Sparkly New Idea: It’s shiny, it’s distracting, it might be the best thing you’ve ever thought of!
Baby Panda Idea: A little awkward, very fragile, it might die if someone says a harsh word.
“I’m not writing this, just thinking about it.”: You’re doing a little research, flirting with the idea, trying to talk your way out of it.
“Oops, I wrote some pages.”: Well, dagnabit, now you’ve gone and written a couple of chapters and the next one is right there so you might as well give yourself a week or two to scribble it all down.
Rough Draft: Easily shoved aside for another shiny idea, but maybe something will happen with it.
Early Draft: You feel pretty committed but you aren’t sure. You’re enjoying the newness of the relationship and just going with the flow. Nothing’s official yet.
Editing Draft: That’s it. You committed. This manuscript is getting edited come hell or high water.
Hell Draft: Why did you ever think this was a good idea? Why? Why? Why?
Remember, it’s okay to cry.
Crit Partner Feedback: You have been rescued by your beloved friend who has some constructive feedback and makes encouraging noises. There may be cookies.
Awkward Teenage Manuscript: There’s plot holes, and scenes are growing at different rates. The manuscript has acquired a rather odd smell, it’s dirty, and it keeps fighting you over every little thing.
“Writing sucks!”: You step away from the draft. It’s not worth it. There are other shiny ideas out there. You can find another book to write. You’re just not in love any more. The relationship is over.
Mostly Finished Manuscript: You decided to stay and make it work. You love this book, warts and all. Sure, that one chapter is problematic and may need to be exorcised, but we’ve all got demons. You can make this work.
Finished Manuscript: Well… there it is. The finished thing. Gooey, and floppy, and still kinda smelling like a compost heap, but it’s all there. You just need some elbow grease to polish it into shape.
Beta Reader Feedback: You take the steaming hulk of story to a viewing where your friends politely try to find something other than the smell to comment on. They pat you on the back, hand you a beverage and a knife, and let you get back to work.
Shiny Finished Manuscript: Finally! FINALLY!!! The shiny new idea is a shiny finished manuscript! It’s beautiful! It’s wonderful! It’s done!!!
Bum Manuscript Looking For Publication: You can’t stand one more second living with this book so you kick it out the door. Literary agent? Freelance editor? Small press? You. Do. Not. Care. Just get this manuscript out the door so you can move on with your life. You throw it through the email ether screaming, “Get a job!” and slam the door closed.
Hell Draft II (the revenge of the manuscript): The professionals throw the manuscript back at you, but this time there’s money involved. If you do exactly as they say, you might survive this. Buckle up, grab your water and your favorite blankie, you are editing tonight, baby!
Published Novel: After all that hard work you finally have a beautiful, published novel on the shelves. Sit back, relax, pat yourself on the ba- … wait. What is that you’re scribbling over there? Have you already started another book? Didn’t we talk about this? What are you doing? No! NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Here We Go Again