Makes me want to watch The Lord of the Rings all over again!

After six manuscripts I came to the point where I realized I needed help.  I had no idea how to create a revision process that didn’t end up with me getting frustrated and moving onto the next project.

After doing a heavy bit of research and asking the lovely women over at Passionate Ink for help, I’ve now created a checklist and a systematic and quite thorough process for revising my manuscripts. To top that off, I also grabbed a whole gob of ink and paper and printed out a working version of each manuscript. Three hole punched, labeled and placed in a binder, these manuscripts are ready for the first step in my newly designed revision process.

Step #1 Read the entire manuscript through beginning to end and take notes on each chapter with my Livescribe pen. Why Livescribe? So the notes can be uploaded and saved on my computer in the file designated for that book.

Then when I go back and do rewrites, I don’t have to sort through stacks of scrap paper. it’s all on my computer waiting for me.  And any notes that need to be worked right into the manuscript can be converted to text, cut and pasted right where they need to be. Ain’t technology grand?!

So what’s the lesson?

That writers, myself included, spend a lot of time learning how to be better writers but we’re not taught nor do we focus on the revision process. Which I’ve learned is about 70% of the writing process.

I’m now excited and motivated to get these manuscripts polished and ready to submit. I have a journal to track my progress and a plan to make it happen.

Oops!  I neglected to post a hot hero yesterday. I went rock climbing instead.  Gotta love a day playing outside. Anyway, to honor the sport and hot hero Friday, check this guy out!

Nude Rock Climber - Photographed by Peter Torsal

You can see more gorgeous photos at http://www.torsal.de/

So yesterday I took the plunge and purchased a Livescribe pen. If you’re not familiar with these awesome little gadgets, it’s a pen that essentially photographs and records (audio) at the same time.

It’s perfect for the student who is taking notes in class because it also captures what the professor is saying. You then upload your notes onto your computer and you can search them, tag them and even email them or share them for collaboration.

Pretty cool, right?

However, not so great if you’re like me and are really looking for a way to not have to type everything you’ve written longhand. So for a year now, I’ve looked longingly at the Livescribe and thought, “If only.”

Boy was I stupid!

There is a software program that’s compatible with the Livescribe desktop called MyScript that converts your handwritten notes (which have to be written on special Livescribe paper which you can print yourself) into text.

Let me repeat that - it converts your handwritten notes into text.  You can edit the text, cut and paste, email and any other old thing you’d likely do with text.

For me this is a godsend! I tend to have much more productive, creative, and inspiring writing sessions when I can write the old fashioned way (no, not stone tablet and chisel!  Pen and paper.)

What I’ve learned….

My handwriting is atrocious!  Course, I already knew that the pen & software just reinforce it.  It reads print much better than cursive so I’m adapting. It’s worth the effort.  I no longer have to type 10-20 pages a night into my computer. I simply upload, convert and viola!  It’s amazing.

If you haven’t tried the Livescribe pen, check it out. It’s a bit pricey but if you’re like me and you prefer pen & paper form of creative writing then it’s definitely worth the investment. I’m saving hours a night typing and using that time for more worthy purposes - reading & writing of course!

The number of spots left for this year’s RWA conference are dwindling and I’m still ‘debating whether I can/should go. Okay, scratch that, I know I should go and it would be a blast but it’s a lot of $$ that I’m not sure I want to spend.  That’s the dilemma.

I have it on my calendar to decide tomorrow and either start booking my reservations or to scratch it off my list for this year.  We’ll see.

On another note, I’m reading a great book right now on writing by Donald Mass. It’s called The Fire in Fiction. You can read a review for it at www.makealivingwritingromance.com