So cute, right? This is Cowgirl's toddler bed. I included both angles so you could enjoy Marisa's beautiful artwork at the head and foot of the bed.
During:
Since Cowgirl is five and a half, it was time to transition her to a big girl bed. But change is hard. Growth sometimes comes with growing pains. And even though she loves her new big girl beds, she still talks about loving her old bed, missing it.
After:
Similarly, we seek out growth for our novels. We ask the tough questions. Should I give up on a project or rewrite? Because the novel doesn't work the way it is. How much should I cut while I revise? Which segues into my next before and after...
Before:
During:
After:
Okay, that's not the same sheep. But isn't the little guy too cute? Hopefully my manuscript will look like that when I'm done revising--from a big woolly mess to an adorable baaing creature. Do you think he is sniffing his mommy's fur?
Sometimes we need visuals to remind us that the pain of making hard choices on a project brings us to a much cleaner, wonderful novel. What questions do you ask yourself when making tough choices on a draft or revision? What visuals do you carry for keeping you to the revision tasks of big decisions or sheering those words?
And, a visual for the romping #amwriting twittergame that Kris (@KristineAsselin) has started for us today:
What occupies your kids so you can write? hashtag #thingsIletmykidsdosoIcanwrite
Come answer on twitter, and follow the hashtag for some laughs!!
Awww, look at her beautiful room and big girl bed! (and Marisa's gorgeous artwork!)
ReplyDeleteI find it so hard to cut out parts in my novel. So hard! But yes, it needs to be done.
I chant "don't be lazy" the whole time I'm editing, revising, otherwise I'd take short cuts.
ReplyDeleteHappy Mother's Day to you!
What a beautiful room! I wonder if Marisa would paint a mural like that for my room...I wonder if Husband would go along with it.
ReplyDeleteKelly--I know! Well worth it in the end.
ReplyDeleteEileen--A great chant. I'll have to use it, I think. :)
Anita--the mural is actually ala disney. the beautiful framed prints are from Marisa. I should take close ups.
Oh I loved Tangled. What a lucky little girl :)
ReplyDeleteIn order to do that necessary "hair cut" (ie shave it all off), I have to step away for a few months. Then I go to my ms with a battle axe. The result isn't as morbid as it sounds...
Happy Mothers' Day!
LOL I LOVE the analogy. And she is sooo cute! As far as things I let my kids do? It sort of resembles Lord of the Flies around here sometimes... Not good. But MOMMY'S WRITING! :D
ReplyDeleteLove her room. And yes, we have to make hard choices when we revise.
ReplyDeleteI love Marisa's art work and the fact that you highlighted in this post and your Twitter game and everything.
ReplyDeleteYAY, Heather!! Your daughter's room is just so darned adorable!!! :)
ReplyDeleteand that little lamb!! LOVE!
Adorable! I'm not showing my little princess that room, she's going to want it. :)
ReplyDeleteFun twittergames today!!
Cowgirl girl is growing up right before my eyes!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter turns 5 next week, and we're having a Tangled party for her. She would love love love this room. I'll keep it in mind as we'll be redocorating her in the weeks to come! Awesome. Looks gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteAlso, great analogy!
what a cute bedroom! i loved tangled, it has the feel of a classic disney princess movie but with a tougher princess capable of saving the prince
ReplyDeleteLove the bedroom!!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about revising. I'm currently rewriting my manuscript, not just revising. It's been a huge undertaking but it's been worth it. I'm writing more concisely then ever, not to mention really shaping up the story. :) Good luck with you revisions.
Barbara--Time away is key for me as well. And, "battle ax" eh? The sheep are glad that you're a writer, not a sheerer.
ReplyDeleteLisa--I'll admit, sometimes it gets a little Lord of the Flies here as well...
Natalie--I'm beginning to think that it's all about those tough choices!
T--I stuck a lot in this post. I think I started mixing metaphors pretty early on...
M--I'm feeling as though your artwork didn't get the fanfare it deserved since it wasn't the focus of the post. I'll have to do another!
K--I want my daughter's room. :)
J--It's happening fast!!
Carol--Happy Birthday to your little big girl!!
Kate--I agree. Finally Disney is changing with the times. Thank goodness!
Sheri--I love when I rewrite, and it comes out tighter than a first draft. Good luck with yours as well!