Think I'm finally starting to get the hang of this!

[wildheart90]

I've been working on and off on the course for a long time. The first Lesson took me months to do, partly because it was so wrecked I was wasting hours on a few pages...and the rest because I'd get so depressed I'd have to take a break. It was tough getting through, but I finally did it, only to be killed by Lesson 2. For some reason...this lesson was even harder than the first and I was so close to just throwing in then towel and starting again, because I was COMPLETELY convinced that my book was wrecked. I took a break, got back to it and finally finished it! Now, for about a week, I've been on Lesson 3. It's going much more smoothly. I'm hoping that I can get to Lesson 10 by my birthday

Maybe this isn't a true Erueka, I don't know. But I feel like I can do this now. I feel like from here on it...It's really going to get better. I'm starting to understand what it takes to make a good book. And I think maybe I can get my book to that point. It'll take a ton of work, but others have done the same with a wrecked book, so I know I can do the same.

You all can do this too. No matter how bad you think your book is, you'll make it a hundred times better with this course. You just have to take the time to read the lessons and apply it to your work as best as you can. Let's write and rock on!

[Kate]

I was so close to just throwing in then towel and starting again, because I was COMPLETELY convinced that my book was wrecked. I took a break, got back to it and finally finished it!
...
Maybe this isn't a true Erueka, I don't know. But I feel like I can do this now.

Sounds plenty Eureka-y to me! I'm impressed by your tenacity and spirit!

[Larkk]

That seems to be the key to this whole process; no matter how one feels about the book, even if one day it’s coming together, but the next it all seems like an abysmal waste of time, just keep going at it anyway.
There is so much to learn from this course. I’m glad to hear you’re finding what works for you!

[jollygreen23]

Sometimes the harder it is, the bigger the payoff.

[FeliciaFredlund]

Woop, woop! I'd say this was an Eureka moment. Because it's a moment when you feel triumph or when you've managed to surpass something.
I hope it continues to go well!

[Cat-Gerlach]

It's a great Eureka. Write "Never give up, never surrender!" on a slip of paper and pin it over you monitor (It's a line from the movie Space Quest).

[wildheart90]

Thank you Kate I didn't think it was a big deal since so many people are flying through this course and I feel so behind...but it DOES feel amazing to be able to say I'm not going to give up on my book. I think, to really be a writer, you've gotta have spirit and tenacity. So you all have it too!

Larkk I agree with you 100%! I know I will never stop learning from this course. Each time through will be a different journey, bringing something else to the table. It's well worth the cost so far. Yup, even if our books DO happen to be wrecked, I still think its important to get through the revision. For me more so because I have never truely revised before. Not anything other than line editing anyway. So this is a huge step for me.

That's what I'm hoping for Emily! For you as well!

Felicia I'm hoping it continues to go well too! My next worry is Lesson 7...I've never been the best worldbuilder so it will be tough. How far are you in Lesson 1? You're still new, but I thought I saw somewhere else that you were almost finished with the lesson? And I guess it is a Eureka moment because I DO feel like I've overcome quite a bit!

Space Quest is an awesome movie! And an idea that I should take heart Cat!

Thanks all for your supportive responses. I'm crossing my fingers it continues to go well.

p.s- My SFRs aren't great. Some are downright horrible. But at least I'm understanding what I'm doing and WHY certain scenes don't work. Before I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Oh, and I'm also glad because I'm sure it won't take me months to complete either.

[annelyle]

Excellent breakthrough, wildheart - and good for you for persevering! I can attest to the fact that Holly's course is brilliant for untangling the wreckage of a derailed plot and restoring it to shiny working order, so I expect she can work wonders with other problems too!

It's a great Eureka. Write "Never give up, never surrender!" on a slip of paper and pin it over you monitor (It's a line from the movie Space Quest).

SF nitpick - it's actually "Galaxy Quest" - one of my favourite movies

"By Grabthar's Hammer, you will be avenged!"

[FeliciaFredlund]

Felicia I'm hoping it continues to go well too! My next worry is Lesson 7...I've never been the best worldbuilder so it will be tough. How far are you in Lesson 1? You're still new, but I thought I saw somewhere else that you were almost finished with the lesson? And I guess it is a Eureka moment because I DO feel like I've overcome quite a bit!

I was going to revise a novel I wrote with a friend, but right after I begun I didn't really feel comfortable doing it. I bought HTRYN some time May/June last year so I'm getting HTWAS and doing that instead. I don't have a novel I've written by myself...yet. I'm also planning to join HTTS in the next few days. Hopefully I'll have a finished first draft before the year is over and maybe I'll be revising it beginning of next year instead.

[Cat-Gerlach]

SF nitpick - it's actually "Galaxy Quest" - one of my favourite movies

"By Grabthar's Hammer, you will be avenged!"

You're right of course. And it's one of my favorites too.

[Texanne]

Wildheart--it's a great Eureka! moment. Thanks for letting us know that you've experienced these feelings and worked through them. Never give up. TX

[Wanderer]

Thank you Kate I didn't think it was a big deal since so many people are flying through this course and I feel so behind...but it DOES feel amazing to be able to say I'm not going to give up on my book.

I doubt there are many people actually 'flying through this course', but if it seems that way sometimes it's probably because most of us, when we're feeling discouraged, have a tendency to keep quiet. That's why it's so important to grit our teeth and keep going until we get to one of those 'Eureka' moments-- so we can say to the others, "I almost gave up, too- but I'm s-o-o-o-o glad I didn't!' Also important when you really think you might give up to come back to the forums and get encouragement. I'm firmly convinced we never really do anything alone. As Barbara Sher says, "Isolation is the dream killer." I am so incredibly lucky to have found this course- and all you wonderful people!

[Artemis]

Nope, not flying through the course here. Some of the lessons go a lot faster than others and it really depends on your book. I'm on Lesson 14 and I just spent a grueling Lesson 13. Before that, Lesson 7 nearly ate my soul, but it showed me where my weaknesses were and also where my strengths are.

Never give up, never surrender. Love that movie! And congratulations on persevering! A toast of virtual champagne to all who are braving this course.