On my desk sits:
One printed 368-page manuscript.
One 17-page detailed outline.
One 2-page outline summary.
One 2-page list of possible revisions.
Oh, I was so wonderfully organized when I wrapped up the first draft a little over six weeks ago. So detailed. So thorough.
All the good it did me. I don’t remember a frigging thing! It’s like I’m reading somebody else’s work entirely. How is it possible that so much of the story could have fallen out of my head in a mere six weeks?
Which I suppose is the point of stepping away from it and coming back to it later with fresh eyes. The problem is, my eyes are too fresh. And all I can see is one Big Fat Ugly First Draft. The fact that it’s organized does not help one bit. No sir. Not one bit.
Don’t panic. Don’t panic. Don’t panic.