess of things like that, lol, but to me, it’s just part of the process. Thanks so much!
I need them for distance and reading but the laptop and computer distance isn’t an issue I do have it set at 110% . But I also am a touch typist so don’t need to look at the keys. I am much better at typing than writing. (also doesn’t hurt the wrist as much as writing does).
My grade 5 teacher use to teach writing even in grade 4 he use to teach our class for a lesson each week. then in grade 5 he did everything to improve my writing. he even at tools to help keep the fingers in the right spot to help but nothing worked. I tried but I think you are right. (my writing would put many drs to shame with it being unreadable).
My hand writing has gotten a lot worse over the years from non-use. I prefer to type, but should really hand-write more.
Hi Val! My handwriting used to be beautiful but the older I get the worse that tends to get. I can still write well if I take the time but seem to do it in the car and/or in a hurry. Usually when I edit I do it on the computer. The book I’m working on right now I rewrite each paragraph by hand (often changing 2 or 3 times) before typing into the Google Docs…..once I figure out my hen scratching, that is! I can’t figure out why I write so much worse when editing but I sure do. I’ve always loved taking notes but I think it’s just age showing…… At least that’s my story and I’m sticking to it!
I think of you every time I have to bundle up to go outside. Even in the house really. I love this season so much I sure am glad not to be in your place. My daughter being up from Texas has made me giggle many times when I have a window open and fan going while she is bundled under blankets! I shouldn’t laugh but sometimes you just can’t help it, you know?
Can’t wait to read your new book!!!
That’s a good point–it’s one of those things that can get rusty when you don’t use it a lot. :) Fortunately, I think it’s probably similar to riding a bike in that it will come back without too much effort!
Glad to hear I’m not the only one with scribbles and hen scratch when I’m editing! But like you, I’m glad no one else has to try to decipher my writing. That’s what computers are for, lol.
It’s so funny to me that you love the cooler weather. I’m loving my warm fall here! Although I find that I sometimes have to put a sweatshirt on to stay warm in the air conditioning, even though we keep it set pretty warm–I get made fun of for that, lol.
Most of the time, I have neat handwriting. As I age, there are times that it is not as neat as it was had been. I like to hand write as much as possible. I do have issues with my hands so it can be limited at times. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
Thank you so much for sharing. Most of the time, I have neat handwriting. As I age, there are times that it is not as neat as it was had been. I like to hand write as much as possible. I do have issues with my hands so it can be limited at times. God bless you.
My fast writing is not the best but my slow writing is very nice & I like to pen pal so I do email ones & love to type for sure.
I only write when needed & it’s nice I’d say.
Issues with your hands can definitely make it harder to handwrite, which can be hard when you enjoy doing it. I am thankful that I don’t have hand issues, but I know that after I’ve spent too long writing by hand, I need to give my hand a break for a while!
Yes, speed definitely has a lot to do with it! I always enjoyed having pen pals when I was younger. Maybe that’s one of the reasons I enjoy doing my weekly newsletter so much–it gives me a chance to have email pen pals! :)
Thanks for reading and sharing, Sylvain!
I don’t write much by hand anymore, I’m either on my computer or Kindle so I type more. I’d consider myself having neat handwriting, that is until my hand starts hurting and then it becomes sloppy.
My husband and I (before we were married) had a long distance relationship, so we wrote many letters to each other. I have those stored in a box to treasure for years to come! I think the art of writing by hand is dwindling….unless you’re a writer who still handwrites everything out :-) It’s a shame too, because I think handwritten notes or letters are precious and something you can read over & over again! I remember years ago seeing letters my Grandma and Grandpa wrote to each other when he was in Germany during WW2. Such a treasure!
I have a neat handwriting :)
I like both – type and handwrite things.
Oh yes, I agree that handwritten notes and letters are a treasure! I still have notes my husband and I have written to each other over the years, but you’re right that I think we do less and less writing by hand. It’s so much quicker and easier to send an email (which isn’t a bad thing…just maybe something we don’t hold onto and treasure as much). One of my favorite things to look at in antique stores is old postcards with their handwritten notes on the back–often with such fancy handwriting!
They’re both useful, especially when you have neat handwriting! :)
I would say that for the most part I have neat handwriting. I usually prefer to hand write things however, there are times when I find it easier to type out what I’m writing.
Typing can definitely be easier–especially for longer things! Otherwise you’re looking at a hand cramp! :)