What Painting has to do with writing…

You may remember, dear reader, that I recently moved into a house built in 1900, in a little Railroad town in Texas.  If you have ever owned an old home, dare I say historic, then you know there is a lot to love, and a few things which are considerably less lovable.  

Full disclosure, I am a frequent painter.  Sherwin Williams employees in my previous hometown greeted me by name, and with enthusiasm, whenever I walked in.  Paint is one of the least expensive ways to transform a space and it is one of my favorites! 

But what does painting have to do with writing?  

A lot, as it happens.  I have been working since before Christmas on a dining room project, which has now extended into the entryway.  Just like you, dear writer, I did my research.  I wanted a color that was period appropriate, and that I could use as a backdrop for period antiques.  (Okay, most of them are the correct period, a few are older.)  I read books, looked at old fabrics, and reproductions of William Morris textiles.  I settled on a nice olive green. 

In a previous note, I wrote about preparing to paint.  ICYMI, here it is.  Today, I want to focus on taking the time to finish strong.  After I primed and painted the first coat, my daughter, who BTW does not mince words, said it looked like snot.  I agreed it was only the first coat, and pressed on undeterred. After the second coat, it looked better, but my husband, who is equally frank, said it was uneven and needed another coat—I had to agree.  After the third coat, most of the room looked good, but whether it was a trick of the light, my eyes, or indeed a deficiency in my painting, one wall needed another pass.  I was tired!  But, I put on my painting clothes (yes, I have painting clothes) once again and hoisted myself up the ladder to roll and  brush a fourth coat.  At last, it looked great!

Here’s the point: 

Sometimes, even if the paint is good paint, it needs several coats.  This color is a 3-4 coat color.  Your novel will need more than one, or probably even two, passes.  Revision is hard!  You will be tired.  However, if you want to be happy with the final product, it is worth hoisting yourself back into your writing chair and doing the work.  Nobody wants a wall, or a novel, that looks like snot.