I’ve been getting feedback on the new ms. from a variety of people, and last night it was Andy’s turn. I came off as being a little stubborn and defensive; both he and bandersnatch_02 haven’t minced any words sharing what they think needs work.

Partly it’s because most of the things they’ve pointed out are things I’ve already realized need work, and it’s frustrating as a writer hearing such “asinine” things. It would be like if I were a house painter, and I’d only half-finished painting a house, and I asked someone what they thought of it so far, and they said, “Well, don’t you realize this whole side over here hasn’t been touched?”

And partly it’s because I feel strongly about the choices I’ve made thus far and want to shore up what’s there and make it work, make it work better.

And partly it’s because there is always a disconnect between what a WRITER finds useful when it comes to using feedback towards revision, and what a READER feels compelled to express when it comes time to criticize something.

So I think I will probably not share any further “complete” drafts for awhile until I feel very sure that what’s there is pretty much COMPLETE. I think in my excitement to share the work-in-progress I’ve been a bit too hasty. The next drafts will be about cutting back the weaknesses and reinforcing what’s strong.

But as I’ve said before (though everyone has seemed dubious about my sincerity) I DO appreciate the blunt forms of criticism, the harshness of saying, “Look, this just doesn’t work.” I can use it to improve something; or, even if I don’t agree, it lets me know where someone is coming from.

Saturday I will start a new draft by RETYPING the whole ms. by hand. That probably sounds insane in our electronic age, but doing it manually is the only way I trust myself to pay strict attention to EVERY WORD.